Robbi's Blog

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sell Nigeria’s 11 presidential jets. Bruce also said that maintaining the jets N5.3 billion per annum is against common sense. The Senator made the call via Twitter on Monday, June 22, 2015. He said: “I appeal to @MBuhari to sell off our 11 presidential jets. Maintaining them at the current ₦5.3 Billion per annum is against #commonsense.” “Does it make #commonsense that our presidential air fleet is larger than the combined fleet of the Queen of England and the British PM?” “We need a common sense revolution. Though I know its not practical, I almost wish @MBuhari would appoint a minister for common sense!” “The Annual cost of maintaining Presidential Fleet (₦5.3 Billion) can pay for 10k NYSC Corpers to start a business at 500k each #commonsense.”

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has declared that no toll will be collected at the second point on the Lekki- Epe Expressway. Ambode also assured that his government would be one of continuity with improvement. The governor made the comments on Sunday, June 21, 2015, during an interactive session with journalists at the Banquet Hall of the Lagos House, Ikeja, a statement by his media aide, Habib Aruna said. It reads: “We must start thinking of the future concerning that road. We said we will have an International Airport in Epe, and an Export Processing Zone in Lekki and a Deep Seaport also in Lekki.” “Should we not start thinking about how we will improve and create a 10-lane road between Ikorodu, Itoikin, Epe and Ijebu Ode so that people can go out from there? There is no point constructing the road, paying tolls and in five years’ time, the road is gone.” “As more means of transportation come on board, the more than 600,000 private car owners and 120,000 motorcycle

 The scientists on Thursday described experiments involving a small fish called the medaka, or Japanese rice fish, that revealed the role of a gene called foxl3 in controlling the fate of germ cells. Providing insight into the sometimes mysterious biology of reproduction, researchers in Japan have identified a gene that controls whether the reproductive precursor cells known as germ cells eventually become sperm or eggs. The scientists on Thursday described experiments involving a small fish called the medaka, or Japanese rice fish, that revealed the role of a gene called foxl3 in controlling the fate of germ cells. Germ cells are present in the bodies of vertebrates of both sexes, but the molecular mechanism that drives them to develop into either sperm, the male reproductive cell, or an egg, the female reproductive cell, has been elusive. In determining that foxl3 serves as a genetic switch for deciding the sperm-or-egg question, the researchers found that

According to reports, the inauguration of Nigeria’s 8th National Assembly has been postponed. The gates of the Assembly complex are said to have been shut by police officers keeping out both legislators and staff of the legislative house. The security officials reportedly told people gathered outside the gate that the inauguration had been called off. They also said that the order to shut the gates came from the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wilson Inalegwu . Nigeria’s legislators are also expected to choose their new leaders today. Story developing.

 Michigan is now the 21st state to confirm a case of bird flu since late 2014 and the 6th to detect it only in wild or free-ranging bids .  The United States is currently battling what is being described as the worst outbreak of bird flu in the country. According to Reuters, Michigan yesterday (Monday) reported that Canadian geese in the state tested positive for a lethal strain of bird flu, bringing the worst outbreak of the disease in US history to a 21st state. Director of the  Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Keith Creagh said the state is now focusing on preventing the spread of the disease to poultry. Over 46 million chickens and turkeys have been killed across the US by the disease, or culled to prevent spread of the disease. Michigan is now the 21st state to confirm a case of bird flu since late 2014 and the 6th to detect it only in wild or free-ranging bids. The director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Jamie Clo

Kendrick Lamar, Chris Brown, Trey Songz and Big Sean were all scheduled to play at the event, billed as "the hottest hip hop event of the year." robbinews.blogspot.com New Jersey State Police guarding the gates outside of the Hot 97 Summer Jam 2015 at MetLife Stadium had bottles thrown at them by people in the crowd who were trying to get inside -- some without tickets -- and they later used tear gas to try to disperse them, according to officials. Kendrick Lamar, Chris Brown, Trey Songz and Big Sean were all scheduled to play at the event, billed as "the hottest hip hop event of the year." State police said crowds of people tried to "illegally" force their way into the sold-out concert Sunday night and became upset when the gates were closed and blocked off by police in riot gear.  Police said crowds began climbing over fences and forcing their way through security personnel. The gates to the stadium were shut and troopers were called i

South African athlete Oscar Pistorius is set to be released from prison on parole in August after serving 10 months for culpable homicide in the killing of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp , a family member said. The Olympic and Paralympic track star is currently serving a five year prison sentence after being convicted in October following a seven-month trial. " Oscar will be released on parole by the end of August ," a Pistorius family member who did not want to be named told Reuters. Officials at South Africa's department of correctional services were not immediately available to comment. The release of Pistorius, whose lower legs were amputated when he was a baby, was largely expected because he was sentenced under South African law to serve a short period of time in jail, or just one-sixth of the sentence. Pistorius is being held in South Africa's capital at the Pretoria Central Prison, once the execution site for opponents of So

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently in Germany to attend the G7 summit set to begin on Monday, June 8, 2015. Buhari arrived in Munich on Sunday, June 7, and was hosted, along with other world leaders, by the President of the Free State of Bavaria. The President is set to present Nigeria’s wish list to the G7 leaders as earlier requested by the group. This was disclosed via a statement released by Buhari’s media aide, Garba Shehu . It reads: “The President said he has used every opportunity at his disposal ahead of this meeting to discuss the country’s needs with specific reference to terrorism and development needs at person-to-person meetings and phone conversations with some of these leaders.” “These development issues, many and varied as they are, touch on the economy, combating corruption, increased foreign direct investment, FDI; power and energy, infrastructure, environment, enhanced transparency in elections and good governance.” “President Buhari

  As of yesterday (Sunday), health officials confirmed that over 23 have contracted the disease, bringing the total number of cases to 87. South Korea has recorded a 6th death from the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) , even as there are reports of a sharp rise in the number of cases in the country. As of yesterday (Sunday), health officials confirmed that over 23 have contracted the disease, bringing the total number of cases to 87. Over 2,300 people have been placed under quarantine and nearly 1,900 schools have been closed.   reports that 17  of the 23 new cases were infected at the Samsung Medical Centre in Seoul , even as all the infections so far have been confined to hospitals with transmission occurring between patients, staff and their families in close contact. Health officials have since released the names of the 24 hospitals,  mainly in Seoul and the province of Gyeonggi , involved in the outbreak. This comes as Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon

Pop singer, Wizkid has been honoured with an award for his selfless contribution to the Nigerian music industry as well as taking his music to the world. Billed to perform to students of the University, the Jaiye Jaiye singer was all smiles as he was honoured by the student and management of the school. Spotting a dark attire with a hood, Wizkid accepted his award and thanked staff and students of the university. In his words, ' Thank you Cyprus International University for the love. Thanks to the Staff of CIU and the entire students that waited at the airport to show me love! Tomorrow we go all the way up!! Blessings nd love!! '

The allegations follow a U.N. report documenting the involvement of French and African soldiers in the sexual abuse of young children while on a peacekeeping mission between December 2013 and June 2014. The U.N.'s peacekeeping force in Central African Republic ( MINUSCA ) said on Thursday it has begun a probe into claims that one of its peacekeepers sexually abused an underaged girl. The allegations follow a U.N. report documenting the involvement of French and African soldiers in the sexual abuse of young children while on a peacekeeping mission between December 2013 and June 2014. " The UN's head of mission Babacar Gaye is extremely concerned about these allegations and immediately launched the investigation process and informed the government of the Central African Republic ," MINUSCA said in a statement. MINUSCA said that the abuse by the peacekeeper allegedly occurred in the country's east and that measures had immediately been put

A Pennsylvania, USA, woman has been arrested on charges of rape after she allegedly had sex with her 17-year-old son, World Wide Weird News reports. Williamstown Police said that the teenager told investigators that he forced his mother to have sex with him by blackmailing her. Police received a report about the sexual encounter shortly after it occurred and swiftly arrested the woman, believing the boy to be a victim in the case despite claiming he blackmailed his mother into having sex with him. The woman has been placed on bond while the boy has been taken a to a juvenile home and is being treated for trauma associated with the incest.

 For breaking the 'No Selfie' rule at the 2015 Met Gala in May, the 'KUWTK' star will no longer be appearing in the pages of the magazine Kim has been banned from appearing in Vogue Magazine by the Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour after breaking the rules at the 2015 Met Gala by taking selfies. It was reported that the head of Vogue instituted a 'No Selfie' rule at the biggest fashion event in New York last May, and Kim was one of the many celebrities to break it. According to the June 15 issue of OK Magazine , it’s now forbidden to even mention Kim in pages of Vogue and according to an insider, the embargo may also stems from the backlash Wintour received from putting Kim and Kanye West on the May 2014 cover . The source adds that Kim ignoring Anna's rule at the 2015 Met Gala was the last straw, and ''until further notice, Kim isn’t allowed in Vogue, by name or by picture.'' This wouldn’t be the first time that Vogue has d

 The journalists are charged with aiding a terrorist organisation, a reference to the Muslim Brotherhood, which was outlawed in Egypt after the army ousted Islamist president Mohamed Mursi amid mass protests against his rule in 2013. A Cairo court on Thursday adjourned the retrial of Al Jazeera television journalists to June 11 for more closing statements by the defence team. The journalists are charged with aiding a terrorist organisation, a reference to the Muslim Brotherhood, which was outlawed in Egypt after the army ousted Islamist president Mohamed Mursi amid mass protests against his rule in 2013. Mohamed Fahmy , a naturalised Canadian who has given up his Egyptian citizenship, and Egyptian Baher Mohamed were released on bail in February after spending more than a year in custody. A third Al Jazeera journalist, Australian Peter Greste , was deported in February. The journalists were originally sentenced to between seven and 10 years in prison on charge

 The blast was caused by a fire that erupted at a nearby lorry terminal then spread to the petrol station and other buildings, fire brigade spokesman Prince Billy Anaglate said. An explosion at a petrol station in Ghana's capital Accra killed about 90 people, many of whom had sought shelter there from torrential rain, on Wednesday night, the fire brigade said. The blast was caused by a fire that erupted at a nearby lorry terminal then spread to the petrol station and other buildings, fire brigade spokesman Prince Billy Anaglate said. It ripped through the filling station, operated by GOIL , shattering windows and walls and reducing the station to rubble. " It was an explosive fire and so the people sheltering at the filling station did not have an opportunity to escape ," Anaglate said. Firefighters battled the blaze into the early hours while police and soldiers joined emergency crews helping rescue people trapped in the wreckage, Accra Mayor Oko

  Some witnesses said Mandla threatened Ngudle with a gun Nelson Mandela 's oldest grandson, Mandla Mandela , has been sentenced to two years in prison or pay a fine of $817 for assaulting a school teacher in 2013. Mandla, who is a legislator for the ruling African National Congress (ANC), was found to have attacked a teacher, Mlamli Ngudle , in a 2013 road rage incident in Mthatha, Cape Province, South Africa . The prosecutor said Ngudle had allegedly bumped a parked vehicle belonging to one of Mandla's friends. Some witnesses said Mandla threatened Ngudle with a gun. The prosecutor said even the court in Mthatha during the trial confirmed that the legislator was arrogant and evasive during his testimony. He said the legislator had been found guilty of assault in March. Mthatha made headlines in 2013 when a judge ordered him to return the remains of his father and two other children of Nelson Mandela to Qunu , their ancestral home. He had moved them to a

An Arab air strike Saudi artillery shelling in northern Yemen killed 19 civilians and wounded dozens of others, Yemen's state news agency Saba reported late on Wednesday, as residents reported further air raids around the country on Thursday. and The report by Saba, which is controlled by Yemen's dominant Houthi movement, could not be independently confirmed. Local sources told the agency that Wednesday's air strike had killed 13 people. They also said six people had been killed when their car was struck by a tank shell in a neighbouring district near the border with Saudi Arabia. A coalition of Arab states has been bombing Houthi forces, the strongest faction in Yemen's civil war, part of a campaign to restore President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power. The bombing began in March shortly after he fled to Saudi Arabia. The Houthis say they are part of a "revolution" against corruption. They seized the Yemeni capital Sanaa last Septe

  Alexis Sanchez saved a girl who was desperate to take a photo with him from police troubles Arsenal forward, Alexis Sanchez showed off his soft side on Tuesday, June 2 in his home country of Chile as he save a fan from the police. Sanchez who just landed in Chile to join up with his national team for the Copa America came to the aid of the girl who was desperate to take a photo with him. As the 26-year-old emerged, the girl ran towards him but was stopped by the police. Sanchez however pleaded with the police to let go of the girl and posed for a photo with her. anchez will be hoping to replicate his Arsenal phone for Chile as they are set to challenge for the Copa America which they are

 Drake was meant to be one of the original artist partners of Tidal but pulled out of the deal. Drizzy wasn't the only artiste who didn't show up. According to new reports, Canadian rapper Drake reportedly dumped Jay Z 's Tidal streaming service a few days before its launch in March. Drake was meant to be one of the original artist partners of Tidal but pulled out of the deal. Drizzy wasn't the only artiste who didn't show up. The rapper is now pitching his tent with the giant Apple that is about to float its own streaming service, Apple Radio. As part of its strategy to dominate the market, Apple plans on signing celebs to curate playlists on the platform. Drake, Pharrell have been pencilled to be DJs on Apple Radio. Early this week it was reported that Apple had plans to sign Drake for $19m. The world famous brand has denied this figure. " Apple doesn't normally pay artists for those types of collaborations " a source told Billb

The bills were introduced by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang. The Nigerian Senate, in a shocking move, passed 46 bills in 10 minutes today, June 3, 2015. The bills were introduced by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Ita Enang , Vanguard reports. The rapid passage of the bills was said to have led to confusion in the upper house. Senate President, David Mark however urged anyone who was dissatisfied with the development to submit their names and signatures for consideration on Thursday, June 4.

Van Vicker is having the time of his life while visiting his motherland, Liberia; a country which was severely attacked by the Ebola epidemic last year . The Ghanaian actor, who was invited to mark the 40th anniversary of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) also participated in a nearly three miles walk to meet with Ebola survivors at the JFK hospital on May 31. The movie star took to his Instagram to keep his 166,000  followers abreast with his activities by posting a photo showing him hugging some of the survivors. He captioned: ''I practically proved a point in Liberia by hugging Ebola survivors to debunk stigmatization in the society. These individuals living here have been traumatized and all they need is nothing but love and affection. We are all one people. God bless Liberia.'' Vicker also took part in a charity football game where he had the chance to meet and greet young fans who have dreams and goals to meet. ''The soccer game

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has said that it does not have the authority to make public details of the assets declared by President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo . The CCB made the disclosure in response to calls by individuals and groups that the public should be informed of the net worth of Nigeria’s new leaders. However, while speaking to Vanguard through his Special Assistant, Gwimi Sebastian Peter , CCB Chairman, Sam Sada stated that only the National Assembly has the power decide the terms and conditions under which such documents could be made public. “While the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) and the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act give the bureau powers to receive assets declarations, verify, examine, keep in custody and enforce compliance when there is a breach, the responsibility of determining how and on what terms asset declarations will be made accessible to the public was left to the National A