Nigerian wrestler Oba Femi defeats Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania debut
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Nigerian professional wrestler Isaac Odugbesan, known as Oba Femi, defeated 10-time WWE Champion Brock Lesnar in under five minutes at WrestleMania 42. The 27-year-old Nigerian, also known as “The Ruler,” overpowered the veteran in a headline match. Lesnar left his wrestling gear in the ring after the match, a gesture often seen as a sign of retirement in professional wrestling. Oba Femi, a former NXT champion, has been on WWE’s main roster for three months. The contest saw Lesnar briefly take control before Femi absorbed the pressure and responded with a dominant display. After Lesnar delivered an F5, Femi recovered to hit a chokeslam and finished the match with his “Fall From Grace” sit-out powerbomb for the pinfall victory. The upset win quickly became a major topic on social media. Femi, a former shot put athlete born in Lagos, is a two-time NXT Champion and a one-time NXT North American Champion. He signed with WWE in 2021 and won the 2023 NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament and the 2024 Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge. During the WrestleMania Sunday post-show, Femi hinted at a possible title challenge against Roman Reigns before the end of the year.
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Afrobeats artist Davido has condemned an attack on Asimiyu Ajibola, chairman of the Accord Party in Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State. Ajibola reportedly escaped death after suspected gunmen attacked him and his associates on Wednesday night in Osogbo. The incident occurred near the Osogbo Community Bank axis of the MDS area when gunmen allegedly opened fire on a blue Toyota Corolla carrying the politician and his friends. Ajibola sustained injuries and was taken to a teaching hospital. Davido called for an end to political violence, emphasizing that political differences should not lead to insecurity or bloodshed. He urged politicians to resolve their differences through the ballot box, stating, "Regardless of our political differences, everyone must make sure they are not contributing to insecurity in our nation." He added, "The attack on the Chairman of the Accord Party in Osogbo Local Government by political hoodlums must be condemned and rejected by all."
A heated confrontation erupted in the Nigerian House of Representatives during a session on Thursday, stemming from a dispute over the leadership of the opposition caucus. Mr. Philip Agbese, representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, accused fellow lawmaker Ikenga Ugochinyere, representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, of forging his signature on a document purportedly nominating Ugochinyere for the position of Minority Leader. Agbese stated he never signed such a document, despite discussions with Ugochinyere, and called for an investigation into what he described as an attempt to damage his reputation. He also denied receiving money to support any candidate. Speaker Abbas Tajudeen acknowledged the complaint and assured an investigation, while also announcing a closed-door meeting for minority lawmakers to address the leadership crisis. Ugochinyere, in turn, denied the forgery, claiming Agbese personally endorsed his nomination form in front of witnesses and that his bid has overwhelming support from opposition members. The exchange led to a shouting match in the chamber, highlighting deep divisions within the opposition bloc. This confrontation occurs amid uncertainty in the opposition caucus following political shifts and the defection of the former Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda. The outcome of the Speaker's meeting is expected to be crucial in determining the future leadership of the minority caucus.
NerdzFactory Company and Research Links, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and Digital Opportunity Trust, completed the MasterCrafters Assessment and Training Programme in April 2026. The program certified 201 skilled tradespeople across ten trades in Lagos, Nigeria, as structured mentors prepared to train new apprentices. This initiative falls under the Indigenous Apprenticeship to Work Programme, part of the Employee Innovation Fund, which aims to drive sustainable change in Nigeria’s informal skills economy. The program addressed the lack of structure and formal certification pathways in Nigeria's informal apprenticeship system. It mobilized experienced craftspeople from Lagos communities, assessing their technical competence and mentorship readiness, and providing them with teaching frameworks. The assessment phase, conducted from April 16-18, 2026, covered ten trades: fashion designing and tailoring, auto mechanics, carpentry and furniture making, catering, hair making, photography, cosmetology, art and craft, nail technology, and shoe making. Of the 201 certified MasterCrafters, 186 are women and 15 are men, reflecting a focus on inclusion. Four certified MasterCrafters are persons with disabilities. Training at the end of April included safeguarding, ethical apprenticeship practices, mentorship, communication, financial literacy, inclusion, and conflict resolution. All 201 MasterCrafters received formal certification through Nigeria’s Recognition of Prior L
The National Association of Nigerian Students NANS has reaffirmed its commitment to the rescue of abducted students and teachers across Nigeria, declaring support for advocacy efforts by the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC and the Nigeria Union of Teachers NUT. NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde, stated on Thursday in Abuja that the student body remains focused on ensuring the freedom of all abducted individuals and will continue to engage relevant authorities and mobilize support for their rescue. Akinteye emphasized that the safety of students and teachers must be a national priority, warning that insecurity could undermine access to education if not addressed urgently. He added that NANS will work with labor unions, parents, community leaders, and security agencies to pressure the government until the abductees are rescued. While commending the NLC and NUT for their advocacy, Akinteye stressed that NANS's primary concern is the welfare of the victims, not political considerations. He distanced the association from politically affiliated groups, insisting that the campaign for rescue should not be used for partisan interests. Akinteye also dismissed reports questioning his studentship status, reiterating that he is a bona fide student of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology. He urged media organizations to verify information to avoid distracting from the urgent task of addressing insecurity in schools. The statement follows heightened concerns over school securit