Nollywood actress, Okoli Mather Chinonye well known as Okoli Classic in her verified instagram page made a status post few minutes ago; indicating that all is not okay with her and she can no longer pretend over it.

Okoli Classic who became well known when she received a ₦2,000,000 gift from a Nigeria music icon and a good hearted humanitarian, David Adeleke aka Davido was among the passengers and artistes in the two boats that collided around Cable point area of River Niger at Asaba in Delta State on Wednesday, killing a popular Nollywood actor, John Paul Obumneme Odonwodo aka Junior Pope, and four other artistes confirmed dead with three other crew members declared missing.

A post on the actress verified instagram page status on Wednesday, indicated that Okoli Classic was in trauma but safe and she will be fine. But on Thursday, around 9:30am, there was another status update on the page, indicating that the actress is not okay and she can no longer pretend over it.

The status message posted few minutes ago reads in quote: “My heart is heavy. I’m tired of pretending that I’m okay when I’m not. Dear God, give me your strength to survive these storms”.

Junior Pope was seen in a video lifeless on sick bed and surrounded by some top Nollywood artistes at St Joseph Catholic Hospital in Asaba. The remains of the actor was seen in the video being prepared for mortuary keep.

The Hospital is yet to issue an official statement to know if the actor was rushed to the hospital alive or dead.

Dat Cynred, one of the artistes that participated in the movie production leading to the boats accidents posted two videos of two boats filled with about 20 persons, cruising at the river bank of River Niger with one of the passengers, holding and ringing a bell.

Superstition believers said the gods of the Anam river get angry whenever someone rings a bell in the river or near the river on the village Eke Market day. Yesterday Wednesday was said to be one of the main market days, “Eke Market” in the village.

Dat Cynred stated in quote: “I was on set with Junior Pope, Okoli Classic and TC Virus yesterday at Anam. We shot and crossed the water together peacefully today. I entered another boat only to find out that their boat capsized, now we are yet to find 3 crew members who were drowned as well Pope is currently responding and fighting to stay alive please help me thank God for his mercies over my life”

Nollywood Actors Guild of Nigeria  President, Ejezie Emeka Rollas, confirms the death of actor Junior Pope, says the body of one other crew member has been found while those of three others are still missing.

In a statement he personally signed and made available on Thursday, the Actors Guild suspends all movies involving riverine area and boat riding and banned artistes in the country from acting or participating in any movie to be produced by Adanma Luke

Adanma is the producer of the movie “The Other Side Of Life” that actor Junior Pope was featuring in before his death.

The Actors Guild also suspend all movie production at all locations in the country today Thursday in honour of the departed souls.

An eyewitness in a video posted on the internet recounted that the two boats were on top speed and had a head on collision as the drivers couldn’t notice each other on time.

The Eyewitness said another boat who was crossing the river quickly rescued TC Virus and others who were holding the boat. The rescuers were about going when they were informed that there were other persons still inside the river. Hence the rescuers returned to the river and discovered one person floating lifelessly on the river and Junior Pope was also seen in the river.

OsazuwaAkonedo had reported that Nollywood actor, John Paul Obumneme Odonwodo well known as Junior Pope who is a native of Ukehe village in Igbo-Etiti local government area of Enugu State is currently battling for life at an hospital in Asaba, the Delta State Capital after he was pulled out like a lifeless body from River Niger on Wednesday evening..

Junior Pope had on Wednesday morning around 8am, posted a self recorded video of him on Tuesday using a speed boat to cross the River Niger without putting on a life safety jacket.

On Wednesday evening, a video posted online by residents around the river bank in Asaba, showed that Junior Pope was recovered from the River looking lifeless on the ground with people crying as if he has died.

Thereafter, another video around 6pm surfaced on the internet with some residents reviving  him with the heat of wood burning fire set up close to him. Some persons in the video were heard praying for his revival and asking God to give him a second chance.

Around 7pm, a lot of other new videos were posted online indicating that the Nollywood actor, Junior Pope have been revived and he was seen in one of the videos being rushed to the hospital.

One of the videos also showed that a very large crowd of people besieged the hospitaal with some of them in high jubilation and thankful praises that the actor is alive and responding to first aid treatment apparently from non medical first aiders.

Earlier on Wednesday morning, Junior Pope in the video he posted on his verified Instagram account, captioned the video and said:

“See me lamenting……The risk we take to entertain you ; crossing river niger yesterday with no life jacket…… Na wahoooooo …. Who does that??”

In the video, Junior Pope said: “Take it easy, I am an only child, na only me my mama born, I have three children and na me go take care of them”

According to reports, four actors including Junior Pope fell into Anam River in Anambra State, on their way to a movie location and they were recovered and brought out  from the river as if they were dead.

One of the videos showed that the rescue team covered the face of one of the victims with a cloth indicating the person must have died. But Junior Pope face was left opened which also suggest that he has chances of being revived.

The 39-year-old actor married to Jennifer Awele in 2014. They have three children together.

Junior Pope posted a new house he bought in December, 2023.

Osazuwa Akonedo

Osazuwa Akonedo is a Nigerian media professional, author, and consultant. His work spans various sectors of communication and literature: Journalism and Media: He is the founder of OsazuwaAkonedo, which focuses on news analysis and commentary. He also provides consultancy services in media and banking. Literature: He is a published playwright and author of Nigerian literature. One of his notable works is the drama titled The End Shall Tell: What Exam Malpractice Can Cause, which addresses educational and social issues in Nigeria. Reporting: He frequently reports on regional news, particularly concerning Edo State and broader Nigerian current affairs. Credit: Google Gemini AI Mode Osazuwa Akonedo is a Nigerian media creator, journalist, and entrepreneur who engages audiences via news reporting, social media content, music, and a mobile application. Professional Background and Company Osazuwa Akonedo is associated with OSAZUWAAKONEDO LIMITED, a company registered in Nigeria that operates in media consultancy and news services  The company is headquartered in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, and has been active in publishing news in various formats including text, audio, video, and photos  Social Media and Online Platforms Osazuwa Akonedo maintains a strong online presence on several platforms: TikTok: Shares news updates and reports, for example, covering police operations in Nigeria  YouTube: Operates a channel where he uploads videos on current affairs and news content  Twitter/X: Active under the handle @akonedo_osazuwa, posting updates on events and news  Facebook: Profiles listing his connection to news and media activities can be found on Facebook  Mobile App: Offers a dedicated mobile application for news access through Google Play (Osazuwa Akonedo News App) providing text, video, and photo news formats  News Reporting and Content He produces news content covering national and local stories, including criminal activities, government updates, and investigative reports   His reporting spans multiple formats, making it accessible to a wide audience through online platforms, mobile apps, and social media  Other Contributions In addition to journalism, Osazuwa Akonedo has also ventured into audio releases, such as “Former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami Begs Nigerians For Justice” released on January 25, 2026   He also hosts podcasts documenting significant events, e.g, NDLEA arrests related to historical criminal cases  Summary Osazuwa Akonedo is a multifaceted media professional engaged in journalism, social media content creation, music, and technology via his news app. He utilizes platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Twitter/X, Facebook, and mobile applications to disseminate news and reach audiences both locally and internationally Credit: Azure AI

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