Toolz Steps In to Defend Junior Pope’s Widow Amid Backlash Over “Moving On”
Media personality Toolz Oniru has come to the defence of Jennifer Awele, the widow of late Nollywood actor Junior Pope, after she was criticised by a social‑media user for “moving on” too quickly.
The criticism followed the appearance of a video showing Jennifer Awele and actress Mercy Johnson posing together and looking radiant. In the video, Jennifer was seen holding what appeared to be an iPhone 17 Pro Max, a detail that the user used to argue that she had already recovered and “moved on” from her husband’s death. The commenter also made a pointed remark urging men to “not die young,” suggesting that such a fate would leave their families in similar situations.
In response, Toolz condemned the criticism as insensitive and unwarranted, calling out those who judge how a widow should mourn. She reminded critics that about 20 months, not “barely a year”, had passed since Junior Pope’s death, and challenged the notion that a woman must remain secluded in grief forever. Toolz also pointed out the double standard in societal expectations: while men often remarry quickly after losing a spouse, women are expected to stay in mourning.
The tragic background of the story remains that Junior Pope died in a boat accident on April 10, 2024, while returning from a film shoot, leaving behind his wife and their three sons. His passing sent shockwaves across the Nigerian entertainment industry and his family have since been navigating life after loss with public scrutiny.
Toolz‘s defence has sparked broader conversations online about grief, societal expectations, and the right to rebuild one’s life after loss, particularly for women.