Grief and Tears as Junior Pope is Laid to Rest in Enugu

The quiet town of Uwala Abaka, Ukehe, in Nsukka, Igboetiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, was shrouded in grief as the community gathered to bid farewell to actor John Odonwodo, affectionately known as Junior Pope.

The burial rites began at 10 a.m. with a commendation mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Parish, Ukehe. Following the mass, his body lay in state at his father’s compound, where family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers paid their last respects. The atmosphere was heavy with emotion as attendees took a final glimpse of the beloved actor before the body was moved to a private venue for interment around 1:30 p.m.

The ceremony was marked by profound sorrow. Jennifer Awele, Junior Pope‘s wife, was seen weeping uncontrollably during the final funeral procession. Her first son, in an attempt to comfort his mother, also broke down in tears, highlighting the deep sense of loss felt by the family.

Despite the significant turnout, the absence of several notable actors and actresses, including members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), was noticeable and remarked upon by attendees.

Junior Pope, aged 43, tragically passed away on April 10, along with four others, when their boat capsized in the Anam River in Anambra State while returning from a movie shoot.

Veteran actress Rita Edochie expressed her heartbreak over the untimely death of Junior Pope, reflecting the sentiments of many who attended the burial to honor his memory and legacy in the Nigerian film industry.