🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Tobi Amusan wins gold and sets new meet record at New Taipei Athletics Open
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Nigeria's Tobi Amusan, the world record holder, secured a gold medal and established a new meet record in the women's 100 meters hurdles at the New Taipei Athletics Open in Taiwan. She completed the race in 12.72 seconds, despite a slight headwind, finishing ahead of Chinese Taipei's Bo Ya Zhang, who earned silver with a time of 13.17 seconds. This victory marks another strong performance for Amusan in the 2026 season. Earlier in the season, she achieved her first Diamond League win in Rabat, Morocco, clocking 12.28 seconds and breaking her own meeting record. She also secured a runner-up position in Xiamen with 12.28 seconds and a third-place finish in Shanghai with 12.41 seconds. Amusan also claimed gold at the African Championships in Accra, contributing to Nigeria's first gold medal of the competition. Her 12.28-second performance is among the fastest globally this year. Amusan, a three-time Diamond League champion, is preparing for the Diamond League finale and the Commonwealth Games later in the year.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Households and businesses in Abuja are increasingly adopting traditional fuels like charcoal and firewood due to a sharp rise in cooking gas prices. The cost of cooking gas in the Federal Capital Territory has escalated from approximately N1,200 per kg to N2,000 per kg in recent months. Industry operators attribute this increase to supply shortages, higher depot costs, foreign exchange pressures, and rising transportation expenses. Consumers and vendors, including food vendors like Mrs. Mayo Akinpelu and Ms. Victory Samson, report that the soaring prices have made cooking gas unaffordable, impacting profit margins and forcing them to seek cheaper alternatives. Mrs. Grace Oluwatimilehin, a business owner, now uses electric hot plates, charcoal, and firewood. Mrs. Abike Ojo, a mother, expressed concern about the pressure on her household budget. Gas vendors, Mr. Bamishile Bolanle and Mr. Alfred Orshio, confirmed the price increase and noted a decline in customer patronage and purchasing power. Conversely, charcoal distributors like Mrs. Amina Yakubu and Mrs. Saratu Ibrahim, along with firewood seller Mr. Taninu Ibrahim, have seen a significant increase in demand for their products, leading to higher prices for these alternatives as well. Stakeholders are calling for government intervention to stabilize prices, warning that continued scarcity and reduced purchasing power could further decrease gas consumption.
Must ReadThe Katsina State Government announced advanced efforts to secure the release of former Director of Defence Information, retired Maj. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, his wife, and other kidnapped victims, expressing optimism for their swift freedom. Governor Dikko Radda directed security agencies to prioritize their rescue following their abduction along the Matazu axis. Preliminary investigations suggest the abduction was a deliberate and targeted operation, with evidence indicating the couple was monitored from Kaduna. This targeted nature points to a worrying shift in criminal tactics and the involvement of organized criminal groups, guiding ongoing rescue efforts. The government views the abduction as an affront to the state and is working to bring those responsible to justice, utilizing technology and ground intelligence. Collaboration with the Nigerian Army, police, and other intelligence agencies has been intensified. The abductors reportedly demanded the release of three detained fighters and the return of seized livestock in exchange for the couple's freedom, as conveyed in a video where General Abubakar's wife appealed for intervention. The couple was ambushed while traveling with their driver, who escaped with injuries. The Katsina State Government assures the public and the family that all resources are being deployed for their safe return and is confident of a positive outcome from ongoing high-level operations.
Nelson Ononiwu, founder and chief executive of Africa Live Play 360 ALP360, is recognized for his contributions to African creativity and brand building. Based in Lagos with an expanding presence in Tanzania, ALP360 has become a notable culture agency, executing luxury brand activations and managing PR strategies for prestigious spirits labels. The agency's work includes managing public relations for Don Julio, Johnnie Walker, and The Singleton at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards AMVCA. ALP360 also developed a luxury brand trip for the launch of Serengeti Apple, bringing influencers to experience the brand within the Serengeti. In Nigeria, the agency created a sequel to MTN's 'Oh Jerry' television commercial, focusing on the brand's 5G network. Colleagues describe Ononiwu's leadership as "human," emphasizing his guidance and investment in his team. Kelechi Okereke noted Ononiwu's impact on ALP360 and the African media ecosystem as a demonstration of strategic leadership transforming vision into success. Ononiwu believes African stories do not need permission to be world-class and aims for African creativity to set global standards.