Anam People’s Assembly (APA worldwide), the umbrella body of Anam people in Anambra West Local Government Area, Anambra State, has debunked the rumour of demanding for the burial of late Nollywood actor, Junior Pope at the river side; describing such allegations as unfounded, baseless, malicious and an imagination of mischief makers.
The apex body on behalf of the entire Anam people, therefore, warned junk journalists and fake rumour mongers to immediately desist from linking Anam’s name to the unfounded allegations.
In a press statement signed by the President General of APA, Mr. Alex Okonkwo and the Secretary General of the body, Mr. Chuma Nduba Chibuogu, they described the death of the popular Nollywood actor and others as very unfortunate.
They clarified that the death of Junior Pope and the others occurred in River Niger which is surrounded by Onono-Umuikwu Anam in Anambra West, Anambra State on the eastern side and Asaba, Delta State on the western side.
The statement reads: “May his soul rest in peace; joining his ancestors in good fate. Having prayed for him, it should be placed on notice and for record purposes that there was never and can never be a call of any sort, demanding, mandating, insinuating or instructing that anyone that died in any part of river/water, near Anam should be buried at the river bank or anywhere around where such death occurred.
“We, the Anam People’s Assembly (Worldwide), debunk that misleading rumour, alleging that we demanded that the remains of Jnr POPE should be buried in Anam. Once more , may his gentle soul rest in peace!”
Meanwhile, APA’s reaction followed a report that the “people of Anam are determined to bury the Nollywood actor, Junior Pope Odonwodo beside the Anam River.”
The malicious report claimed that “according to the community, this burial is necessary for the well-being of his children and the community as a whole. They strongly believe that failing to do so will result in severe spiritual consequences and heavy repercussions.”
A prominent indigene told this reporter that “Even Anam people who are very familiar with water also drown in water; but do not bury such people beside the river as alleged by this fake story” he said.
“Therefore, if they don’t do it to their own dead body, why will someone ever imagine that they would do it to someone who is not their kinsman. Moreover, there is no particular river in Anam known as Anam River.
“Fake and junk journalists should please allow Nigerians and the deceased families to peacefully mourn the painful exit of the actors.”
