The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has immortalised the late actor John Paul “Junior Pope” Odonwodo by unveiling a Nollywood City in Enugu State.

 

The unveiled city comprises of 150 plots of land. Nollywood City is described as a project that will grant Nollywood stars access to affordable land.

 

The AGN also allocated one plot of land each to three of Junior Pope’s sons as a legacy for their father’s contribution to the AGN and the Nollywood industry in general

 

Speaking at the ceremony for Junior Pope Nollywood City at Ako Nike, Enugu State on Tuesday, Jan. 27, the National President of AGN, Emeka-Rollas Ejezie, described the event as historic and the beginning of a lasting legacy.

 

Ejezie said the project was dedicated to the memory of the late Junior Pope, a man whose life embodied discipline, excellence, and a deep love for the Nigerian film industry.

 

He said: “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 remembrance.”

 

The president explained that the city was a practical demonstration of AGN’s commitment to the welfare of its members.

 

He noted that for too long, actors had contributed immensely to Nigeria’s cultural identity without adequate institutional support.

 

Ejezie added: “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.”

 

The AGN National President-elect, Alhaji Abubakar Yakubu, pledged that the incoming executive would make the project top priority.

 

On his part, the Chairman of AGN’s Enugu Chapter and initiator of the project, Brown Ene, said the land was acquired to promote the image of Nollywood and improve the welfare of its members.

 

Ene said: “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 di£d 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 a plot of land each and the allocation has already been done and will be presented to their mother on their behalf.”

 

Junior Pope’s wife, Jennifer Odonwodo, who was present at the ceremony, expressed gratitude to the guild for immortalising her late husband with the new city and for allocating plots of land to her three children.

 

She said: “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.”