Late actor, John Paul popular as “Junior Pope” Odonwodo has been immortalised by the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).
AGN immortalised the actor who died in a boat mishap while returning from a movie location by unveiling a land project in his honour, tagged Nollywood City.
Located in Enugu State, Nollywood City comprises 150 plots of land. Nollywood sources described the project as a project that will grant Nollywood stars access to affordable land.
The AGN also allocated one plot of land each in Nollywood City to three of Junior Pope’s sons as a legacy for their father’s contribution to the AGN and the Nollywood industry in general
Speaking at the ceremony for Junior Pope Nollywood City at Ako Nike, Enugu State, on Tuesday, January 27, the National President of AGN, Emeka-Rollas Ejezie, described the event as historic and the beginning of a lasting legacy.
Emeka Rollas
Ejezie said the Nollywood City was dedicated to the memory of the late Junior Pope, a man whose life embodied discipline, excellence, and a deep love for the Nigerian film industry.
He said: “Though he left us too soon, his spirit continues to inspire us to build structures that will outlive us all.
Late Junior Pope
“It is the planting of a seed that will grow into shelter, opportunity, unity, and remembrance.”
The president explained that the city was a practical demonstration of AGN’s commitment to the welfare of its members.
He noted that for too long, actors had contributed immensely to Nigeria’s cultural identity without adequate institutional support.
Ejezie added: “Today, we say clearly that the welfare of our members is not a slogan – it is a responsibility.
“Through this project, Nollywood practitioners will have access to affordable land ownership.
“The Guild will establish the Junior Pope Creative Hub and permanent AGN Zonal and Enugu State Secretariat.
“This means training, administration, and creativity will now have a physical home in Enugu State.”
The AGN National President-elect, Alhaji Abubakar Yakubu, pledged that the incoming executive would make the project a top priority.
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On his part, the Chairman of AGN’s Enugu Chapter and initiator of the project, Brown Ene, said the land was acquired to promote the image of Nollywood and improve the welfare of its members.
Ene said: “So this is part of our progress in making sure that members of our guild have an affordable home in Enugu, and we are naming it after our brother who died in a boat mishap to further immortalise him.
“It is also to encourage younger actors, showing them that the more you keep projecting the image of the organisation and being responsible enough, the guild will definitely do things to remember you.
“Junior Pope’s three sons will have a plot of land each, and the allocation has already been done and will be presented to their mother on their behalf.”
Junior Pope’s wife, Jennifer Odonwodo, who was present at the Nollywood City unveiling ceremony, expressed gratitude to the guild for immortalising her late husband with the new city and for allocating plots of land to her three children.
She said: “It’s indeed a great day, even though it’s a day filled with mixed feelings and emotions.
“I wish he were here and still being honoured, but I’m happy it’s happening.
“It’s proof to show that indeed he truly lives on because while he was here, he worked so hard for the industry,” she concluded.
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