Entertainment
Toolz defends Junior Pope’s widow amid criticism over ‘moving on’
Media personality Toolz Oniru has defended Jennifer, the widow of late Nollywood actor Junior Pope, after she faced criticism for allegedly “moving on” a year after her husband’s death.
The backlash began after Jennifer shared a video of herself and actress Mercy Johnson posing for the camera.
A Nigerian man, identified as Obiasogu, condemned her for appearing to have moved past her loss, claiming that the burden of raising three children “doesn’t seem to show on her.”
Toolz, however, faulted the criticism, insisting that no one has the right to dictate how a widow should grieve or rebuild her life.
He wrote, “She’s looking so stunning, casually handling an iPhone 17 Pro Max, and looking like she’s already moved on, barely 1 year after losing her husband and bearing the burden of raising three kid-boys.
“Dear men, do whatever you can not to d!e young, especially after newly marrying.”
Reacting, Toolz Oniru questioned why Jennifer should lock herself away and mourn forever, pointing out that it’s been 20 months since Junior Pope died.
She highlighted the double standard, stating that men wouldn’t find it hard to get another wife within the same year.
“Barely a year is actually 20 months. She should lock herself away and mourn forever? When it wouldn’t be unusual in this country for a man to have another wife within the same year”, she stated.
Many Nollywood stars had shown support to Junior Pope’s widow following his death.
Jennifer has been commemorating significant milestones, reflecting on her husband’s passing and their life together.
On April 10, 2025, she marked the one-year anniversary of his death, recalling the challenges of coping with the loss.
Junior Pope and several others drowned in Anam River, Anambra State, while returning from a movie set produced by Adanma Luke on April 8, 2024.
In May, she celebrated his 45th posthumous birthday, sharing fond memories and expressing sadness at no longer being able to surprise him.
In July, she marked their 11th wedding anniversary, acknowledging mixed emotions and pain at his absence, yet finding solace in his enduring legacy.
