LIFESTYLE
SGF George Akume Weds Queen Zaynab Ngohemba as Dajoh Family Confirms Union as Former Olori of Ife Begins a New Chapter
The Akume Dajoh family has formally announced the marriage of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, marking a significant personal milestone for the senior government official.
The announcement was made public on Friday through a Facebook post by Abraham Double-d Dajoh, who spoke on behalf of the extended Dajoh family. The post officially welcomed Queen Zaynab into the family, describing the union as a moment of joy and thanksgiving.
“We the entire Dajoh Family, happily join our daddy, uncle and brother, His Excellency, The Secretary To The Government Of The Federation, Sen. George Akume Jugu Dajoh in welcoming his new and uncommon wife, Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh into the Dajoh family,” the statement said.
The family also expressed gratitude to Senator Akume’s supporters across the country, urging them to extend their goodwill to the new union.
“We appreciate and thank the fans and supporters of Sen. Akume for always standing by him. We enjoin every one of you to continue to support his Excellency even in this beautiful union with Queen Zaynab. We wish you all a happy Christmas Celebration and a Prosperous New Year.”
In a symbolic and culturally rich welcome, the family extended greetings to the new bride across key identities associated with her husband’s roots, welcoming her to “Benue State; the Food Basket of the Nation,” to “Mbakor; the seat of leadership of the Tiv nation,” and to “the Dajoh family; the home of your darling husband”.
“Welcome home Queen Zaynab,” the message added.
Following the announcement, several photographs surfaced online showing Queen Zaynab in the company of members of the Dajoh family, further confirming the union and sparking widespread reactions across social media platforms.
Queen Zaynab, formerly known as Zaynab Otiti Obanor, is widely known in public discourse for her previous marriage to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. That marriage was contracted in a traditional ceremony held on March 12, 2016, in Benin City, Edo State, and was followed by a thanksgiving service and reception on March 13, 2016, at the Royal Court of Ife in Osun State. The highly publicised union drew national and international attention, even as the monarch was represented at the traditional rites by his father. During that period, she was officially styled as Olori Wuraola.
However, the marriage came to an end less than two years later. On August 30, 2017, Queen Zaynab publicly confirmed the dissolution of the marriage via her Instagram account, noting that the union lasted approximately 17 months.
In her official statement at the time, she addressed widespread rumours, firmly dismissing claims of infidelity and infertility.
She stated, “What I can confirm is that the Ooni and I are no more,” while also reaffirming her commitment to humanitarian work with the United Nations.
Following the separation, she reverted to her maiden name, Zaynab Otiti Obanor, and relocated to Doha, Qatar, where she largely stayed out of the Nigerian public spotlight.
Before her emergence as Senator Akume’s new bride, reports had circulated that she married a wealthy Arab prince, with whom she is said to have welcomed a daughter in 2022.
With this new union, Queen Zaynab once again steps into national attention, this time as the wife of Nigeria’s Secretary to the Government of the Federation, as congratulatory messages continue to trail the marriage across political and social circles.