Two years after boat accident, Junior Pope’s wife recounts devastating moment

Jennifer Odonwodo, wife of late Nollywood actor JohnPaul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, paid tribute to her husband on Friday, recounting the moment she received news of his death.

In a post shared on her Instagram page, she described the incident as “the most devastating call” of her life.

The mother of three 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.”

Recounting her arrival at the scene, she added, “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 the emotional toll the incident took on her, stating that she was hospitalised after her blood pressure rose significantly.

“For some reason, the doctor checked my BP, and it was over 210 thereabout… I was immediately admitted,” she wrote.

She further expressed disbelief at the loss, noting that she initially held onto hope.

“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.

In her post, which included multiple videos of Junior Pope’s fun moments with her and their kids, Jennifer paid tribute to her late husband, saying, “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 by praying for his peaceful rest, saying, “Continue to rest peacefully in God’s bosom, Swag King. We miss you so much.”

Reacting to the post, social media users flooded the comment section with messages of condolence.

# divinejp1, wrote, “Take heart, my dear, we all miss him… may his soul find rest in the Lord.”

Another user, #lady_ized, wrote, “So sorry for your loss, sis. God will continue to console you and your children.”

# k.c_eunice added, “It’s well with you, dearest.”

PidomNigeria reported on April 10, 2024, that Junior Pope, alongside his colleagues, died after their boat capsized in a river while returning from a film location.