Interview of the Week - Obasanjo Speaks About his Quarrel with Musician Idris Abdulkareem

In his latest interview, Nigeria's most hard-working, patriotic, globally respected but highly-criticised ex-president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo talked about his quarrel with Kennis Music act, Idris Abdulkareem, when the former sang his controversial hit - Nigeria Jagajaga.

Below are the ex-president's response to a question relating to the subject put to him by Punch correspondents:

"How can anybody call his own country jagajaga? There are many things wrong with our nation, but so also are many things wrong with other nations. But I won’t call my own country jagajaga; it is wrong. If things are wrong, let us try and put them right. Those countries that we sing their praises now were not like that 100 years ago. 

When I first went to Britain in 1957, there was no motorway, none. What Hitler built for Germany, maybe 20 years earlier, none. And you could count the number of houses that had television but today, it is a different thing. So I won’t describe my own country as jagajaga. I will say yes, we have problems. We were talking earlier on about my early life, while I was growing up, there was only one university in Nigeria - the University of Ibadan. Today, there are more than 120. That is progress...."

read the complete interview here>>

More Nigerians Groan as Food Prices Soar

The steady rise in the prices of food items, beverages and fruits all over the country has become a major source of headache for the average Nigerian family. A nationwide survey by the media at some major markets in the country, showed a a sharp increase in prices.

Funny enough, this is contrary to the July inflation figure released by the National Bureau of Statistics just two weeks ago in Abuja... It would be recalled that the figure stated that inflation had dropped from 10.29 per cent to 9.4 per cent in July 2011.

Sometimes one is forced to wonder where our government agencies get their data from giving the prevailing circumstances in the markets and other public places.

Nigerian Lawmakers to be Trained in London

In what is being described as a move to consolidate the gains of democracy in the country, two international organisations have entered into strategic partnership, with a view to organising a series of tailor-made training seminars for Nigerian lawmakers in London sometime in November 2011.

According to Actiview Solutions, facilitators of the programme: “The initiative is in line with the international community standard of foreign policy, adopted by governments and international organisations that seek to support the spread of democracy throughout the political systems in the African continent, by stabilising politics at the local level and strengthening the economy by attracting direct foreign investment.”

What they won't tell us, though, is how much of tax payers and our crude money will be used expended on this trip to the Queen's land... Secrecy remains a big issue in public finance and administration in this country.

Mercy Johnson Weds At Last, Becomes a Princess

On Saturday 27th of August 2011, Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson, tied the knot with Prince Odianose Okojie. On Friday the couple completed their traditional marriage rites in Lagos. And since Odianose Okojie is an Ishan Prince, Mercy is now officially an Ishan Princess.

However, secrecy was said to be the other of the day as the new venue for the reception was only disclosed to invited guests and journalists few hours to the stipulated time. Insider sources even alleged that journalists were not allowed to use their cameras as freely as they would have wanted... Whatever the case may be, the much talked about wedding has come and gone, against all odds. 

We wish the couple a blissful married life... Congrats!