Nollywood director and producer, Tchidi Chikere, has finally opened up on his relationship with Junior Pope, the young actor who died recently in a boat accident in Anambra State as well as how he also made him a star.
In an emotional piece shared on his social media handles, he began the story thus:
“My boy. My son. Adieu. I feel like a man who has lost a son. You came to dance in my music video. I paid you and you said ‘Thank you sir.’ I was touched by your gratefulness and I asked my production manager to call you back. I took your number and told you I’d push your career cos out of all the people I paid that day, you were the only one who said THANK YOU. So one month later and after auditions, I cast you in a leading role in the movie, DEEPER THAN FACES. I surrounded you with established actors like Tonto Dikeh. Uche Elendu and the legend, Uncle Pete Edochie. Cos I knew casting you among them would make you fly. And fly you did. I carried your career – AMAKA MUSTAPHA. BE NOT AFRAID. NEW JOY etcetera, and you kept flying.
“Others began to cast you and I was happy watching you grow. Casting you as Churchill, son of the legendary actor, Kanayo O Kanayo in GLOBACOM’s sitcom, Professor Johnbull, was one of the best decisions of my career because again, you showed your versatility.
“I don’t know how this happened, it’s only God that knows. JP, for me, you are not dead, you have only gone to another level. That is the only way I can cope with this terrible news. We will keep holding the flag until we meet again”.
Junior Pope died on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, leaving behind a young wife, three sons and a blossoming career.
May his soul continue to rest in peace…