The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has honored the late actor John Paul "Junior Pope" Odonwodo by inaugurating a Nollywood City in Enugu State.
This newly unveiled city consists of 150 plots of land, intended to provide Nollywood personalities with more accessible land opportunities.
As part of the tribute, the AGN has granted one plot of land each to three of Junior Pope’s sons, as a recognition of their father's significant impact on the AGN and the broader Nollywood landscape.
During the inauguration event for the Junior Pope Nollywood City in Ako Nike, Enugu State on Tuesday, January 27, AGN's National President, Emeka-Rollas Ejezie, labeled the occasion as a historic moment and the dawn of a formidable legacy.
Ejezie remarked that the initiative is dedicated to the late Junior Pope, a figure whose life epitomized discipline, excellence, and an unyielding passion for Nigeria’s film sector.
He expressed: “Even though he departed too early, his essence continues to motivate us to create structures that will endure beyond all of us.
“It is like planting a seed that will flourish into shelter, opportunity, unity, and remembrance.”
The AGN leader emphasized that the project serves as a tangible evidence of the Guild’s dedication to the welfare of its members.
He pointed out that actors have significantly contributed to Nigeria’s cultural identity without sufficient institutional support over the years.
Ejezie added: “Today, we clearly affirm that our members’ welfare is not just a slogan – it’s an obligation.
“Through this endeavor, practitioners in Nollywood will gain access to reasonably priced land ownership.
“The Guild plans to set up the Junior Pope Creative Hub, along with a permanent AGN Zonal and Enugu State Secretariat.
“This signifies that training, administration, and creativity will have a dedicated space in Enugu State.”
The National President-elect of AGN, Alhaji Abubakar Yakubu, pledged that the incoming administration would prioritize this project.
Brown Ene, the Chairman of AGN’s Enugu Chapter and project initiator, mentioned that the land was procured to enhance the image of Nollywood and uplift the welfare of its members.
Ene stated: “This is part of our commitment to ensure that our guild members have an affordable place to call home in Enugu. We are naming it after our brother who tragically passed in a boat accident to further honor his memory.
“It is also to motivate younger actors, illustrating that responsible representation of the organization will lead to the Guild making gestures to commemorate you.”
He affirmed that Junior Pope’s three sons have each been allocated a plot of land, and the allocations will be formally presented to their mother on their behalf.
Present at the ceremony was Junior Pope’s wife, Jennifer Odonwodo, who expressed her appreciation to the Guild for memorializing her late husband and for granting her three children land allocations.
She commented: “This is indeed a momentous day, though it’s filled with mixed emotions.
“I wish he were here to witness this honor, yet I feel grateful that it’s taking place.
“It is a testament that he lives on, as he dedicated himself tirelessly to this industry.”
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