The City Pulse Lounge, a branch of The City Pulse, has introduced its flagship dish Iyan Olodo in Ikeja—a freshly pounded yam served in the traditional manner with pure palm wine in calabash style.

The experience is designed as more than just food; it’s a return to cultural roots. At the lounge, guests can hear yam being pounded live (unless it’s a pre-order), and the atmosphere is steeped in Yoruba tradition. On weekends, the venue hosts live performances featuring Juju, Fuji, Gospel, and other cultural arts, turning dining into a celebration.

“Ayoyemi Mojoyinola, popularly known as Ayo Mojoyin, founder of The City Pulse Lounge, said he created Iyan Olodo ‘to bring back the memories of our forefathers in the villages’.” He explained that, as a journalist-turned-hospitality entrepreneur, he wanted to preserve Yoruba culture by replicating how elders used to eat yam with fresh palm wine.

The new dish has already drawn several A-list personalities. Patrons include Chief Bestman Nze (President of Team Nigeria), celebrity journalist Otunba Femi Davies (founder of Metronews Nigeria), realtor Otunba Olayinka Ogundipe (‘Ultra’), and broadcaster Adebisi Adewusi (DebisiKonga). Videos featuring these influencers enjoying Iyan Olodo are being shared, fuelling its cultural buzz.

Menu prices include Iyan with Fish / Bokoto / Ogufe at ₦4,000; Iyan with Assorted & Ponmo Ijebu at ₦5,500; Iyan with Fresh Fish is priced at ₦10,000. Pure, natural palm wine (not mixed) costs ₦2,000 per bottle. Eat-in only; takeaway or delivery incurs extra packaging/dispatch fees.

Iyan Olodo is served daily from 1:30pm to 8:00pm, with pre-orders allowed for earlier or later service. The lounge is located at The City Pulse Lounge, inside Lagos Television, Plot 1 Lateef Jakande, Agidingbi, Alausa, Ikeja.

The City Pulse Lounge plans to expand Iyan Olodo soon to Ogun State and the Federal Capital Territory, with those plans already underway.

For Nigeria’s Independence Day, a special Iyan Olodo promotion will run from October 1-5, 2025. Official details are expected to be announced on September 25.

The Atasemanso Circuit Court in Ghana has sentenced three Nigerians — Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze — to a combined 96 years in prison for their involvement in vehicle theft in Kumasi.

The Ashanti Regional Police, in a statement signed by spokesperson Godwin Ahianyo, confirmed the convictions on Tuesday.

The suspects were arrested on June 20 after being linked to the theft of parked vehicles. They were arraigned on July 22, where Ekenze pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour. Friday and Agwazie, who pleaded not guilty, were tried the following day at Circuit Court 3, found guilty, and sentenced to eight years each on two counts, to run concurrently.

On the same day, all three were brought before Circuit Court 1 on fresh charges, where they each received 20-year sentences, also on two counts and to run concurrently. Ekenze later faced Circuit Court 2 on July 24, where he was given an additional 10-year sentence on two counts, running concurrently with his earlier conviction.

In total, the three men will serve a combined 96 years at Kumasi Central Prison.

The case comes amid growing concerns in Ghana about the involvement of Nigerians in criminal activities. In May, a Tarkwa Circuit Court sentenced Patience Gold, a Nigerian woman, to 20 years in prison for trafficking four women, including one living with HIV, into forced prostitution.

Similarly, in July, Ghana Immigration Service arrested 50 Nigerians for alleged cyber fraud and human trafficking during a raid at McCarthy Hills, Accra.

Authorities say the crackdown is part of efforts to curb foreign-linked crimes, but observers warn that repeated cases involving Nigerians are damaging the country’s international image.

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers on Sunday said it would proceed with its planned strike today (Monday) despite intervention by the Federal Government.

NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, confirmed that the government had reached out to the union but maintained that the industrial action would continue pending the outcome of a meeting with officials later today.

The union had on Friday announced that its members would stop loading petroleum products nationwide from September 8, following the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s plan to import 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas-powered trucks for direct distribution to retailers.

In a joint statement signed by Akporeha and the union’s General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG accused the refinery of anti-labour practices, including moves to bar newly recruited drivers from joining any union.

The union described the policy as a violation of constitutional provisions and international conventions on freedom of association. Previous appeals by NUPENG and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners to Dangote to reconsider were reportedly ignored.

To avert the strike, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, on Sunday summoned all parties to a conciliation meeting in Abuja. He appealed to NUPENG to suspend the action and urged the Nigeria Labour Congress to withdraw the “red alert” issued in solidarity.

Dingyadi warned that a shutdown in the petroleum sector would cause severe hardship and revenue losses, but assured that government would work toward a resolution acceptable to all sides.

Akporeha, however, told The PUNCH that there was no concrete offer yet from government and confirmed that the strike would commence as planned.

Petroleum marketers also declared support for the union, saying filling stations would close if tanker drivers downed tools. PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry, said the strike posed a “looming danger” and announced a three-day suspension of lifting and dispensing products beginning Tuesday.

He warned that Dangote’s distribution strategy could force out private depot owners, modular refineries, and independent marketers, with widespread job losses and economic disruption.

NUPENG restated on Sunday that the strike would go ahead, dismissing claims by the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association that it could not speak for tanker drivers. The union alleged that the association was created by the refinery to weaken its ranks.

Labour leaders, including Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero, also condemned Dangote’s policy, describing it as “crude and dangerous”.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), called on government agencies to stop what he described as anti-union and monopolistic practices, stressing that they contravened Nigeria’s constitution, labour laws, and international obligations.

Meanwhile, the Economic Rights Activists urged NUPENG and its allies to suspend the strike, warning that it would inflict hardship on ordinary Nigerians, hike transport fares and food prices, and threaten small businesses.

They appealed to the National Assembly and the Federal Government to intervene, while urging the refinery to address workers’ concerns through dialogue.