Former Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, has traced the origin of the popular West African dish, jollof rice, to Senegal.

Speaking on the matter, Mohammed said, “When you look at the origin of jollof, it’s actually from the word Wollof and it’s Senegalese and the people don’t understand the origin of jollof.”

He added some historical context, explaining, “Jollof rice was actually that food that was prepared for prisoners, ‘cos it was that food that was put in one plate, oil, salt, you know, and everything. So really everything of jollof is Wollof.”

Mohammed also referenced the role of tourism authorities in clarifying the dish’s history, stating, “I think later the UN Tourism somebody came out on Wikipedia that the origin of jollof is Wollof.”

His remarks aim to set the record straight on the often-debated origins of jollof rice across West Africa.

Amid Nigeria’s security challenges, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, has married a new wife.

The SGF’s new bride is Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

Abraham Double-d Dajoh shared the announcement in a Facebook post on Friday.

The post read: “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.

“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 the post, the family welcomed the new bride 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”.

Previously, Queen Zaynab Otiti Obanor was married to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

She tied the knot with the Ooni in a traditional ceremony held on March 12, 2016, in Benin City, Edo State, followed by a thanksgiving and reception on March 13, 2016, at the Royal Court of Ife in Osun State.

But the marriage crashed in August 2017.

The SGF’s marriage is coming at a time Nigeria is grappling with the security challenges, with terrorists and bandits unleashing violence on innocent citizens.

In a bid to address the situation, especially perceived Christian genocide in the country, United States President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes against terrorist enclaves in North-West Nigeria.

Hours later, residents of Kwara State were thrown into panic after an explosion in the Offa area of the state.

The Federal Government of Nigeria, in close coordination with the Government of the United States of America, has successfully conducted precision strike operations against two major Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves located within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State.

Intelligence confirmed that these locations were being used as assembly and staging grounds by foreign ISIS elements infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region, in collaboration with local affiliates, to plan and execute large-scale terrorist attacks within Nigerian territory.

The precision strike operations were executed between 00:12 hours and 01:30 hours on Friday, 26 December, 2025, following explicit approval by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

The operation was carried out under established command and control structures, with the full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and under the supervision of the Honourable Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff.

The strikes were launched from maritime platforms domiciled in the Gulf of Guinea, after extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning, and reconnaissance.

A total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms, successfully neutralising the targeted ISIS elements attempting to penetrate Nigeria from the Sahel corridor.

During the course of the operation, debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State, near the premises of a hotel. No civilian casualties were recorded in either location, and relevant authorities promptly secured the affected areas.

The Federal Government of Nigeria reiterates its unwavering resolve to confront, degrade, and eliminate terrorist threats, particularly those posed by transnational extremist networks seeking to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and security.

Nigeria remains fully aligned with its strategic partners and Friends of Nigeria in executing coordinated actions aimed at ensuring lasting peace, border security, and regional stability.

The Federal Government assures all Nigerians that it remains firmly in control of the national security architecture and is fully committed to the protection of lives and property.

Citizens are urged to remain calm and vigilant as decisive actions continue against all terrorist groups threatening the nation.

Mohammed Idris, fnipr

Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation.

December 26, 2025