To mark the first anniversary of Nollywood actor Junior Pope Odonwodo’s untimely passing, his widow, Jennifer Awele, shared a poignant tribute on Instagram, reflecting on the profound loss and the enduring impact on their family.

Accompanying her heartfelt message was a family photograph featuring Jennifer and their three sons, Jason, Jaden, and Jamon, standing beside a large portrait of Junior Pope.

This visual representation underscored the void left by his absence and the family’s attempt to navigate life without him.​

In her emotional post, Jennifer expressed the relentless nature of their grief.

“It’s been one year of standing in the face of our unimaginable loss, and not a day has gone by without a thought of you. Your love still surrounds us, your laughter echoes in our hearts, and your presence is felt in the quiet moments when we miss you most.”

She candidly shared the challenges of maintaining strength amidst overwhelming sorrow

“You have no idea how tough it’s been, trying to stay strong for each other even as the world around us seems to be falling apart. The grief remains heavy, the absence left a void that words can never fill, but through it all, we look up for strength from heaven as a guiding light.”

Jennifer also recounted the heart-wrenching questions from their children, highlighting the difficulty of addressing their young sons’ expectations and promises made by their father.

“I still don’t have the right words to respond to Jason and Jaden wanting to know if Daddy will fulfill his promise of taking them to a proper football academy and be present at their first official match. They said, ‘Daddy told them he wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world.’ Then the littlest one (J papa as fondly called by daddy) Jamon, keeps asking when daddy is bringing the big toy car he promised him.” 

She extended gratitude to those who have offered support during this challenging period:​

“We appreciate everyone who sympathized with us and stood and still stand by us through our time of grief. Words cannot express our heartfelt gratitude for your love and support towards us.” 

Jennifer concluded her tribute by reaffirming the family’s enduring love and remembrance of Junior Pope:​

“To our beloved, you did not only leave us, your family, but so many who loved you and loved your works. It is so difficult and unbelievable to say these words, but still, continue to rest in the bosom of the Almighty. You will always be in our hearts and our thoughts, and your memories and legacy will live on forever.” ​

Junior Pope Odonwodo tragically lost his life on April 10, 2024, in a boat accident on the Anam River in Anambra State while returning from a movie set. 

The incident also claimed the lives of four others and prompted widespread mourning within the Nigerian entertainment industry. ​

As the family commemorates this somber anniversary, Jennifer’s reflections serve as a testament to the enduring love and cherished memories that continue to sustain them in the face of immeasurable loss.

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Nigerian OAP Osi Suave has sparked a wave of online corrections and commentary after publicly calling out Hon. Natasha Irobosa Osawaru, a member of the Edo State House of Assembly, for incorrectly using the word née while introducing herself during a legislative plenary.

In a video that quickly made the rounds online, Natasha introduced herself as “Hon. Natasha Irobosa Osawaru née Idibia”  (Referring to Nigerian singer 2Baba, also known as Innocent Idibia, as her fiancé.)

This introduction raised immediate eyebrows, with many questioning whether she understood the meaning of the French-derived term “née.”

The word, used mostly in formal settings, means “born as” and is traditionally placed before a woman’s maiden name, the surname she had before marriage.

Osi Reacts

Popular media personality Osi Suave didn’t mince words in his reaction. Taking to Twitter, he wrote:

“Look at this illiterate. Née means born. Meaning, your maiden name or the name you had at birth before you changed it due to marriage.”

His blunt correction quickly gained traction, igniting a grammar war on social media that merged with long-running debates about the controversial relationship between Natasha and 2Baba.

Look at this illiterate

Née means born

Meaning your maiden name or the name you had at birth before you changed it due to marriage. https://t.co/PLXkThNdaa

— Osi (@Osi_Suave) April 9, 2025

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But first, who is Hon. Natasha Osawaru?

Hon. Natasha, 30, is a rising figure in Edo State politics. She currently serves as the Deputy Majority Leader in the state House of Assembly, representing Egor Constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, in recent months, she’s gained more attention for her personal life than for her political work.

Earlier this year, Afrobeat legend 2Baba caused an online storm when he publicly declared love for Natasha and referred to her as his “future wife,” following months of speculation. 

Many fans saw this as a betrayal of his longtime marriage to Annie Idibia, especially given the timing of their recent marital troubles.

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Twitter reacts

Hon. Natasha’s awkward use of née during her introduction became the internet’s newest obsession. Here’s what Nigerians on Twitter had to say:

@SquadNavigators: “Shame wear me g-string. Olodo doesn’t even know how to use the word.”

@Mo_Reec: “Is it not supposed to be the other round? Hon. Natasha Idibia, Née Osawaru? Na wao!”

@MozieVin: “This is the dumbest thing I have heard today. Even if you are married, née stands for your own surname and not that of your husband.”

@Donald Angbas: “What is née Idibia? Is she that dull not to know where and how it is used? BTW, why is the session so rowdy?”

@seowriter: “Isn’t ‘née’ meant to introduce someone’s Maiden Name? As in the surname she answered before getting married.”

@D_Conservatives: “How did that wag and proud homewrecker become a member? Edo is inferior to Lagos in all ramifications.”

Others, like @African_unifier, attempted to defend the relationship:

“They are married, case closed.”

And some were just bewildered by the entire saga:

@Precious_jr21: “I no know whether na 2Baba use juju for her abi na she use juju for 2Baba. Them just dey confuse me.”

Critics also pointed out the disorderly atmosphere of the Edo Assembly plenary session captured in the video, calling it “rowdy” and “unprofessional.”

Whether or not this moment leads to better grammar in politics is yet to be seen.

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Nigerian gospel reggae sensation Buchi Atuonwu, popularly known as Buchi, recently opened up about his transformative journey from cultism to Christianity. 

In an honest chat with Gaise Baba on the show Black Flame, Buchi delved into the spiritual epiphany that led him to abandon his past affiliations and embrace a life dedicated to spreading the gospel through music.​

Reflecting on his departure from the cult, Buchi shared that his understanding of such groups underwent a profound shift. 

He realised that cultism wasn’t merely about clandestine gatherings or rituals but was deeply rooted in spiritual realms. 

This revelation made him acknowledge the futility of confronting spiritual challenges with physical means. He articulated, “You can’t bring a knife to a gun fight and hope to win. It’s a spiritual thing.” ​

A pivotal moment

Buchi recounted a particular incident that served as a turning point in his life. Around the early hours of the morning, between 1 and 2 a.m., he found himself leading a procession of approximately 200 individuals. 

Without the aid of a microphone, he had to project his voice powerfully to be heard by all. The scene was intense: some participants bore coffins on their heads, others carried red lamps symbolising danger, all united in a common, albeit ominous, purpose. 

As he led the chants, an unexpected voice whispered into his ear from the left, distinct from the convoy on his right, saying, “You don’t belong here.” ​

This unexpected message startled him, yet he continued his role in the procession. The diverse assembly of young and old individuals, all poised for potential violence, underscored the cult’s nature as a unifying force transcending tribal lines. Buchi observed, “The cult is a leveller where people are united by a course, not tribe.” ​

Embracing a new path

This profound experience prompted Buchi to seek a deeper understanding of his life’s direction. Recognising the spiritual battles he faced, he turned to Jesus Christ for guidance and purpose.

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This pivotal decision marked the beginning of his transition from a life entangled in cultism to one devoted to gospel music and ministry.​ 

Before his full immersion into music, Buchi had an academic career as a lecturer at the University of Lagos. His journey from academia and nightclubs, where he worked as a DJ, to becoming a renowned gospel artist is a testament to his transformative journey.

His musical career has been marked by several albums that blend reggae rhythms with gospel messages, resonating with many across Nigeria. 

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