The widow of late Nollywood actor Junior Pope, Jennifer Awele, has shared a moving tribute to her husband on what would have been his 45th birthday.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Awele posted a touching video of the late actor joyfully playing with their children.
The video, filled with family memories, was accompanied by an emotional message recalling their early days together and expressing the pain of marking his birthday in his absence.
“In July 2010, you asked my birth date. I asked for yours, and you said the last day in the first week of May, and I said 7th? You said (smart with a clap),” she wrote, reminiscing about a conversation they had early in their relationship.
Awele reflected on how different this year’s birthday feels, having to remember him with tears rather than with the surprises she once prepared for him. “It’s May 7th 2025, and I’m not celebrating you with my different birthday surprises (I doubt I missed any), not with candles and cakes but with tears and memories and a heart that still beats in rhythm with yours,” she added.
Struggling to find the right words to express her grief, she continued, “I had a lot in mind to type, but at this point, words fail me. Happy 45th birthday, our daddy in heaven. We carry your love in everything we do. Keep watching over us, Debonair.”
Junior Pope tragically passed away on April 10, 2024, following a boat accident while returning from a movie shoot. His untimely death shocked fans and colleagues in the Nigerian film industry, leaving behind a legacy cherished by family and admirers alike.
