Boat accident: Survivor recounts Junior Pope’s last minutes

TC, one of the survivors of the boat mishap that killed Nollywood actor, Pope Obumneme Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, has recounted his last minutes before the incident.

TC disclosed that lack of experience on the part of the person sailing the boat led to the accident.

Four actors, including Junior Pope, died on Wednesday when their boat capsized on the Anam River in Anambra State while returning from a movie location.

Speaking during an Instagram Live session, TC said: “Before I entered the boat, the first thing Junior Pope asked me was ‘What I’m I doing?’ And I said I was observing the water people. I can’t pass without sharing something. I have given them Fanta, so I don’t want anything bad to happen to me. Junior Pope agreed.

“While we were going, the boat guy was wearing an earpiece, and Junior Pope was doing a video, I saw a small canoe with fishermen in front and due to his lack of experience, he drove right into the last point of the canoe and we somersaulted.”

Born on May 7,1984, in Bamenda, Cameroon to a Nigerian father (Luke Odonwodo) who is from the Ukehe tribe in Enugu state and a Cameroonian mother, Pope spent his early years in the Central African country, where he completed his primary and secondary education before relocating to Nigeria.

Pope discovered his passion for acting while studying accounting at the University of Nigeria (Nsukka). His breakout role came in 2007 with Tchidi Chikere’s film, ‘Secret Adventures’.

Whether he took the roles of a bodyguard, kidnap kingpin, palace attendant, or servant, Pope showcased remarkable versatility, captivating audiences in diverse roles. From the complexities of dramas like ‘Bitter Generation’ to the comedic brilliance displayed in sitcoms like ‘Professor Johnbull’, the actor was super talented.

The film star’s multicultural upbringing was a key aspect of his identity which contributed to shaping his perspective as an actor and public figure.