Captain Oluwafemiayo sets world record as Nigeria dominates opening day of Commonwealth Games
via Punch Nigeria10 min read
Team Nigeria began the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games with a strong performance, securing five medals in para powerlifting on the opening day. Captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo led the charge by breaking the world record in the Women's heavyweight para-powerlifting event with a lift of 134.8kg, retaining her title. Fellow Nigerian Rita Ferdinand earned silver in the same event, lifting 128.2kg, which also surpassed the previous world record. Earlier, Esther Nworgu claimed Nigeria's first gold medal in the women's lightweight category, setting a Games record twice and finishing with 119 points. Esther Oyema secured silver in this category. In the men's lightweight category, Roland Ezuruike won a silver medal. All five medals came from para powerlifting, highlighting Nigeria's strength in the discipline. Nigeria also made history in 3x3 basketball, achieving its first-ever Commonwealth Games victory in the sport with a 21-17 win against the Cayman Islands. The National Sports Commission's Director-General, Bukola Olopade, congratulated the team. Swimmer Clinton Opute and boxer Ayomide Foly Hassan did not advance in their respective events. The five medallists received a combined $18,000 under the National Sports Commission's reward policy. Team Nigeria, with 74 athletes across ten sports, aims for 16 to 20 gold medals.
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Wigwe University, founded by the late Herbert Wigwe, is facing allegations of mass staff dismissals, intimidation, and administrative high-handedness. Former employees, including Dr. Nonyelum Okechukwu, a university librarian, and Amarachi Ogbennia, a college secretary, claim their appointments were terminated without due process or clear reasons. Other former staff members, including a lecturer from Zimbabwe and a former deputy registrar, describe an atmosphere of fear and arbitrary dismissals, with some attributing these issues to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Marwan Al-Akaidi. Documents reportedly indicate that about 30 academic and non-academic employees have either been terminated or resigned. Civil society organizations and legal experts are calling for an independent investigation, emphasizing that even private institutions must adhere to Nigerian labor laws. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Marwan Al-Akaidi, denies personally terminating anyone's appointment, stating that the university follows established procedures for disciplinary matters and maintains high standards, with no place for "lazy people."
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