Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Hope Samuel, has called for a positive change in the approach of the movie industry to the essential issue of health care.

The actress said this in an interview session – as she emphasized the importance of inclining a high priority on self-care. She suggested organizing programmes to teach actors and movie-crew members how to look after themselves rather than putting their entire attention on their jobs only.

In her words: “We need change. If I were put in charge, l will organize seminars on how to take care of ourselves while we are still strong. A lot of us work, work and work without taking good care of ourselves and before long, we fall sick and begin to treat ourselves with our life’s savings, because of neglect over the years.”

“People are dying and falling sick because of total disregard for their well-being. This is not right”

Nollywood stars who have recently passed away due to health issues include John Okafor (also known as Mr. Ibu), whose leg was amputated due to blood clot issues; Jimi Solanke, who died while being transported to a hospital; Deji Aderemi, who fought an undisclosed illness; Amaechi Muonagor, who died battling kidney disease; and Sisi Quadri who died after a brief illness.

Hope Samuel is really passionate this, as she is seriously advocating for actors to give top priority to their health and general well-being.

She is a talented actor – and over the years, has produced movies, which include ‘Kiki’s Dilemma’, ‘Sweet Candy’, and ‘The Love I Found’. She also featured in movies, which include ‘Cold Vengeance’, ‘Devil’s Orchard’, ‘Whispering Notes’, ‘Long Way Home’, ‘Ink of the Gods’, ‘Akawo’, and ‘My Last Life’.

It was an all-out emotional situation, as sadness and grief enveloped the town of Uwala Abaka, Ukehe, Igboetiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Friday, May 17, 2024, as the body of actor John Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, was laid to rest.

Actually, it had earlier been reported that the burial rites would commence at 10:00 am with a commendation mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Parish, Ukehe, and lying-in-state at his father’s compound, where family members, well-wishers, colleagues and friends had the final glimpse of the late actor before the body was moved to a private venue for internment at about 1:30 pm.

The atmosphere at the burial ceremony was sombre as colleagues and fans gathered to pay their last respects to the late actor.

The late actor’s wife, Jennifer Awele, couldn’t roll back tears as she was sighted weeping profusely at the commencement of the final funeral procession.

Reports had it that the 43-year-old actor died alongside four other people on April 10, after their boat capsized in the Anam River, in Anambra State, while returning from a movie shoot.

While speaking at the burial ceremony, veteran actress Rita Edochie said that she was heartbroken when she heard the sad news of Junior Pope’s death. She said it’s very painful to her and numerous people, especially those that are fans of the late actor and Nollywood.

Other actors at the burial ceremony were also seen in a very sad mood, expressing grief about the demise of the actor. May his soul continue to rest in peace.

Renowned music executive and producer, Michael Collins Ajereh, famously known as Don Jazzy, had recently offered tips to fans on how to handle critics.

He urged fans not to be agitated or distracted by criticisms especially at the time that have achieved success as a result of the attainment of their goals – because the critics never cared or bothered about them when they were striving to achieve success.

More so, he said paying attention to critics is a form of distraction and setting for discouragement, as critics would always speak negative things in order to cause demotivation that could lead to inability of achieving success.

Don Jazzy, On Saturday, May 18, 2024, shared this on his ‘X handle’; where he wrote: “Nobody gives a damn about you when you are suffering and grinding. If you give a damn about what people think about you when you make it, then you didn’t learn anything in the come-up and will be back suffering in no time.”

“Worrying about what people think about you in your ‘grinding phase’ and your ‘made phase’ is a distraction” – he concluded.

Be yourself, believe in yourself, and keep your motivation alive always, so you can fervently be of the ability to pursue and achieve your goals. don’t listen or heed to what critics say about you, to pull you down. Ensure you give words of affirmations to yourself, every day.