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By Daniel Adaji
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has reportedly married Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, with the union formally announced by members of the Dajoh family.
The announcement was made on Friday via a Facebook post by a family member, Abraham Double-d Dajoh, who described the marriage as a joyful addition to the family. He said the Dajoh family had warmly welcomed Queen Zaynab, referring to her as an “uncommon wife,” while expressing appreciation to supporters of the SGF for their goodwill.
In the same post, the family symbolically welcomed her to Benue State, popularly known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” as well as Mbakor, regarded as the seat of Tiv leadership, and the Dajoh family home.
The message concluded with wishes to Nigerians for a happy Christmas celebration and a prosperous New Year.
Photographs shared alongside the post showed Queen Zaynab with members of the Dajoh family, triggering widespread reactions across social media platforms and drawing attention to the personal life of one of the country’s top government officials.
Queen Zaynab, formerly known as Zaynab Otiti Obanor, was previously married to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. Their traditional marriage was held in March 2016 in Benin City, Edo State, followed by ceremonies in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The high-profile union ended in 2017, about 17 months later.
At the time, she publicly confirmed the separation, dismissing rumours surrounding the collapse of the marriage and stating her intention to focus on humanitarian work.
She later relocated to Doha, Qatar, where reports in subsequent years linked her to a wealthy Arab prince, with whom she was said to have welcomed a daughter in 2022.
Beyond her marriage to the Ooni, Queen Zaynab has been linked over the years to several prominent figures. Reports circulating online describe Akume as her fifth husband, following previous marriages to a former governor of Jigawa State, a Dubai-based businessman, the Ooni of Ife, and a Qatari prince.
Her reported marriage to Senator Akume marks a new chapter, once again placing her personal life and that of the SGF at the centre of national conversation.