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Tinubu Faces Atiku, Obi, APM Monday At The Supreme Court Over His Election As President

October 20, 2023

Bola Tinubu-Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar

By Gideon Njoku

In a move to overturn his victory at the February 25, 2023 Presidential polls, the Candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, and that of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi, will face President Bola Tinubu at the Supreme Court on Monday, October 23, 2023. They are joined by the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, in their bid to unseat Tinubu who was the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the Election.

All the Parties had lost to Tinubu on September 6, 2023, at the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, which dismissed their suits against the President, and affirmed his declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the duly elected President of Nigeria.

They rejected PEPC’s judgement, and proceeded to the Supreme Court which is the final arbiter.

They filed their appeals within 14 days of PEPC’s ruling.

All the appellants have the same grudges, almost, against Tinubu’s declaration as President by INEC. The grudges range from alleged non-qualification of Tinubu to participate in the Election, alleged forgery, non-conformity with Electoral Act (IREV, BVAS), brazen intimidation and disenfranchisement of voters and alleged massive rigging.

A source within the Supreme Court disclosed on Thursday that the appeals will be heard on Monday, unless there is a change of plans.

The Supreme Court is the last bus stop for Obi, Atiku, APM and Tinubu. Whatever the Justices who will be on the Panel decide, will be binding on them and their Political Parties.

It is not known if the ruling will be given same day.

However, serious as the suits seem, Nigeria does not have a history of the Supreme Court, or any other Court for that matter, overturning the election of an already sworn-in President of the Country.

OPINION: Making of A Better Society

The Source

October 19, 2023

By Azu Ishiekwene

I grew up thinking that a judicious mix of crime, sex and money might not only help a publisher turn a good profit but could also be the catalyst for a better society. But my friend, the Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of NaijaTimes, Ehi Braimah, subscribes to a slightly different model.

When he sent me a collection of the editorials by the online newspaper to review, it was obvious that he believes it is possible to change society – for the better – by using a genre different from my old, familiar mix. Which is a bit of a surprise because in his former life, Ehi was old school.

He has had such an extraordinarily buoyant social life as a younger man, he appears to be afraid of getting old. That’s probably why instead of reproducing the old school journalism that extolled sex, money and crime, he is charting a different pathway for a better society, as you would find in the new book from the stable of NaijaTimes.

My first impression of the book, ForA Better Society – A Compilation of Editorials Published in NaijaTimes from September 2020 to July 2023, published by Bookcraft and released this year, is that it reflects the importance the author puts on newspaper commentary with the notion that it holds a crucial place in the overall objective of news production.

The numbers

Newspapers – print and online alike – use the weight of their editorials to achieve any or all of these three objectives: 1) influence public opinion, 2) promote critical thinking, and 3) cause people to take action.

Perhaps it might be useful to give a sense of the analytics of the NaijaTimes website. According to open-source statistics of the site as of October 13, 2023, it currently ranks 1,142,571 globally, with a country ranking of 12,882 and trending up.

That’s not bad, considering that the brand is still in its infancy. Ten percent of its users, which is the highest percentage, comes from Nigeria; 7.56 percent from Antigua and Barbuda; 2.72 percent from the Maldives; 2.46 percent from the United States; and 2.39 percent from Jersey. Other parts of the world, combined, account for 74.79 percent.

Perhaps a far more relevant statistic would be the demographics of the users of NaijaTimes, especially those who read its editorials. Unfortunately, since I’m not a staff, I’ll need to use a hacker’s ingenuity to reach the backend, a skill that is obviously against the ethos of a better society!

We can argue that traditional newspapers with both hardcopy and online presence appear to stick more to publishing daily editorials as part of their content. Many strictly online news platforms do not dedicate much energy and time to editorial publishing for reasons ranging from mode of operation, a lack of proper editorial board, the virtuality associated with content production, and a lack of commitment. The ones that do, publish editorials at intervals – say, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

Not NaijaTimes!

In 35 months, NaijaTimes published 115 editorials broadly covering nine areas, each of which constitutes a chapter in this book – governance, politics, economy, education, security, health & environment, international affairs/diplomacy, sports and tributes/obituaries.

The major events that define the periodcovered by this book are: COVID-19, the #EndSARS protests, the 2023 general elections, and the state of the Nigerian economy. And, maybe we should add notable deaths around the world, and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar to the mix?

#EndSARS and all that

You don’t have to travel far into the pages of For A Better Society before we are thrown right into one of the most defining moments in our recent history. On Page 4 of the book, the editorial: “End SARS protests: Time to address the hard facts,” published on October 18, 2020, the newspaper draws readers’ attention to perhaps why the massive protests eventually yielded little.

It reads: “While those in the South are in support of a complete disbandment of SARS, those in the North are not; rather, they are calling for a comprehensive reformation of the squad… Of course, this kind of argument is expected in a plural society like ours, but we call for caution so that the differences in approach do not distract from the essence of guaranteeing the rights and privileges of members of the society and saving them from the brutality of security agencies.”

In Chapter Six, four out of the nine editorial publications under the Health and Environment dealwith the COVID-19 pandemic. No single event highlighted 2020 like the pandemic, and because NaijaTimes itself was launched just around the peak of it, the newspaper rightly uses it as the peg of its evaluation of the year.

The other editorial “Crisis in APC and PDP: Do Nigerians need an alternative in 2023?”, published on August 15, 2021, captures the exasperation with the two dominant parties, which set the stage for the emergence of Peter Obi of the Labour Party. Obi’s eventual performance as the best third-place finisher in decades in the election was probably a vindication of the newspaper.

One of the most controversial issues in Nigeria’s economy has been the removal of subsidy on petrol announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his inauguration speech on May 29, 2023. The newspaper supports the call for subsidy to be removed and for the government to speedily deregulate the oil and gas sector to allow “free but monitored market interactions to determine exploration, exploitation, processing and supply of petroleum products in the country.”

You know the rest of the story: Subsidy is gone! Subsidy is back!

Mind your language

Perhaps it would be useful to talk briefly, at this point, on the use of language. In my experience, apart from their general staleness and lack of authority, one of the other reasons why a number of readers tend to ignore editorials is the use of ponderous language, like the one I have just used – ponderous!

You may say this collection of editorials looks at the government of Tinubu with rose-tinted glasses. But you cannot say its language is ponderous or ambiguous. It adopts clear, straightforward language and examples in making its case for a better society.

Tribute editorials, for which global brands such as the Times of London and The Economist, are well-known appear to be going out of fashion in our province. Chapter Nine, the final chapter of this book, has a rich array of tributes and obituaries not only because many iconic personalities coincidentally died within the time of its compilation, but also because there is the consciousness to document their journey. From JP Clark to Jerry Rawlings, Diego Maradona to Pele and Queen Elizabeth in-between, For A Better Society got them all covered.

Except, of course, for brevity and uniformity of length, the book is a compilation of what an editorial should be. The newspaper set for itself, the lofty goal of seeking a “better Nigeria with strong institutions, respect for the rule of law and defending the public interest.” This is not a three-year goal, never mind one that can be achieved easily in a society where almost everyone is talking, few are listening, and fewer still are doing right.

A good editorial

But let me borrow the words of Singh A. and Singh S. (2006), in their book,What Is A Good Editorial? “A good editorial should express an opinion without being opinionated. It should teach without being pedagogic. It should transform without being evangelical. It should engulf without drowning. It should motivate to action without making you dictatorial. It should enlighten without getting you dogmatic, prejudiced and egotistical.”

This book is a solid reference material for policymakers and those who seek knowledge in various fields or those who simply want to read balanced and informed commentaries about specific topics. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re the old school of Ehi’s variety or a product of the Arab spring!

And when Ehi has made his money, he should not forget to pay tithe to Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, whose newspaper, Champion, has the proprietary right of the mantra, “Towards a better society!”

Ishiekwene is Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP

Imo Governorship: Uzodimma Pledges Free And Fair Election

The Source

October 19, 2023

Hope Uzodimma - Imo Civil Servant Promotion

Governor Hope Uzodimma has assured the electorate in Imo State that the November 11, 2023 governorship election will be free, fair, credible and transparent.

However, he urged the voters to defend their votes after casting their ballot in order to guard against manipulation.

Governor Uzodimma spoke at the formal inauguration of the Imo Progressives Movement (IPM), an organ that the Convener, the House of Representatives member for Ohaji/ Egbema/ Oguta/ Oru West Federal Constulituency, Hon Eugene Dibiagwu said was initiated to support the reelection of the Governor and chat a new political paradigm for the State.

The Governor reassured the electorate, particularly the Imo youths that the environment would be made conducive for them to cast their ballot.

Besides, the Governor told the Imo youths that he will also “create a conducive environment that will guarantee wealth creation, poverty alleviation, provision of scholarship, provision of standard education where civil servants will receive their salaries, infrastructure will be provided and Imo people will make money, prosperity and development achieved.”

Responding to his endorsement for a second tenure by the IPM members, the Governor thanked the group for its wonderful support, noting that “the march for a new Imo and the road map is largely dependent on the members of the IPM.”

He reiterated that he will continue to serve by way of providing tangible and intangible dividends of democracy and expressed gratitude to members of IPM for their show of support, assuring that he will not take such support for granted.

The Governor used the opportunity to bemoan the opposition for sponsoring killings, thereby stopping people from going to farm, going to market, attending to their trade and work places and asked the sponsors of insecurity to remember that God is at work.

He also beckoned on the youths who are still living in the bush to come out “because the work they are doing from there is that of the devil.”

He assured that he is ready to reintegrate them, counsel and rehabilitate them and make them become human beings again.

Governor Uzodimma enjoined Imo citizens to go out on the day of election and cast their votes, monitor the process, stay within their booths and ensure their votes are counted and moved to the situation room without fear or favour.

He assured that “there must be free, fair, credible and transparent election in Imo State” and that his administration “will guarantee the safety and security of all that will participate in that election.”

Governor Uzodimma expressed absolute trust on INEC, noting that the body had recorded successes in the past in Anambra, Edo and Osun States, and noted that the INEC will do the same in the November election of Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States.

He reiterated his believe in the unity and oneness of Nigeria and emphasised that he stands in the unity of Nigeria.

In his address, the Convener of Imo Progressives Movement (IPM), Hon Eugene Dibiagwu said that the essence of the formation of the organization is to support the Governor’s reelection through quality political education, to identify successes in governance and how to inspire people to vote in the right direction.

Also, he said the idea was to stop persistent campaigns of calumny targeted at destroying the legacies of the Governor and to ensure that the retrogressive kind of politics is forever destroyed in Imo State, noting that “Imo politics must be issue-based, refined, result-oriented and morally astute.”

Again, he informed the mammoth crowd that the “political platform cuts across diverse political interest with a defined mandate to support and facilitate the reelection of Governor Hope Uzodimma.”

“Imo Progressive Movement are working with the other similar organisations as fishers of voters and supporters and promoters for the reelection Governor Hope Uzodimma in the November 11 2023 governorship election in Imo State,” he said adding that the IPM remains the eternal compass as they surgeon together for the Governor of Imo State.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Ikedi Ohakim, a former Governor of Imo State, described the inauguration and campaign flag-off as “the grand finale of all endorsements and campaigns.”

He commended the Governor for his good works that have made the work of those following and campaigning for him easy and seamless and informed that “the IPM is made of over 40 supports groups.”

He reminded the gathering that the Charter of Equity is real and cannot implement itself “but through somebody and that person for now is Governor Hope Uzodimma.”

He used the opportunity to caution against scuttling the good intentions of the Charter of Equity.

Introducing the essence of Imo Progressives Movement, the Director General, Comrade Jeff Nwoha said that the different groups, after considering all options to the stake at the Douglas House, narrowed down their choice to Governor Uzodimma “considering his fairness, developmental strides, infrastructural development, youth empowerment and all inclusive administration.”

He said they all decided to endorse him as one and only governorship candidate for the November, 11 2023 elections and promised that the movement will continue until the mandate is achieved.

The event was attended by key stakeholders in the Imo State politics.

PSC Denies Recruitment Of Criminals Into NPF, Says New Kano Constabulary Not Regular Police, But Recognized By Law

Ayodele Oni

October 19, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The Police Service Commission (PSC), has cleared the air on the recruitment of 50 repentant thugs as Special Constabularies in Kano State. The PSC in a statement said the recruits are not police officers, but recognized by law.

Report indicated that 50 out of the 222 repentant youths had volunteered to help police fight crime, after de-radicalization, reformation and comprehensive profiling.

The statement issued on Thursday by Ikechukwu Ani Head, Press and Public Relations, of PSC, stated that Special Constabularies are not Police men.

The Statement reads: “The attention of the Police Service Commission has been drawn to the operations of the Special Constabulary in Kano state, especially the issue of a repentant criminal said to have been recruited into the organisation.

“The Commission wishes to state categorically that the Special Constabulary are not Police men and not recognized as such by the Commission and Government.

“The Commission, however, notes that the Constabulary operations are covered and recognized by the Police Act and are readily useful and needed now that the nation is fighting to end the siege of criminals across the country.

“The Commission is in touch with the Kano State Police Command and is aware that the use of the Constabulary is to support the Police in building a crime free Kano State.

”It is necessary to state that the men and women recruited as Special Constabulary are posted to work in their locality where they will be in a better position to fish out the criminals terrorizing the place.

”Some of the repentant influential youths previously used in the past as political thugs and abandoned have realized that crime does not pay and have voluntarily offered themselves to assist fight for a crime free state.

”The Commission is also aware that the Kano Special Constabulary has received adequate training and are working in their Local Government areas as required by law but under strict supervision of the State Police Command.

“Their engagement is obviously for visibility and to promote Sustainable peace, economic growth and development of the state.”

The statement added that “Chairman of the Commission, Solomon Arase, CFR, former Inspector General of Police says the Commission will continue to partner with the Police to ensure an improved security of lives and property in the country.

“Arase noted that security is not only a government responsibility but that of every Nigerian and called for a citizen based approach to security in Nigeria.”

He, however, disclosed that the Commission in consultation with the Inspector General of Police will ensure that the uniform of the Constabularies are clearly differentiated from that of the Nigeria Police Force to avoid cases of identity crisis and also define their specific roles in the security architecture of the nation.

Tinubu Removes Newly Appointed FERMA Chairman, Imam

Ayodele Oni

October 19, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

In response to public criticisms over his appointment, President Bola Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of the nomination of Engr. Imam Kashim Imam earlier appointed to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

There have been outcry over Imam heading such a sensitive agency, citing his age and experience. He was 24 years old, and one year post-NYSC.

The removal is coming less than two weeks after he, along with other board members, were named

Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, explained in a statement on Thursday that the removal is with immediate effect.

The statement reads “The President’s withdrawal of the above-mentioned nomination is directed with immediate effect.

“All other appointments to the Board and Executive Management team of FERMA are not affected by this directive.”

Supreme Court Hears Obi’s Case Against Tinubu’s Presidential Victory Monday, October, 23, 2023

The Source

October 19, 2023

By Gideon Njoku

The much expected hearing of the appeal filed by Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, LP, against the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, which affirmed the victory of Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s President will, all things being equal, come up on Monday, October 23, 2023 at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Tinubu, the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the February 25, 2023 Presidential Election, winner. But both Obi and the Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, cried foul, and filed a case before the PEPC, seeking to overturn the declaration of Tinubu as President.

However, a couple of weeks ago, PEPC dismissed the cases of both Candidates as without merit, prompting them to appeal to the Supreme Court.

A source within the Supreme Court disclosed on Thursday that Obi’s appeal will be heard on Monday, unless there is a change of plans.

The Supreme Court is the last bus stop for Obi, Atiku and Tinubu. Whatever the Justices who will be on the Panel decide, whether any of the three of them likes it or not, will be binding on them and their Political Parties. It is not known yet when Atiku’s appeal will be heard.

Obi and Atiku cited many issues on which they are appealing Tinubu’s victory, including alleged certificate forgery, rigging, nationality and other sundry issues.

Nigeria does not have a history of the Supreme Court, or any Court, overturning the election of an already sworn-in President of the Country.

Ondo Permanent Secretaries Get SUV As Official Vehicles

Ayodele Oni

October 19, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has presented brand new SUVs to Permanent Secretaries in the State as official vehicles.

Media aide of the Governor, Richard Olatunde stated that the gesture is coming 14 years after the former Olusegun Mimiko’s administration distributed Toyota Corolla saloon cars to the Permanent Secretaries in the State.

According to the statement, in 2019, Governor Akeredolu had provided reconditioned vehicles to the Permanent Secretaries to enhance their work efficiency.

The new SUV vehicles were presented to the Permanent Secretaries at the 2023 Public Service Week held in Akure.

Representing the Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, commended the beneficiaries and urged them to continue working diligently to justify his administration’s trust.

“We expect you to remain innovative and proactive in advancing the development of our state within our REDEEMED Agenda.”

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Chairman of the Forum of Permanent Secretaries in Ondo State Public Service, Mr. Bunmi Alade, expressed gratitude for Governor Akeredolu’s remarkable gesture, highlighting the unprecedented presentation of SUVs as official vehicles for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

He pledged the unwavering loyalty of Public Servants in Ondo State to Governor Akeredolu’s administration, adding that their commitment to delivering excellent services is unwavering.

The Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele, acknowledged Governor Akeredolu’s dedication to improving the quality of life for Ondo State workers.

He noted that the presentation of brand new official vehicles to the Permanent Secretaries would enhance their status.

“We can now see that Mr. Governor is genuinely concerned about our well-being. With this enhancement, the role of our Permanent Secretaries is elevated, and I can assure you that our best is yet to come.”

NLC Fingers Labour Minister, Lalong In NURTW Crisis, Threatens Strike

Ayodele Oni

October 19, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The relative cordial relationship between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), is being threatened, again, as the Organized Labour has accused the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, of taking sides in the crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW).

With this development, the NLC said the Minister is trying to scuttle the implementation of the recent agreement it had with the Federal Government.

The NLC warned that another industrial crisis is looming if the Minister refuses to stop his action.

In a statement, NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, said that Government was giving support to the illegal faction of the NURTW and encouraging them to conduct their own delegates conference, both zonally and nationally to confer legitimacy to their action.

“In a shocking turn of events, the Federal Minister of Labour, Mr. Lalong, has thrown a spanner in the wheel of the implementation of the Labour – Federal Government Agreement by his unmasked partiality in handling a critical item in the agreement which is the apparent government meddling in trade union matters by siding with people, who had illegally seized the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) headquarters with police support.

“The illegal group is now being encouraged to conduct its own delegates’ conference, both zonally and nationally to confer legitimacy on their action. Such acts not only constitute interference in the internal affairs of a union, in violation of ILO Conventions 87 and 98, but also represents a clear attempt to sabotage the recently ratified agreement between the labour movement and the Federal Government.

“The Minister’s decision, which is clearly morally reprehensible and legally untenable, marks a disheartening departure from the expected standards of conduct within the nation’s industrial relations sphere.

“Despite initial assurances from the Minister regarding the illegal occupation of the NURTW’s National Headquarters, the democratically elected leadership, led by Comrade Tajudeen Baruwa, has not been reinstated.

“This serves to affirm our earlier apprehension that the State was maneuvering to orchestrate a coup d’état against the democratically elected NURTW leadership, potentially alluding to the support of the Government, as suggested by Minister Lalong’s actions and statements.

“There is no doubt, both to us and the Nigerian public, about the Government’s intentions regarding the implementation of the October 2, 2023 agreement.

“It is evident that akin to the NURTW issue, the execution of other facets of the agreement may be jeopardized.

“Therefore, we take heed of Minister Lalong’s actions, which flagrantly violate an accord responsibly endorsed by all involved parties.”

President Tinubu Appoints New CEOs For Agencies Under Federal Ministry Of Information

The Source

October 19, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

It is the turn of parastatals and agencies under the Federal Ministry of Information as President Bola Tinubu approved the appointments of eight new Chief Executive Officers to superintendent over them.

Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, in a statement listed the new appointees as National Orientation Agency (NOA), Director-General / CEO — Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu; Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) — Director-General / CEO — Mr. Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos.

Also, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) has Mohammed Bulama as Director-General / CEO;

National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Director-General / CEO, Charles Ebuebu while Voice of Nigeria (VON) — Director-General/ CEO is Mr. Jibrin Baba Ndace.

Others are Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Director-General / CEO, Dr. Lekan Fadolapo; News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Managing Director / CEO, Mr. Ali Muhammed Ali and Nigerian Press Council (NPC),Executive Secretary / CEO, Mr. Dili Ezughah.

It added that “The President tasks the newly entrusted leadership in these important sub-sectors to innovate and create new opportunities for Nigerians to leverage upon through the effective reform of these key institutions of government which function to unify our people, reshape mindsets, and showcase this great nation to the rest of the world.

“By these directives of the President, the above listed appointments take immediate effect.”

“I Walked Out Of Plenary Session Over Niger Republic Crisis” – Senator Ndume

Akinwale Kasali

October 19, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Senator Ali Ndume, Chief Whip of the Senate, has debunked the storyline that he walked out of Plenary on Tuesday over the Senate President’s method of handling issues at Plenary.

He said his action had nothing to do with Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, but necessitated by two things – a discussion on the closure of the boarder between Nigeria and Niger Republic, and the observance of his prayer time. Ndume is a Muslim.

Speaking on the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, Hausa Service, the Senator who represents Borno South Senatorial District explained that the rationale behind his departure was related to his decision to leave during the discussion of a topic concerning the closure of Nigeria’s borders.

He explained that the situation stemmed, “when Senator Kawu Sumaila proposed a motion which he said was urgent on closing the border between Nigeria and Niger.

“At first, it was argued that the motion was not urgent, but the President of the Senate let him finish what he wanted to say.

After hearing the motion, it was agreed that since it is related to security, it should be suspended.”

He said he intended to clarify the importance of the motion to the Senate, but the Senate President refused to grant him the chance to address the issue.

“I would like to clarify that the motion, although impactful, falls outside the jurisdiction of the Nigerian Senate.

“The closure of the border was not initiated by the President of Nigeria, but rather during his tenure as President of ECOWAS. As such, he has the authority to advocate on our behalf.

“In order to address this matter, it is imperative to involve the President of our nation, but I was not afforded the opportunity to convey this message.

“While this was happening, it coincided with the time of prayer, prompting my departure. Consequently, my colleagues misconstrued my exit, and the journalists changed the meaning of my exit,” Ndume said.

It would be recalled that during the plenary session, Ndume raised concerns that he believed were violations within the Senate.

He had used a point of order to draw the Senate President’s attention to what he perceived as “procedural infringements” taking place in the Chambers.

This action went against established parliamentary procedures as Akpabio interrupted Ndume’s speech and, at that point, the Senator left the Chambers for his office.

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