NORTH AT THE TOP OF MAPS - POLITICS OR FACTS

Most modern day maps typically show an orientation with the north at the top of two dimensional depiction. In order eras, different directions at the top were more prevalent  and all directions have been used by different societies and culture to depict our world. The biggest factors that contribute to north being commonly placed at the top of a map include the invention of the compass and the understanding of magnetic north and the egocentricity of society, mainly in Europe.

THE COMPASS AND MAGNETIC NORTH

The discovery and use of the compass in Europe in the 1200-1500s may have greatly influenced many modern- day maps with north at the top. A compass points to magnetic north, and Europeans, like other cultures long before, noticed that the earth spins on an axis that is relatively pointed at the north star. That idea combined with the concept that when we look up we stars, contributed to the north being placed at the top of maps, with words and symbols being placed relative to that viewpoints.

EGOCENTRICITY OF SOCIETIES.
Egocentricity is having a view or perceptive that revolves round you or your situation at the center  Thus, in cartography or geography, an egocentric society is one that places itself in either the center of a depiction of the world, or at the top. Information at the top of a map is commonly viewed as being both more visible and more significant.
Since Europe was powerhouse in the world, producing both heavy exploration and printing press - it was instinctual for European mapmakers to put Europe (and Northern Hemisphere) as the focus at the top of maps. Today Europe and North America remain dominant cultural and economic forces, producing and influencing many maps - showing the Northern Hemisphere at the top of the maps.

DIFFERENT ORIENTATIONS.
Most early maps, before the wide-spread use of the compass, placed east at the top. This is generally thought to be due to the fact that the sun rises in the east. It was the most consistent directional maker.

Many cartographers show that they want to be the focus at the top of the map, and therefore, influence the orientation of the map. Many early Arab and Egyptian cartographers placed south at the top of the map because, having most of the world they knew to be the north of them, it drew the most attention to their area. Many early settlers of North America created maps with west-east orientation that resulted from the direction that they primarily traveled and explored. Their own viewpoint greatly altered the orientation of their maps.

in the history of map making, the general rule of the thumb is whoever made the map is probably at the center or the top of it. This rings most true for centuries map making  but has been greatly influenced as well with European cartographer's discovery of compasses and magnetic north

BOKO HARAM WILL END NOW

The chicken has come home to roast. We can vouch that the end to Boko Haram insurgency is close at hand.
In this country pot holes are not covered until a top politician dies in an auto crash in or around them.
In this country nobody cares how luxury operators kill our brothers in numbers, but once there is a plane crash licenses will be revoked and probe panels set up.
Kidnapping was thought to be the problems of the expatriates and 'other' people till the mother of Finance minister was kidnapped. Soldiers were drafted in and she was rescued promptly, whether ransom was paid or not is not relevant here.
Oluwole market was bubbling until a son of a notable Naval officer was duped and the citadel of forgery and counterfeit was reduced to a rubble.
In this country, a thief is never apprehended until a police inspector is a victim in a robbery shoot out.
Where I am going with this is very clear and let me be fast before i drift off coast.
The recent attack on the revered Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero which many have attributed to the dreaded Boko Haram, though unfortunate is a welcome development. Boko Haram will end soon.
Just like i wrote after the bomb explosion in Ikeja cantonment some years back, we are now feeling the Afghan bomb at our back yard.
The innocent limbs of  our christian, muslim and pagan friends are crying for the heads of the great.
When we fail  to stop a tiny bubbling water, it has now led to its total extinguishing of the fire.
The rich who has been avoiding the churches, the markets and the mosques can not avoid to travel on the same road we all go.
The enemy you avoided at home will meet you on the road.
The attack on the Emir has brought to fore the total insecurity in the country which is now defying the long chain of police escorts that is usually the prerogative of the rich.
This is just the beginning, who knows who the next target will be - maybe Jonathan.
I pray our case will not be worse than Somali, Mali or Afghanistan.

Gov. Sullivan Chime is Alive!!!

Speculators will now rest as this picture showing Gov Chime standing with Govs Akpabio, Suswan and Amechi in London is a clear indication that Gov. Sullivan Chime is hale and hearty.
It was highly rumored that Gov Chime died in an undisclosed hospital in India. The tension generated by the rumor made some political opportunists to demand that the deputy governor be crowned the governor of the State.
Until now Gov. Chime was last sighted in the public on 18th September, 2012. The governor has been battling with an undisclosed ailment. Just like the Yar Adua's, his immediate cabinate members has made the nature of his ailment a matter of top secret. Journalists had been apprehended in the past and their information databases quarantined to stop them from reporting anything that goes close to his ailment.
This picture however will go along way in dousing the tension already generated in the State since disappearance on September.

2012 IN REVIEW

 FLOODING IN LAGOS

ALAUSA LAGOS

AWOLOWO WAY IKEJA

AZAZI AND KADUNA GOV PLANE CRASH

OLYMPIC 2012

JONATHAN AND DAME

DANA PLANE CRASH

BALOGUN MARKET FIRE INCIDENT

FLOODING IN LAGOS

FUEL SUBSIDY RIOT OJOTA

FLOODING IN LOKOJA

BOKO HARAM SUICIDE BOMBING

NO TO MAULAG YES TO UNILAG

THE ALUU 4

GUINNESS UNVEILS THE WORLD LARGEST JERSEY

In a bid to drum up support for the Super Eagle in the ongoing African Cup of Nations, Guinness Nigeria Plc yesterday at Taslim Balogun Stadium unveiled the world largest jersey.
The 275.5 x 245.9 sqm jersey was unveiled and it is expected that millions of Nigerian will sign it to support the super eagles in the on going AFCON cup in South Africa.
Fans have the opportunity to write messages on the jersey which will be on display between 21st to 25th February, 2013.
However, Nigeria Super Eagle failed to hold the Burkinababes to 1-0 victory. A 94th minute goal from Burkina Faso ended what would have been the first victory to the Eagles' to a 1-1 draw.

CHARLES OKAH FOUND GUILTY

A south African court today found Charlse Okah guilty of masterminding the twin car bombing during the 2010 independence day celebration in Abuja.
Stay with us for details on the story.

40 DECOMPOSED BODIES FOUND IN EZUU RIVER ANAMBRA STATE.

Dozens of unidentified bodies numbering about 40 were found floating on Ezzu River in Amansea, a border town between Anambra and Enugu State.

The situation generated panic as people wondered where could have come from.

The Anambra State police command has confirmed the story and said that investigation is under way to unravel the mystery.

Meanwhile the Gov of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi has cut short his trip to abroad to enable him visit the scene of the incident.

The traditional ruler of Amansea said that such a gory situation has never happened in the state.