- The Actors Guild of Nigeria has unveiled Junior Pope Nollywood City in Enugu State to honour late actor Junior Pope.
- The project includes 150 plots of land, with three plots allocated to his sons, and will house a creative hub and AGN offices. The initiative underscores AGN’s commitment to member welfare and preserving the actor’s legacy.
The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has officially unveiled Junior Pope Nollywood City in Enugu State, a housing and creative development dedicated to immortalising late Nollywood actor JohnPaul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope.
The project, which comprises 150 plots of land, was launched at a groundbreaking ceremony held on Tuesday at Ako Nike, Enugu State. As part of the initiative, the guild also allocated one plot of land each to Junior Pope’s three sons, securing a lasting legacy for the actor’s family.
Junior Pope tragically lost his life in April 2025, alongside four colleagues, when their boat capsized in the Anam River while returning from a movie shoot.
Speaking at the event, AGN National President, Mr Emeka-Rollas Ejezie, described the unveiling as historic and symbolic of a legacy that would endure beyond generations.
He said the project was dedicated to the memory of Junior Pope, whom he described as a man whose life embodied discipline, excellence, and deep love for the Nigerian film industry.
“Though he left us too soon, his spirit continues to inspire us to build structures that will outlive us all.
“It is the planting of a seed that will grow into shelter, opportunity, unity, and emembrance,” Ejezie said.
Ejezie noted that the city represents AGN’s renewed commitment to the welfare of its members, stressing that actors had long contributed to Nigeria’s cultural identity without sufficient institutional support.
“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,” he explained.
He commended the AGN Enugu Chapter for spearheading the initiative and acknowledged Enugu’s long-standing role as a cultural and artistic hub.
“We are particularly grateful to the Enugu State Government for embracing Nollywood and recognising the creative industry as a vital pillar of economic growth and youth employment.
“I thank our partners, Cool Brains Real Estate, and the people of Ako Nike Commuity for their trust and cooperation,” he said.
The AGN National President-elect, Alhaji Abubakar Yakubu, also pledged that the incoming executive would make the completion of the project a top priority.
On his part, Chairman of AGN Enugu Chapter and initiator of the project, Brown Ene, said the land was acquired to promote Nollywood’s image while improving members’ welfare.
“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 give encouragement to the 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 plot of land each and the allocation has already been done and will be presented to their mother on their behalf,” Ene said.
Responding on behalf of the family, Junior Pope’s wife, Mrs Jennifer Odonwodo, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the guild for the honour bestowed on her late husband and their children.
“It’s indeed a great day, even though it’s a day filled with mixed feelings and emotions.
“I wish he was here and still being honoured, but nevertheless I’m happy it’s happening.
“It’s a proof to show that indeed he truly lives on because while he was here, he worked so hard for the industry,” she said.
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