So once more, we're coming up to National Day, October 1, when all other cares and worries of the world take a back seat as we celebrate all things Nigerian. We flock to the streets in green and white, play 'Arise O Compatriots', and make merry as we eat jollof rice with dodo and chicken.

But why October 1? Sure, it was the date that we were gifted political independence by the British, but I honestly do not believe that its significance is felt viscerally by many present day Nigerians...

You know the old saying - "if at first you don't succeed..." Well obviously, it's harder to practice than to understand. Nevertheless, persistence does have its rewards - and a case in point is the eventual triumph of Malam Bacai Sanha who has succeeded in his third bid to become the elected president of Guinea-Bissau, and who took office just a week ago.

Sanha had been president before in 1999, but only in a caretaker capacity. He did run for president in the elections to choose...

If you ask most people who are somewhat conversant with US geography the capitals of the following states:

- Illinois;

- Florida;

- Michigan;

- New York;

- California;

- Texas;

- Pennsylvania;



you might probably get the following answers:

- Chicago;

- Miami;

- Detroit;

- New York;

- Los Angeles...

With the death of Michael Jackson over a month ago, the names of the people he had worked with during his career began to pop up in the media. So we heard of Berry Gordy, the boss of Motown, where he was first signed to. We heard of Quincy Jones, who masterminded his two phenomenally successful albums, Off The Wall and Thriller. But one name we didn't hear much of was Rod Temperton.

It's possible that you'll respond by saying Rod Who? You might not have heard of Mr. Temperton, but...

So I read in the news a few days ago that Barack Hussein Obama was meeting Dmitri Anatolyevich Medvedev in Moscow for 'talks'.

I also read that the leaders of the G8 were meeting in L'Aquila in Italy, also for 'talks'.

My question is - what exactly is the point of all these 'talks'? What exactly are they talking about that can't be discussed by representatatives of these leaders?

OK, perhaps it's all about publicity. Big men coming together to talk always...