The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) on Tuesday, January 27, honoured late Nollywood actor John Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, with the Nollywood city project in Enugu east local government area of Enugu state.
The project located at Ako Nike consists of 150 plots of land aimed at preserving his legacy and designed to promote affordable home ownership for Nollywood practitioners.
In addition, the guild allocated one plot of land each to Junior Pope’s three sons as a posthumous recognition of their father’s contributions to the AGN and Nigerian film industry.
Junior Pope died in April 2024 alongside four colleagues after their boat capsized on Anam river in Anambra state while returning from a movie shoot.
The national president of AGN, Emeka-Rollas Ejezie, speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of Junior Pope Nollywood City, described the initiative as a historic milestone and a lasting tribute to a man who exemplified discipline, excellence, and commitment to Nollywood.
Ejezie said the project was conceived to ensure that Junior Pope’s impact on the industry would endure beyond his lifetime.
“Though he left us too soon, his spirit continues to inspire us to build structures that will outlive us all.
“What we are doing here today is the planting of a seed that will grow into shelter, opportunity, unity, and remembrance,” he said.
Ejezie explained that the project would serve both welfare and institutional purposes, noting that actors had long played a key role in shaping Nigeria’s cultural identity without corresponding institutional support.
He disclosed that the project would also host the Junior Pope Creative Hub, as well as permanent AGN zonal and Enugu state secretariats, providing a physical base for training, administration, and creative collaboration.
He commended the AGN Enugu state chapter for initiating the project, adding that the development would further reinforce the state’s position within Nigeria’s creative industry.
He also acknowledged the support of the Enugu state government, Cool Brains Real Estate, and the Ako Nike community for their cooperation.
The AGN national president-elect, Abubakar Yakubu, pledged that the incoming national executive would prioritize the completion of the project.
Chairman of the AGN Enugu chapter and initiator of the project, Brown Ene, said the land was acquired to enhance members’ welfare and promote the image of Nollywood.
Ene explained that naming the city after Junior Pope was intended to immortalise his legacy and inspire younger actors to uphold professionalism and loyalty to the guild.
He confirmed that the three plots allocated to Junior Pope’s sons had already been processed and would be formally presented to their mother on their behalf.
Junior Pope’s widow, Jennifer Odonwodo, expressed appreciation to the guild for the honour bestowed on her late husband and her children.
She said the initiative is proof that her husband’s hard work and dedication to Nollywood truly live on.
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