Jennifer Odonwodo has paid an emotional tribute to her late husband, JohnPaul Odonwodo, popularly known as “Junior Pope”, sharing a heartbreaking recollection of how she learned about his passing.
In a post on her Instagram page on Friday, she reflected on the day she received what she described as the most devastating news of her life, noting that she was preparing for a photoshoot when the call came in.
According to her, the tragic incident involving her husband occurred after a boat they were on capsized. She initially struggled to accept the reality, clinging to hope that it was a prank.
She wrote, “This day two years ago, at about some minutes past 3pm, 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.”
She went on to describe arriving at the scene and the painful sight that greeted her.
Recounting the moment, she said, “I was driven to the scene and saw the very massive crowd… 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. I screamed JESUSSSSS, which I’m sure Heaven heard the echo.”
Jennifer also revealed that the emotional shock severely affected her health, leading to a spike in her blood pressure and subsequent hospitalisation.
“For some reason, the doctor checked my BP, and it was over 210 thereabout… I was immediately admitted,” she wrote.
READ ALSO: Nollywood Mourns: Junior Pope laid to rest in hometown Ukehe, Nsukka
She further expressed her disbelief, saying she initially could not accept that he was gone, recalling even the smallest memories from the day before his death.
She added, “I was in denial, because how can someone who told me to warm and keep the jollof rice he had the night before to have the same night of April 10th not be here to eat it?”
“I still had hope of Jp’s resurrection not until the morning pallbearers brought in his casket on their shoulders and very loud canon sounds ushered him in,” she added.
Accompanying her post were several videos capturing joyful family moments with the late actor and their children. She also offered prayers for his peaceful rest and spoke about the family’s ongoing grief.
In her words, “Johnpaul Obumneme Odonwodo, God is taking care of your children and I, and your mother as well. It hasn’t been easy, but God has been faithful.”
She concluded, “Continue to rest peacefully in God’s bosom, Swag King. We miss you so much.”
Following her post, social media users expressed sympathy in the comment section, sending messages of condolence.
It would be recalled that Junior Pope died on April 10, 2024, alongside some colleagues after their boat capsized while returning from a movie location.