Nuggets

Since Alex Last became the BBC's correspondent in Nigeria, he's been working really hard. This week alone, he's sent two wonderful despatches which show he's immersing himself in Nigerian culture. Earlier this week, he sent a despatch on the resurgence of highlife music, interviewing Fatai Rolling Dollar, and speaking to young Nigerians. Today, on World Today, he hitches a ride on an Okada to discuss the nighttime ban on the deathtraps. BBC Newsonline has what is more or less a transcript of the report. But you can also listen to it as part of the World Today's podcast. If that doesn't work, try Newshour, which also ran the same report.

I've searched but can't find the highlife music report. However, I can assure you that it was what you can only be called "saliva radio" - it makes you drool. Music mostly marinated in nostalgia, and effusive characters; makes for radio so good you can almost literally touch it. In June, there was also a report on dwarfs in Nigerian films (watch here). The great thing about Alex Last is that there isn't an iota of condescension in his reporting, which can't be an easy thing to do when reporting from a country like Nigeria. I being presumptious here perhaps, but, my hope is that places like Nigeria aren't stepping stones for reporters to move on to "greater things", like say New York or Brussels. We need good correspondents in our own right, rather than people just passing through.