The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has married Queen Zaynab Ngohemba, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
The marriage became public knowledge on Friday following a celebratory social media post by a member of the Dajoh family, Abraham Double-d Dajoh, who confirmed the union between the senior government official and the former Olori of the Ife Kingdom.
According to the post, Queen Zaynab, now known as Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, was formally welcomed into the Dajoh family home in Mbakor, Benue State, this December, marking her official integration into the family despite the union having been established earlier.
Describing the marriage as “beautiful” and “uncommon,” the Dajoh family expressed joy over the new chapter in Akume’s personal life and publicly welcomed the Queen into their fold.
In a statement shared online, the family said they were delighted to receive her as a wife, sister and mother within the extended Dajoh household, while also appreciating the continued support shown to the SGF by his political associates and supporters.
They further urged Akume’s followers to remain steadfast in their loyalty to him, even as he embarks on this new personal journey with his wife.
Queen Zaynab, who was previously known as Olori Wuraola during her marriage to the Ooni of Ife, was married to the monarch for about 17 months before the union ended in 2017. Her arrival in Benue State was reportedly marked by traditional courtesies and cultural reverence.
Emphasising their ancestral heritage, the Dajoh family highlighted Mbakor as the traditional seat of leadership in Tiv land and welcomed the Queen to Benue State, popularly described as the Food Basket of the Nation.
The announcement coincided with the Christmas season, with the family extending goodwill messages to Nigerians and wishing the public a peaceful festive celebration and a prosperous New Year.
Reacting to widespread speculation surrounding the timing of the marriage, Akume’s spokesman, Yomi Odunuga, confirmed the union but clarified that it was not recently contracted.
According to him, contrary to reports suggesting that the marriage was sealed on Christmas Eve, the couple has been married for over a year, noting that their public appearance together during the festive period merely brought renewed attention to the relationship.
Akume, a former governor of Benue State, currently serves as a key figure in President Bola Tinubu’s administration. News of his marriage to Queen Zaynab, a humanitarian and former royal, has since generated widespread discussion across Nigeria’s political and social circles.
