In order to honour the late Nollywood actor John Paul Odonwodo, also known as Junior Pope, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) unveiled Junior Pope Nollywood City in Enugu State, which consists of 150 land parcels. The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has unveiled Junior Pope Nollywood City in Enugu State, comprising 150 plots of land aimed at immortalising the late Nollywood actor, JohnPaul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope.
As a tribute to their father’s contributions to the AGN and the Nollywood industry as a whole, the guild also gave one piece of land to each of Junior Pope’s three sons.
While filming a movie in April 2025, Junior Pope and four of his coworkers perished when their boat overturned in the Anam River.
Speaking at the Junior Pope Nollywood City groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at Ako Nike in Enugu State, Mr. Emeka-Rollas Ejezie, National President of AGN, called the occasion historic and the start of an enduring legacy.
According to him, the project is dedicated in honour of the late Junior Pope, a man whose life exemplified excellence, discipline, and a strong passion for the Nigerian film industry.
Even though he passed away too soon, his spirit still motivates us to construct buildings that will outlive all of us.
According to Ejezie, “it is the sowing of a seed that will grow into shelter, opportunity, unity, and remembrance.”
He clarified that the city was a tangible example of AGN’s dedication to its members’ well-being, pointing out that for far too long, actors had made significant contributions to Nigeria’s cultural identity without sufficient institutional support.
Today, we state unequivocally that ensuring the well-being of our members is a duty rather than a catchphrase. Nollywood professionals will have access to reasonably priced land ownership thanks to this project.
The Guild will create a permanent AGN Zonal and Enugu State Secretariat in addition to the Junior Pope Creative Hub.
He clarified, “This means that Enugu State will now have a physical home for training, administration, and creativity.”
Ejezie praised the AGNN Enugu Chapter for the endeavour, pointing out that Enugu has long been a significant hub for the arts and culture and that the project would reinforce that status.
“We especially thank the Enugu State Government for supporting Nollywood and acknowledging the creative sector as a key driver of economic expansion and youth employment.
“I express my gratitude to our partners, Cool Brains Real Estate, and the residents of the Akoo Nike Community for their cooperation and trust,” he stated.
Alhaji Abubakar Yakubu, the AGN National President-elect, promised that the incoming administration would prioritise the projecta topp.
Brown Ene, the project’s initiator and chairman of AGN’s Enugu Chapter, stated that the land was purchased to enhance Nollywood’s reputation and the well-being of its members.
Thus, this is a step towards ensuring that members of our guild
possess a reasonably priced residence in Enugu and
To further honour our brother, who perished in a boat accident, we are naming it after him.
Additionally, it serves to inspire the younger actors by demonstrating to them that the guild will undoubtedly take steps to remember them if they continue to project the organization’s image and are sufficiently responsible.
According to Ene, “Junior Pope’s three sons will each receive a plot of land; the allocation has already been completed and will be presented to their mother on their behalf.”
In response, Mrs. Jennifer Odonwodo, the wife of Junior Pope, thanked the guild for giving her three children land plots and immortalising her late husband with the new city.
Even though it’s a day full of conflicting emotions, it’s still a wonderful day.
“I’m glad it’s happening, but I wish he were still here and being honoured.”
“He worked so hard for the industry while he was here, so it’s proof that he truly lives on,” she remarked.
