On Saturday, Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, visited the family of the late Nollywood actor Junior Pope to offer his condolences.
This heartfelt gesture was meant to show support to the bereaved family during their difficult time. Junior Pope, whose real name was JohnPaul Odonwodo, was laid to rest on Friday in his hometown of Ikpogwu Ukehe, Nsukka, Enugu State.
The burial ceremony was a solemn event attended by family, friends, and fans who gathered to pay their final respects to the beloved actor. Mr. Obi took photographs with the actor’s children, consoled them and their mother, and signed the condolence register.
Accompanied by actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo, the former governor of Anambra joined the mourning family. Junior Pope’s body arrived in his village early Friday morning, followed by a funeral service at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church, Ukehe. The officiating priest delivered a brief sermon and prayed for the family, reminding them that “the Lord gives and the Lord taketh.”
Family, friends, and colleagues could not hold back tears as Junior Pope’s body, laid in a white casket, was lowered into the ground in his compound after the church service. The venue was secured by police and local vigilante groups who prevented unauthorized individuals from taking pictures or videos.
Celebrities such as Zubby Michael, Ruby Ojiakor, Linc Edochie, Queen Wokoma, Chinwe Owoh, and Rita Edochie were among those who attended the funeral.
Junior Pope, who married Jennifer Awele in November 2014, had three children. He tragically drowned alongside four others on April 10.
