…chose Anambra for her anniversary to commemorate and immortalize the world first heavyweight wrestling champion in Africa, Power Mike.
AWKA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | Nigerian Professional Wrestling Federation (NPWF) says it is poised to revive Professional Wrestling Championship in Nigeria using it’s 44th Anniversary Celebration billed to hold at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square Awka, Anambra State between 26th to 28th September 2025.
Briefing newsmen in Awka yesterday as part of preparation for the event, the President of Nigerian Professional Wrestling Federation, Chief John Uche said Professional Wrestling was the first sports to be well enhoyed accepted in Nigeria, reaching the limelight before it went into extinction due to poor management and government neglect.
He noted that they chose Anambra for her 44th year anniversary to commemorate and immortalize the world first heavyweight wrestling champion in Africa, late Chief Mike Okpara with the ring name (Power Mike of Africa), who hails from Neni in Anaocha council area of the State.
NPWF was inaugurated in Nigeria in 1981 by the former President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari. We have been celebrating our anniversary. In 2021, we had wanted to celebrate it here in Anambra but American Government warned that it’s citizens won’t come here due to insecurity. Thus, we relocated the event to Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
Chief John Uche said he has donated a Golden Trophy to immortalise the great wrestler.
The professional wrestling President further announced that they are using the event to unveil mentorship and skills acquisition programme to curb youth restiveness and crime in the country.
“Our Target is to train at least 100 youths from each of the 36 states of the federation and at the end of six months training and mentorship programme, we would have succeeded in impacting the lives of more than three million youths who will become useful and responsible to themselves, society and nation at large.
“Two foreign trainers are coming from UK to kickstart the mentorship with local coaches. The mentorship starts from Anambra State on 26th September 2025 as a mark of honour to Late Power Mike of Africa.
“Again, there will also be wrestling championship where two indigenes of Anambra: Angus Emadi and Joy Nwafor will be competing for title in defence of his belt and African Women Title respectively.
“Also, the African Championship will be rotated among African countries to groom new one to succeed aging ones who will graduate to coaches. The new ones will further compete with foreigners. When I came in as President, Nigeria was 4th, Cameroun was 1st; but today, we are 2nd in Africa. Hopefully, next year Nigeria will be first with necessary facilities on ground.
“We have up to 10,000 wrestlers but due to lack of funding and government assistance, it collapsed. They only believe in Amateur Championship that last for three years before graduating to professionals. So some of them engage in crime. With help of Government, it will be a thing of the past. Cameroun, South Africa and Botswana fund professional wrestling while Togo and Benin Republic beg us to establish their professional wrestling. But here in Nigeria, nothing.
Chief Uche further called on Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo to help them build sport wrestling facilities to enable them train Ndi Anambra free of charge.
