Historic Buildings With Present Relevance

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><strong>Buildings are countless, and while some are more impressive than others, there are a few buildings that are so jaw-droppingly amazing that you cannot help but marvel at how such creations came into being.</strong><br /><br />Here are 6 really amazing structures;<br /><br /><strong>COLOSSEUM (Italy)</strong><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img align="middle" alt="" border="0" data-zoom="1" height="360" hspace="5" itemprop="image" src="http://img.naij.com/151x85c/n/0c/3/colosseum_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" vspace="5" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img align="middle" alt="" border="0" data-zoom="1" height="360" hspace="5" itemprop="image" src="http://img.naij.com/151x85c/n/01/7/colosseum_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" vspace="5" width="640" /></div>'Maximus, Maximus, Maximus!' could audibly be heard in the CGI-created colosseum in the film Gladiator.<br /><a name='more'></a> The Colosseum also an amphitheatre was built in Rome, Italy under Emperor Vespian and his succesor Titus from 70 AD- 80 AD. With over 50,000-80,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladatorial contests, public spectacles like mock sea battles, animal hunts, execution, dramas, and recently concerts etc. On a humorous note, the amount of lives lost there is enough for ghosts to haunt Rome for a lifetime.<br /><strong><br />TOWER OF LONDON (England)</strong><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img align="middle" alt="" border="0" data-zoom="1" height="360" hspace="5" itemprop="image" src="http://img.naij.com/151x85c/n/08/f/tower_of_london_viewed_from_the_river_thames.jpg" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" vspace="5" width="640" /></div><br />Founded in 1078 by William the conqueror, the Tower of Liberty, a historic castle on the north bank of River Thames, is a resented symbol of oppression inflicted upon London by the ruling elite. Serving as a royal residence early in history, it was also used as a prison from 1100-1952. Incredible! Not only that, it had the reputation for torture and death. Interestingly, guys, Elizabeth I was a victim before she became queen.Well, as you would expect, it's now turned to a money-making venture or what you would refinedly call a tourist attraction.<br /><strong><br />THE FORBIDDEN CITY (China)</strong><br /><img align="middle" alt="" border="0" data-zoom="1" height="360" hspace="5" itemprop="image" src="http://img.naij.com/151x85c/n/01/f/the_forbidden_city_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" vspace="5" width="640" /><br /><img align="middle" alt="" border="0" data-zoom="1" height="360" hspace="5" itemprop="image" src="http://img.naij.com/151x85c/n/0b/10/forbidden-city.jpg" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" vspace="5" width="640" /><br /><br /><br />Up until recently, I only knew of the forbidden fruit, apparently there is a forbidden city, too. How  astounding! Built from 1406-1420, the forbidden city was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Quing dynasty which now houses the palace museum and occasionally serves as performance venue. The forbidden city was the residence of the terrestial Emperor and his family, and was regarded such because no one could enter or leave the palace without the Emperor's permission. I tell you, guys, no theory can prove otherwise that these Emperors were chronic sadists.<br /><br /><strong>EIFFEL TOWER (France)</strong><br /><img align="middle" alt="" border="0" data-zoom="1" height="360" hspace="5" itemprop="image" src="http://img.naij.com/151x85c/n/07/b/eiffel_tower_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" vspace="5" width="640" /><br /><br />If you are scared of heights like me, don't attempt to consider this place as tourist destination or honeymooning visit. Why? Standing at a staggering 1063 ft.equal to an 81 storey building located on the Champ de Mars in Paris France and named after Gustave Eiffel (whose company was in charge of the project), it ranked as the tallest structure in the world for 41yrs. It is the most visited paid monument in the world. What's more, it has 3 levels for visitors to ascend with restaurants on the first and second floor. Ascension can either be done through stairs or elevator.<br /><br /><strong>TAJ MAHAL (India)</strong><br /><img align="middle" alt="" border="0" data-zoom="1" height="360" hspace="5" itemprop="image" src="http://img.naij.com/151x85c/n/01/6/taj-mahal-10-480x360.jpg" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" vspace="5" width="640" /><br /><br />Finished in 1953 by 22,000 people, the Taj Mahal (crown of places) stands in awe of anyone who beholds it. This monument is even more impressive in that it takes different colouring at different times of the day, from a pinkish hue in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden at night when lit by the moon. Built in the memory of the emperor's third and most favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal took 17 years to be completed. Quite amazing is that the death of his favourite wife so crushed the Emperor that all his hair and beard were said to have grown snow white within a few months (well, he should have known better when he attempted to turn his wife into a baby making factory and create a football team through her as she died delivering their 14th child). Unbelievable! I'm particularly moved by the love-thingy part though; whatever 'efo riro' (vegetable) that that woman gave this man, I'd really love to have a taste and whatever love potion he was given, it certainly worked wonders.<br /><strong><br />GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZA (Egypt)</strong><br /><strong><img align="middle" alt="" border="0" data-zoom="1" height="360" hspace="5" itemprop="image" src="http://img.naij.com/151x85c/n/07/c/gizapyramid.jpg" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" vspace="5" width="640" /></strong><br /><br /><img align="middle" alt="" border="0" data-zoom="1" height="360" hspace="5" itemprop="image" src="http://img.naij.com/151x85c/n/03/5/great-pyramid-of-giza.jpg" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" vspace="5" width="640" /><br />Being the oldest of the Seven wonders of the Ancient world, and the only one to remain largely intact, the Great pyramid of Giza is a solid masterpiece that was built with such accuracy that the current technology can not replicate it. Concluded in 2560 BC, it was the tallest structure in the world for 3,800 years. More incredible is the mortar used in the construction which, along with some architectural work, makes it possible for it to withstand any earth quake or heat expansion. I could just imagine our senators doing their usual gladatorial contest in this pyramid from the upper chamber to the lower chamber.<br /><br /><br /><strong><em><span class="c1">- by Kalejaye Abayomi</span></em></strong></div>

Historic Buildings With Present Relevance

Buildings are countless, and while some are more impressive than others, there are a few buildings that are so jaw-droppingly amazing tha...

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A MUST READ: Impact Of Social Media On Relationships

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><strong>No doubt, social media has come to stay in our lives as a powerful tool of communication and even in our personal relationships, helping minds alike to stay connected, spread information and share stories with one another.</strong><br /> <br /> But it is surprising how this key factor to a good relationship also can be a severe cause of bitterness and separation in relationships.<br /> <img align="middle" alt="" border="0" data-zoom="1" height="180" hspace="5" itemprop="image" src="http://img.naij.com/151x85c/n/02/2/messymedia3.jpg" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" vspace="5" width="320" /><br /> <div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Helen, a pained housewife said; "my husband always holds his Iphone and keeps checking for notifications and also plays stupid games while laying down on the bed. I am tired of doing all the house chores and taking care of our son all alone while he fondles with his phone. What can be done to change this situation?"</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="c1">This married man also competes with social media for his wife's attention:</span> "My wife suffers from constant checking of Facebook notifications and any application pop-ups. Although she doesn't do it during dinner or any of our discussions, it does eat away a lot of her extra time." Peter explained.</div><a name='more'></a><br /> <div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Another married woman, Peju, has something different to say: "My husband has been the most wonderful man of all time. Even in his busy schedules at work, he still finds time to put a call across or just chat in-between meetings to know how the children and I are doing throughout the day."</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Now, from the above experiences, we can come to the conclusion that the social media has its negative and positive roles and effects in various relationships.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">While Helen might think the emergence of new technologies and various social media networks isn't really<span class="c2"> </span> a nice idea, Peter obviously is a middle person who thinks of both the advantages and the disadvantages hand in hand while Peju is totally a happy person in the name of how social media has enhanced her marriage.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The truth is, it is what you make out of social media that you get from it. You cannot keep consuming precious moments meant to be shared with your loved ones,on Facebook, Twitter etc or on your phone games and expect that things are just good or everything just keeps working normally!,no...nothing will be normal! However, when you spend a considerable and aggregate amount of time necessary without over-doing it, things just work out fine.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">In our everyday activities, as we try to do the public show of<span class="c2"> </span> supposedly "doing good" on our various social media platforms, we must always bear in mind that as we are trying to impress people who really do not matter to our lives, we must always ensure that our private lives and people who really matter to our well being, have our adequate attention without feeling ignored.</div><br /> <br /> <strong><em><span class="c3">- Adams Odunayo</span></em></strong><br /> </div>

A MUST READ: Impact Of Social Media On Relationships

No doubt, social media has come to stay in our lives as a powerful tool of communication and even in our personal relationships, helping m...

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Okada Mechanics Protest Over Illicit Confiscation Of Bikes

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><strong>The mechanics under the aegis of Federal Motorcycle and Generator Mechanical Association of Nigeria (FEDMGMAN) stormed Babatunde Fashola's Office to express their displeasure over arrest and impoundment of no fewer than 1,000 motorcycles from their workshops.</strong><br /> <br /> The protesters paralysed activities at Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, claiming that the policemen, while enforcing the Road Traffic Law 2012, would storm workshops where motorcycles were being repaired and impound any 'okada' they see.<br /> <br /> The Road Traffic Law 2012 was enacted by the state government to return sanity to roads in the state.<br /> The motorcycle (okada) mechanics stormed the Governor's Office at about 4:00 pm, chanting several anti-government songs and displaying placards with inscriptions such as "Enough of police harassment,"<br /> <br /> "Police leave us alone," "We are doing our legitimate business," "Repairing okada is our legitimate source of income," among others.<br /><a name='more'></a><br /> <br /> A letter to state governor Babatunde Fashola, signed by the National President of FEDMGMAN, Ganiyu Jimoh, says: "Following the ban on okada in Lagos, officers of the Nigerian Police, Lagos State Command have been arresting my members and impound any okada found within their workshops.<br /> <br /> "We understand that okada riders are banned from plying some specific roads in Lagos but certain roads were exempted by the law. Okadas plying these exempted roads go through wear and tear, hence they need repair. When these Okadas are brought to our workshops for repair, policemen come to the workshop and impound any okada found within the premises."<br /> <br /> According to secretary of FEDMGMAN, Jimoh Sulaymon, they embarked on the protest to expose the illicit act of the policemen.<br /> <br /> The solicitor to FEDMGMAN, Mr. Segun Ayodele, lamented that several motorcycles had been impounded by policemen in workshops under the pretense that they were enforcing the road traffic law 2012.<br /> Superintendent Wale Ajao addressed the protesters saying that they should come back in another fortnight to meet with the governor.<br /> </div>

Okada Mechanics Protest Over Illicit Confiscation Of Bikes

The mechanics under the aegis of Federal Motorcycle and Generator Mechanical Association of Nigeria (FEDMGMAN) stormed Babatunde Fashola&#...

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Brazil 2014: Can The Eagles Bring The Trophy Home?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b>Since the opening match of the 2014 world cup which saw Brazil beating Croatia hands down even with the own goal, and Netherlands unbelievably wiping Spain's butts with the 5-1 goals, different opinions, comments and reactions have been trailing the possibilities of our beloved Super Eagles bringing the World Cup home.</b><br /><br /><br /><img align="middle" alt="" border="0" data-zoom="1" height="180" hspace="5" itemprop="image" src="http://img.naij.com/151x85c/n/07/4/eagles_vs_iran.jpg" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" vspace="5" width="320" /><br /><br />From the inception of the 2014 World Cup, the Eagles have received various moral support from many. While our president, Goodluck Jonathan encouraged them to bring the trophy home, the Senate president, David Mark has also charged the Super Eagles to operate with the "never-say-die" spirit typical of a Nigerian and go on to win the 2014 coveted World Cup in Brazil.<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />The head coach of the Eagles has told Nigerians not to use the friendlies to judge the performance of the Eagles as they have reserved all their energies for the main match and not mere friendlies.The most beautiful girl in Nigeria, Anna Banner has also shown support for the Super Eagles in her own little way while Mercy Ajisafe, an OAP, popularly known as omo London went ahead to strip down just to tease our Super Eagles to victory.<br /><br />With these encouragements and more, Nigerians are still of the opinion that mixing up of home-based players with foreign ones at this last minute, not minding whether they blend well or not might be a huge mistake. Many young Nigerians think it is going to be a magic for the Super Eagles to bring the trophy home.<br />Some of these young football lovers were questioned by the Naij.com team on the possibility of the Super Eagles returning home with the cup. See their reactions below;<br /><br /><b>Mayowa Oduniyi</b><br /><br />It is impossible for Nigeria to bring the 2014 World cup home. I am a christian and I know with God, nothing is impossible but this is football, you cannot use faith at all.<br /><br /><b>Sanni Taofeek Oladimeji</b><br /><br />Nigerians should better wake up.That Super Eagles will bring the 2014 trophy home is future impossible tense.You are not even praying for them to get to the next round, you are talking about them bringing the trophy home.<br /><br /><b>Anonymous</b><br /><br />It is pretty simple. Accurate preparation helps success. We all saw the matches so far...Do you think the Super Eagles are that prepared? We should not deceive ourselves with being sentimental. For Nigeria to win the game, it will be a great miracle.<br /><br />If someone has had huge and a floating expectation from the Eagles..with the above reactions and comments, it is sure the expectations will be deflated by now.<br />Do you have a different opinion from the above, or do you completely agree? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.<br /><br /><b><i><span class="c1">- by Odunayo Adams</span></i></b></div>

Brazil 2014: Can The Eagles Bring The Trophy Home?

Since the opening match of the 2014 world cup which saw Brazil beating Croatia hands down even with the own goal, and Netherlands unbeliev...

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Countries That Allow Or Forbid Their Players To Have S*x During World Cup

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <b>While World Cup fans enjoy watching their favorite teams on the soccer field, they stay oblivious about what players do in between games.</b><br /> <br /> There are certain nations that either allow their teams to be engaged in s*xual activity or completely ban to hop in bed with whomever they want during the World Cup.<br /> <br /> So which hot soccer studs can get it on while heating up Brazil?<br /> <br /> <b>Countries That Allow Their Teams to Engage in S*x:</b> Germany, Spain, USA, Australia, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Uruguay and England<br /> <br /> <b>Countries That Completely Ban S*x:</b> Russia, Chile, Mexico, and Bosnia and Herzegovina<br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6589160015449763735" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> However, the World Cup s*x rules aren't black-and-white. For some nations' teams, it's complicated.<br /> For example, French players can only have s*x if it doesn't last all night (if soccer stars have one thing it's stamina!), while the Nigerian team can have s*x if it's with their wives (sorry, no girlfriends). As for Brazil, a country known for hot bods, Brazilian players are allowed to get jiggy with it as long as it's not acrobatic (come again?).</div>

Countries That Allow Or Forbid Their Players To Have S*x During World Cup

While World Cup fans enjoy watching their favorite teams on the soccer field, they stay oblivious about what players do in between games....

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