Nollywood actress Jennifer Awele, widow of late actor Junior Pope, has revealed a heartbreaking detail about their youngest son on what would have been their 12th wedding anniversary. In a moving Instagram post on July 26, 2025, Awele shared that their youngest child still believes his father is alive and living in their former rented home.
Son's Innocent Belief
According to Awele, the little boy has been asking her to tell his father to leave their old house and join the family in their new home. “Your youngest son thinks you're in the house we lived in as tenants... He keeps saying I should tell you to come join us in our new house that he doesn't know why you didn't move with us,” she wrote. She ended the tribute by asking her late husband to continue resting and watching over the family.
Junior Pope's Tragic Death
Junior Pope, whose real name was John Obum Odonwodo, died on April 10, 2024, after a boat capsized on the Anam River in Anambra State. He was returning from a movie shoot. He is survived by his wife and their three sons.
Outpouring of Support
The post drew emotional reactions from fans and colleagues. @mayyuledochie commented: “My darlings. God gat you.” @iamyvonnejegede wrote: “Stay strong my darling sister.” @akwaima_linus shared: “It's been 2 years, yet, I still break down each time I remember JP. I've never felt this way for a stranger. May God rest his soul, console you and your boys, Amen.”
Awele had previously spoken about the challenges of widowhood and raising her sons alone. She also attended her father-in-law's burial, where her children wondered why the same church and house used for their father's funeral were involved in their grandfather's.
