• A direct descendant of Shehu Usmanu Danfodiyo, Alhaji entered the Federal Civil Service in 1964 as an Assistant Secretary within the Federal Ministry of Finance.

• He advanced to become Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Trade in 1975 before returning to the Ministry of Finance in that same role by 1979, where he handled external creditor relations and participated in negotiating the Lomé II Agreement.

• Under General Ibrahim Babangida’s military administration, he was appointed Minister of State for Budget and National Planning in 1988, later serving as Minister of Finance from 1990 to 1991 during a time of economic reforms and international financial engagement.

• He transitioned to diplomatic service in 1992 as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, remaining in London until his replacement in 1996 under General Sani Abacha’s regime.

Traditional Heritage and Title

• In 1990, Alhaji received the prominent traditional title of Sardauna of Sokoto.

• He succeeded to this revered Sokoto Caliphate title—previously held by Sir Ahmadu Bello, the assassinated Premier of Northern Nigeria—and was widely viewed as a guardian of the Caliphate’s heritage and history.

• He explained in an interview with StreamRewind that the event was a promotional project and a deliberate social experiment designed to observe public reactions.

• The original viral videos had sparked severe backlash from social media users who accused him of hypocrisy for allegedly getting married despite previously speaking against it.

Views on Marriage and Polygamy

• While addressing the criticism, GehGeh clarified that he never explicitly told people to completely avoid marriage, though he maintains a personal preference for polygamy over monogamy.

• He noted that his philosophical stance is that polygamy helps shield a man’s heart from heartbreak and manipulation by ensuring he is not reliant on just one woman.

• According to GehGeh, this practice mirrors the lifestyle of their forefathers and serves as the core principle behind his conceptual “GehGeh Wisdom and Knowledge University.”

• The 26-year-old defender has agreed to a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge running until 2032.

• Lacroix represents Chelsea’s third summer signing, joining Morgan Rogers and Marco Palestra, alongside completed deals for Geovany Quenda and Emmanuel Emegha.

Background and Success at Crystal Palace

• Following a 2024 move from Wolfsburg for 15.5 million pounds, Lacroix made 98 total appearances across two seasons for Palace under manager Oliver Glasner, including 55 outings in his final year.

• He played a central role during the most successful era in Crystal Palace history, helping the team capture the UEFA Conference League, FA Cup, and Community Shield.

• Chelsea noted his reputation as one of Europe’s most commanding centre-backs, highlighting his elite speed and aerial ability in the Premier League.

Career Path and International Rise

• A product of Sochaux’s youth academy where he made 28 senior appearances, Lacroix previously spent four years in Germany with Wolfsburg, playing 130 matches before his transfer to south London.

• His stellar domestic and European form led to his senior France debut in March, earning him seven caps overall.

• He went on to make three appearances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup—including a third-place play-off against England—helping Les Bleus secure a fourth-place finish.