Veteran actress Rita Edochie has opted not to observe her birthday festivities, choosing instead to dedicate the day to commemorating the passing of the late actor Junior Pope, who tragically lost his life in a recent boating accident.

It is remembered that Junior Pope, along with several crew members, met their demise in a boating accident on Anam River while on a filming expedition.

Rita Edochie has disclosed that for her birthday today, she has resolved to spend the day in remembrance of her "son," Junior Pope, whose untimely demise continues to be a challenging reality for her to accept.

She wrote:

“I REFUSE TO CELEBRATE THIS DAY, I HEREBY DEDICATE IT TO MY GREAT SON JUNIOR POPE WHOSE DEATH INCIDENCE IS BELOW MY BELIEF.

TODAY THE 16TH DAY OF APRIL 2024 IS MY BIRTHDAY BUT I CHOOSE NOT TO CELEBRATE IT THE WAY I HAD INTENDED.
THIS SON OF MINE DOES NOT MISS MY BIRTHDAY EVERY YEAR, HE POSTS MY PICTURES, WRITES AND CALLS ME , I AM ACTUALLY EXPECTING A PHONE CALL OR A MESSAGE FROM HIM, OR A POST FROM HIS PAGE WITH MY PICTURES REGARDING MY BIRTHDAY TODAY THE 16TH APRIL, IF AT THE END OF TODAY I DO NOT GET ANY REACTION FROM HIM, THEN IT WILL DAWN ON ME THAT OBUMNEME NWAM IS NO LONGER HERE

NO DEATH IN NOLLYWOOD HAS MADE ME THIS CRAZY. OBUMNEME IS JUST TOO YOUNG FOR THIS .

WITH A HEART FULL OF GRIEF AND HEAVINESS, I DEDICATE THIS BIRTHDAY OF MINE TO YOU JUNIOR POPE MY GREAT SON, MY CHAMP.
I PRAY AND HOPE THAT GOD USES THIS GOLDEN DAY OF MINE WHICH I HAVE DEDICATED IN YOUR BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES, TO FIX ANYTHING THAT MAY GO WRONG DUE TO YOUR ABSENCE.

AS FOR YOUR LOVELY WIFE, QUTEJAY THE ENVY OF ALL WOMEN, MAY GOD USE THIS DEDICATED DAY OF MINE TO GRANT HER FORTITUDE AND STRENGTH ENSURING THAT SHE RAISES YOUR WONDERFUL BOYS RIGHTLY AND COMFORTABLY.
MAY THE HARD LIFE THAT HITS YOUNG WOMEN WHO LOSE THIER HUSBANDS AT VERY DISPLEASING TIMES NEVER HIT HER AT ALL.
I HOPE SHE HEALS FROM THIS WOUND SOON ENOUGH
AND MAY AFFLICTION NOT COME HER WAY THE SECOND TIME.

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH JOHNPAUL OBUMNEME ODONWODO A.K.A JUNIOR POPE
YOUR MEMORIES WILL REMAIN EVER GREEN IN MY HEART AMEN.
IT IS WELL WITH YOUR ACTIVE SOUL NWAM.
I STILL CANNOT SAY REST IN PEACE BECAUSE E STILL NEVER CLEAR ME

YA DI BA.

THANK YOU JESUS FOR ANOTHER YEAR AND GIFT OF LIFE, YOU KNOW THE BEST .
I CANNOT QUESTION YOU.”

Good.

I like your sense of judgement Ma, unlike Davido who wasn't sensitive at the current incident.

Happy birthday to you.

Good.

I like your sense of judgement Ma, unlike Davido who wasn't sensitive at the current incident.

Happy birthday to you.