Mary Remmy Njoku, a Nollywood actress, has posed a thought-provoking query for Nigerians. The mother of three wondered why Nigerians would always criticize bereaved widows on her Instagram page.
She used recent examples, such as the wives of Mohbad and Junior Pope, to draw attention to the unsettling pattern in which some people find ways to place the blame on the widow, accusing her of being a puppet of spiritual forces, even in cases of catastrophes like a husband dying in a plane crash.
She said, mockingly paraphrasing a popular proverb, “She frustrated him and he boarded the flight to find peace in the air.” Njoku questioned the underlying motivations behind these attacks and called for greater compassion and understanding for those who are grieving.
Things started to happen a few hours after a vocal accusation against Jennifer Awele, the wife of Junior Pope, made on Twitter by a person going by the handle Papi Jr. In a since-deleted tweet, Papi Jr. implied that the actor’s marriage was in turmoil before he passed away, claiming the event planner had seriously disturbed his life.
This tweet was sent out at the same time that friend and colleague Dave Ogbeni revealed his worries on Junior Pope’s health. Recounting his most recent meeting with the actor, Dave disclosed Junior Pope’s anguish and wish to open up to bloggers about his difficulties—a proposal that Dave strongly objected to.
Many were taken aback by the announcement, considering Junior Pope and his wife’s well-known dedication to their families. When they shared a touching photo and heartfelt comments to commemorate their ninth wedding anniversary in July 2023, it was clear how close they were to one another.
Junior Pope acknowledged that they had encountered difficulties and said that they have had to rely on their faith to get them through difficult times. It’s interesting to note that the actor shared the unusual tale of how he connected with Jennifer Awele on Facebook in January 2023.
Junior Pope talked about their relationship and how he manages his wife’s ego, acknowledging that certain women have a propensity to take charge of the home. He highlights her role as the “neck” of the family, providing support and making sure she feels respected and included in life’s decisions, in order to keep things in balance.
