SGF George Akume Weds Queen Zaynab, Ex-Ooni of Ife’s Wife

The Dajoh family has formally announced the marriage of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to his new wife, Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh.

The announcement was made on Friday by a member of the family, Abraham Double-d Dajoh, in a Facebook post celebrating the union. In the statement, the family expressed joy at welcoming Queen Zaynab into the Dajoh household, describing her as a “new and uncommon wife” to the former Benue State governor and senior government official.

“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 read.

The family also appreciated supporters and well-wishers of Senator Akume for their continued loyalty, urging them to extend the same goodwill to the couple. They further used the occasion to wish Nigerians a joyful Christmas celebration and a prosperous New Year.

In a symbolic welcome, the family extended greetings to the new bride, welcoming her to Benue State, popularly known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” Mbakor, regarded as the seat of leadership of the Tiv nation, and the Dajoh family home, described as the abode of her husband. The message concluded with a warm note: “Welcome home, Queen Zaynab.”

Several photographs accompanying the announcement have since circulated online, showing Queen Zaynab in the company of members of the Dajoh family.

Queen Zaynab, formerly known as Zaynab Otiti Obanor, was previously married to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. Their traditional wedding took place on March 12, 2016, in Benin City, Edo State, followed by a thanksgiving service and reception at the Royal Court of Ife in Osun State on March 13, 2016. The marriage attracted significant public attention, although the monarch was represented at the traditional ceremony by his father. Following the union, she was styled Olori Wuraola.

However, on August 30, 2017, Queen Zaynab publicly confirmed the dissolution of the marriage via her Instagram account, stating that the union had ended after about 17 months. In her statement, she dismissed rumours of infidelity and infertility as false, clarifying that she and the Ooni were no longer together and that she intended to continue her humanitarian work with the United Nations.

After the divorce, she reverted to her maiden name, Zaynab Otiti Obanor, and relocated to Doha, Qatar. Prior to emerging as Senator Akume’s new wife, reports had linked her to a wealthy Arab prince, with whom she was said to have welcomed a daughter in 2022.