By our reporter 10.4.2026
Jennifer Awele Odonwodo, who is the widow of late Nollywood actor John Paul Odonwodo a.k.a Junior Pope, has marked the second anniversary of his death with a heartfelt tribute.
Pouring out her heart on Instagram on Friday Mrs. Odonwodo recalled the traumatic experience of seeing his lifeless body. Junior Pope and three others died in a tragic boat accident in the Anam River, Anambra State, while returning from a film location on April 10, 2024.
“This day two years ago at about some minutes past 3 pm, while getting dressed to go for a photoshoot, I received the most devastating call of my life…… Awele, the boat JP was on, just capsized. My hands immediately started shaking, but a part of me held onto the fact that it was a prank,” Odonwodo wrote
“I was driven to the scene and saw the very massive crowd, and some were asking why I was brought there…I was still trying to understand what was going on, and a black Hilux drove past me with my husband lying lifeless in its trunk with the same red shorts he wore when he left the house at about 10 am that morning…I screamed Jesus, which I’m sure heaven heard the echo…it was a whole lot that evening….when he was finally pronounced, for some reason, for some reason the doctor checked my blood pressure, and it was over 210, thereabout…I was immediately admitted
“I was in denial because how can someone who told me to warm and keep the jollof rice he had the night before, on the same night of April 10th, not be here to eat it??? I tried so hard to cry, but my tear glands failed me…while people visited afterwards, I still had hope of JP’s resurrection, not until the morning paw bearers brought in his casket on their shoulders…and very loud canon sounds ushered him in… I had the goose bumps of the entire world on my arms….
“Johnpaul Obumneme Odonwodo. God is taking care of your children and I…and your mother as well. A Lot Has Happened Oooo Jp…Plenty Ooooooooo…Unbelievable Gist Chokeeeeee….Ndi Mmadu Di Wonder (In Your Voice)
“It hasn’t been easy, but God has been faithful…we’re holding it down here for you while we believe you’re holding it down for us up there. Continue to rest peacefully in God’s bosom, Swag King. We Miss You Sooooo Much Mana Ya Diba!!!! Ogadinma”.