Hon. Natasha Irobosa Osawaru — fiancée to Afrobeats legend 2Baba has unknowingly kicked off a grammar lesson that had the internet buzzing, during a plenary session of the Edo State House of Assembly.
It was meant to be a simple self-introduction but she stood confidently at the podium and introduced herself as:“Natasha Irobosa Osawaru, née Idibia.”
A wave of chuckles rolled through the chamber. Outside the hall, social media lit up with debates, explanations, and hot takes. Why the fuss? It all centered on the French word “née,” a seemingly elegant touch that sparked a not-so-elegant conversation about proper usage.
Interestingly, OAP Osi Suave, stepped in like a linguistic referee. Taking to social media, he broke it down for everyone:
“‘Née’ is a French term meaning ‘born as.’ It’s used to indicate a woman’s maiden name after she has officially married and taken a new surname.”
In other words, unless Natasha and 2Baba have already signed the dotted lines and said “I do” in secret, using “née Idibia” was — technically speaking — premature.
This quirky moment has since stirred a wider conversation about linguistic accuracy, colonial hangovers, and the importance of understanding terms we borrow from other cultures — especially when used in formal or legislative spaces.
Despite the mix-up, Hon. Natasha remains the talk of the town. Representing the Egor Constituency, she has been thrust further into the spotlight since her romantic proposal from 2Baba went viral — a scene straight out of a Nollywood rom-com, complete with cheers, hugs, and wide-eyed fans.
While the internet debates whether it’s “Née or Nay,” one thing is certain: in politics, love, and language, every word matters.
And next time someone uses a French phrase at a Nigerian Assembly, they might want to double-check… or just keep Osi Suave on speed dial.
