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Insecurity: Lawyers Canvass Synergy Between States, Federal Government

By
Ayodele Oni
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Akeredolu with Lawyers

By Ayodele Oni

Two-state branches of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) and International Federation of Women Lawyers,(FIDA) took turns to condemn those behind the attack on a Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo state early this month.

The delegation, from Oyo and Ondo States also used the occassion to inform Governor Olwarotimi Akeredolu about the plan by the NBA to honour him.

A statement by Richard Olatunde, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor stated that the First National Secretariat of the NBA in Abuja is to be named after Governor Akeredolu.

The team was led by the Chairman of NBA, Owo Branch, Mr. Olatunbosun Aganun. They specifically condemned the gruesome June 5th, 2022 attack in Owo.

The lawyers commended Governor Akeredolu for the establishment of Amotekun Corps in the South-West region to protect the lives and property of the citizens of the zone.

“The huge impact of Amotekun has really been shown here. They have been doing their best in terms of security, especially securing lives and property.”

They made case for true federalism, adding that more powers and concentration should be given to States.

“Federal Government has been enjoying full concentration, which has left State Governments with less concentration, which reflects no true federalism.”

The Lawyers also said strong synergy between the state government and Federal Government will help in building the security architecture of Nigeria.

They added that those injured and families of those that lost their lives must be well compensated.

The Lawyers informed that the National Leadership of NBA is set to name the first National Secretariat of the Association in Abuja after Governor Akeredolu due to his selfless service while he was the NBA president.

Receiving the delegation, Governor Akeredolu, appreciated the lawyers for their visit, adding that all hands are on deck to get the perpetrators of the evil act.

Akeredolu noted that no effort would be spared in protecting the lives and property of the citizens.

Owo Catholic Church Attack: Traditional Worshippers Restrict Movement; Seek Deity’s Intervention

By
Ayodele Oni
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Catholic Church in Owo

By Ayodele Oni

The terrorists attack of Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, remains unforgettable in the minds of the people as they have resorted to seeking help from deities to expose perpetrators of the incident.

Traditional worshippers in the ancient town, on Wednesday, issued a restriction of movement order to enable them invoke the spirit of Ogun, God of iron, to track the gunmen.

The Olowo of Owo kingdom, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye has, however, clarified that there won’t be restriction of human and vehicular movements on Thursday, as Ogun Worshippers perform open rituals.

The open ritual, which starts  on Thursday afternoon in the ancient town is expected to extend till Friday, in order to lay curses on the killers of 40 worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church on Sunday, June 5, 2022.

Report said no incident of such magnitude had been witnessed since the founding of Owo Kingdom.

Special Assistant on Media to the Olowo, Samuel Adewale in a statement, noted that residents, as well as travelers passing through Owo have nothing to fear, as the rites won’t affect movements.

“Against the back drop of announcements that have been on air for couple of days concerning the planned invocation of ‘god of iron’ (Ogun) curses on perpetrators of the dastard attack on the Catholic Church in Owo few days ago, I am directed to inform the general public that, the traditional step being taken by the worried stakeholders in the community, concerns all and sundry in the land.

“It requires the cooperation of everybody, but this scheduled traditional step for tomorrow, does not in any way disturb the normal daily routine of inhabitants and visitors alike in the ancient town, as there would be no restrictions to human and vehicular movements.

“Please note that, even the designated areas where the people in charge of the invocation are to perform the necessary rituals, are also free for movements, but it is only that, there would be strict traffic control.

“To this end, no member of the public is disturbed to carry out his or her lawful economic and social activities as the programme will only last for one hour.

“Therefore, you are advised to go about your daily life activities without any molestation what so ever.”

Ekiti Gov Election: SDP Alleges INEC Official Is Governor Fayemi’s Ally

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Segun Oni

By Ayodele Oni

Barely 72 hours to the election of a new Governor in Ekiti State, the Social Democratic Party, (SDP), has cried out that the presence of a Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) in the state is a threat to a free and fair poll.

The INEC official, Prof Kunle Ajayi, is the supervising National Commissioner in charge of Ogun, Ondo and Osun states.

A statement in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday by the Public Relations Officer of the SDP in Ekiti State, Gani Salau, urged the Professor of Political Science to distance himself from the election because he is an interested partner in the election.

“We are getting his covert and clandestine influence on the process of the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Ekiti State and we are warning him seriously to stay clear and he should be on the part of honour as an umpire.

“Yes, we know he is an Ekiti man but his job as INEC National Electoral Commissioner indicates that he is to remain an arbiter and allow INEC officials saddled with the conduct of this election to do their job without influence so that the votes of Ekiti electorate will count.

“We urge INEC to remain neutral in the conduct of this election because all eyes are on Ekiti and we should get it right this time.

“The whole world is watching us and we urge INEC Chairman, Professor Mammood Yakubu to maintain his integrity and shouldn’t succumb to the pressure of the agents of this failed APC Government in Ekiti State.”

SDP further claimed that Prof Kunle Ajayi is close to the outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi and he is being handed a directive that he should use his status to influence the election to the favor of the All Progressive Congress.

Kunle Ajayi, a professor of political science, until his appointment as the National Electoral Commissioner of INEC from Ekiti State was formerly the Dean, Faculty of Social sciences, Ekiti State University.

Tension In South East As Unknown Gunmen Threaten To Behead Sit-At-Home Violators

By
The Source
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0

By Charles Igbo

There is heightened tension in the South-east of Nigeria over a threat by “Unknown Gunmen” to, henceforth, begin the beheading of those who violate the sit-at-home order.

In a notice, they drew the attention of all stakeholders, including Security agencies,  Traditional Rulers,  President-Generals of autonomous communities, and Chairpersons of Market associations that anybody caught violating the order will be beheaded.

They also warned Security Operatives in Anambra State, in particular, against harassing any of them as the Operatives will not be spared.

The notice titled:

WARNING! WARNING!! WARNING!!! ~UGM reads:

 

“WE THE UNKNOWN GUNMEN HAVE REACHED THE CONSENSUS, AND WANT TO BRING TO THE NOTICE OF THE FOLLOWING:

*1. THE IGWES’

*2. THE PRESIDENT GENERALS (Pgs’)

*3. THE COMMUNITY CHAIRMEN

*4. CHIEF SECURITY OFFICERS

*5. THE COMMUNITY SECURITIES (VIGILANTE)

*6. THE COMMUNITY POLICING

*7. NIGERIA POLICE FORCE (NPF) 8. THE MILITARY OPERATIVES

*9. EBUBEAGU SECURITY NETWORK 10. THE LANDLORDS AND LANDLADIES

*11.THE MARKET CHAIRMEN

*12. THE VARIOUS TASKFORCE (AGBORO)

“THAT IF ANY OF THESE GROUPS MENTIONED ABOVE VENTURES TO PICK, HARASS OR SABOTAGE ANY YOUTH OF ANAMBRA STATE AND THE REST OF BIAFRA LAND, SHOULD WITHOUT DOUBT BE BEH**DED. YOU ARE SERIOUSLY WARNED!

“2. WE ALSO SHOULD NOT WARN ANY INDIVIDUALS, ESPECIALLY THOSE COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO FEEL WE ARE JOKING BY NOT COMPLYING WITH THE SIT-AT-HOME ORDER, RATHER THEY GO ABOUT THEIR BUSINESSES, RATHER, URGE THEM TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR DISOBEDIENCE UNTIL THEY FACE THE DESIRED CONSEQUENCES THAT ARE COMING VERY SOON.

“3. WE WANT TO REAFIRM THAT NO SECURITY AGENCIES OF ANY KIND SHOULD BEAR ARMS FOR ANY REASON, IF FOUND WITH ANY, SHOUD FACE OUR BATTLE, TO BEFORE WARNED IS TO BEFORE

“Follow our page for the latest news and update”

 

The sit-at-home order in Igboland was initiated by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, to pressurise  the Federal Government to, unconditionally,  release its Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from the FG’s custody.

Kanu has been in FGs custody since June, 2021, when he was renditioned to Nigeria from Nairobi, Kenya. He is being prosecuted in an Abuja High Court for sundry allegations, including terrorism and treasonable felony. The IPOB Leader vehemently denies the allegations.

When the sit-at-home order came into effect, the order was for it to be observed every Monday of the week, and the days Kanu would appear in Court.

However, the leadership of IPOB had since modified and restricted its observance to only the days Kanu would appear in Court. They said they did so in consideration of the hardship it was inflicting on the people of Igboland, and the bloodshed which accompanied it.

But it has not quite worked as some people have continued to enforce it. Both Kanu and IPOB have, on a number of times, disclaimed the group and said they have nothing to do with their activities. They, particularly, condemn the violence and bloodshed in Igbo land.

Not a few people are wondering if this warning notice came from Igboland as the suspicion is that some rogue Fulani herdsmen are wreaking havoc on Igboland under the cover of unknown gunmen.

A security source dismissed the notice as mere “scare-mongering.”

Ekiti Gov Election: SDP Candidate, Segun Oni, Invites Anti Graft Agencies To Prevent Vote Buying

By
Ayodele Oni
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Segun Oni

By Ayodele Oni

The Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the Saturday’s election in Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, has emphasized that anti graft agencies should be on ground to arrest those that attempt to bribe electorate.

Oni who spoke to Journalists on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti also denied that he entered into a  deal with former Lagos State Governor and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to step down ahead of the Saturday’s poll.

According to him, he and Tinubu were once intimate political bed-fellows, but clarified that the APC National leader’s emergence as a Presidential candidate won’t sway him to abandon his governorship aspiration or compromise it.

The former Governor’s picture with Tinubu dominated social media on Wednesday prompting insinuation that he struck a deal to step down for the candidate of APC Biodun Abayomi.

“Let me say that this is a lie, I have not seen Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for over a year now. I am here for the Ekiti people and I will not compromise the interest of Ekiti people for anything.

“I am not also desperate. I am a contented person and I am not a person that can be bought with money, I can’t be purchased. So, I did not meet anybody anywhere to compromise my candidacy.”

Oni assured that he won’t betray the confidence reposed in him by being steadfast and honest in the prosecution of the election adding that his entry into the Governorship contest was prompted by clarion call by the people of the state.

On vote buying, the SDP candidate condemned politicians planning to buy the conscience of the people in the election, describing vote-buying as an unpardonable criminal offence in the face of the law.

He also appreciated the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) for its resolve to work with the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) and Independent Corrupt and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to tackle the perpetrators of the criminal tendency.

“EFCC and ICPC operatives must clamp down on those who want to be in power at all cost, but as good as this is, our people must resist an unlawful arrest. Nobody should be arrested unlawfully while others are being protected. The clampdown must be total.

“If anyone commits an offence, let him be arrested lawfully through a warrant of arrest. We have seen a situation   position of the ballot box must be such that you drop your ballots before the prying eyes of the buyers saw where you voted.”

“This doesn’t mean some people will not be paid for rendering services for us, but for vote-buying, SDP is bluntly opposed to this.”

IGP Puts Smiles On Faces Of Relations Of Deceased Officers

By
Ayodele Oni
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Oyeyemi Oyediran disbursement to Police Officers Widow

By Ayodele Oni

As a morale booster to serving officers and relief for relations of policemen that lost their life in active service, relations of deceased policemen attached to Ondo State Police Command got a reprieve from the Inspector General of Police Alkali Usman Baba on Wednesday.

The State Commissioner of Police, Oyeyemi Oyediran, distributed the sum of N35 million to  widows of Police Officers who died while serving their fatherland in the state.

The CP, who presented the various cheques to the widows of the late Officers informed the beneficiaries of the Inspector-General of police, Alkali Usman Baba, magnanimity to ensure that the welfare of both late officers’ families and active police officers is paramount to him and has vowed to ensure that non of the family members of slain Officers will suffer or regret serving the nation.

He urged the families of the late Officers to make judicious use of the token of love extended to them by the Inspector General of Police to improve their family welfare especially the children of the deceased.

The representatives of the families appreciated the effort of the Inspector-General of Police in improving their lot despite the fact that their husbands were late and that the Police had proven to them and the world at large that the labour of their husbands were not in vain.

They promised to use the money to establish themselves for the betterment of their family.

Also at the ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, CP Oyediran decorated newly promoted officer in the command.

Amongst those newly promoted are the Commandant, Police Training School, Oyin Akoko and the Area Commander in charge of Owo Area Command, from the rank of an  Assistant Commissioner of Police to  Deputy Commissioner of Police.

The Divisional Police Officer, Ore Divisional headquarters and the Officer in charge of the Commissioner of Police Special Intervention Squad were also decorated as Assistant Commissioners of Police.

While other beneficiaries of the promotion were elevated from the rank of  Assistant Superintendent of Police to Deputy Superintendent of Police, Inspector to Assistant Superintendent of Police.

While congratulating them, the CP admonished them to redouble their efforts as to who much is given, much is expected.

He enjoined them to be role models to their subordinates and work hard to justify their new ranks and also appreciate the Inspector-General of Police effort in improving their welfare.

PDP VP Slot: Wike Adjudged Best Candidate – PDP; Says His Energy, Brilliance, Commitment Recommend Him

By
Uche Mbah
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Nyesom Wike

By Uche Mbah

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says that the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has been adjudged by the Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) as the most qualified for the position of its Vice Presidential candidate.

The Party made this clear in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba,  where it  denied that Ologunagba, spoke to Reporters on Wednesday and asked them to disregard the news that Wike has been chosen as the Party’s Vice Presidential candidate.

In the statement signed by Ologunagba late Wednesday, the PDP said its National Publicity Secretary never spoke to any Reporters on Wike.

It said that Ologunagba was in an interview session with Arise Television where he was  asked if the Party had concluded its choice of a VP candidate. It said that , “In response, the National Publicity Secretary stated that the PDP is a Party of process and that consultations and discussions were still ongoing in the selection process.”

The PDP, therefore, dismissed as “mischievous the claim that its National Publicity Secretary made any reference to Governor Wike. Any such claims the Party said is designed to destabilise the Party in the months leading to the 2023 General Elections.

In what seemed like a subtle confirmation that Wike has been endorsed as the VP candidate, the statement said: “In fact, Governor Wike’s energy, brilliance commitment and passion were acknowledged by the National Working Committee (NWC) of our party and he is adjudged as the foremost candidate in consideration for the position of the Vice Presidential candidate of the  PDP.”

Following is the full text of the statement.

V.P Candidate: Disregard Misrepresenting Report on Gov. Wike – PDP Tells Nigerians…Clarifies Position

“The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to misrepresenting reports in some section of the media purporting that it had dismissed the reported emergence of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike as its Vice-Presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections.

“The said misleading reports quoted the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP. Hon. Debo Ologunagba as stating such while addressing some journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, June 15, 2022.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the National Publicity Secretary did not at any time address journalists on the said subject matter as quoted in the misinforming reports.

“To set the records straight, the National Publicity Secretary was a guest on Arise TV Morning Show on Wednesday morning where he answered questions on PDP’s preparedness for the 2023 general elections as well as June 18, 2022 Ekiti State Governorship election

“In the course of the interview, the presenters requested some clarifications on reports in the media that the PDP had concluded its processes on its Vice-Presidential Candidate.

“In response the National Publicity Secretary stated that the PDP is a party of process and that consultations and discussions were still ongoing in the selection process.

“It is therefore mischievous to claim that the PDP National Publicity Secretary made any reference to Governor Wike. Clearly, such distorting claim in a section of the media is the design of mischief makers who are bent on destabilizing our Party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“If anything, our Party reiterates its confidence in Governor Nyesom Wikes’s outstanding ability and commitment to the ideals and values of the PDP. His records of achievement as a Local Government Chairman, Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Minister of State for Education, currently Governor of Rivers State and the runner-up in the PDP Presidential Primary stand him out as possessing requisite qualities, qualifications, capacity and wide acceptability for the position of the Vice-Presidential candidate of our Party.

“The various positions creditably held by Governor Nyesom Wike distinguished him as an excellent team player in public governance.

“In fact, Governor Wike’s energy, brilliance, commitment and passion were acknowledged by the National Working Committee (NWC) of our Party and he is adjudged as the foremost candidate in consideration for the position of the Vice-Presidential candidate of the PDP.

“While the PDP notes the interest of the media and the public in our Party’s choice of Vice-Presidential candidate it is imperative to state that as an organic Party, all our processes will be followed through in strict adherence to our procedures before any official announcements.

“The PDP urges Nigerians to disregard the mischievous reports aimed at undermining our Party’s unity at this critical time.”

Wike, a former Minister for State, Education, under the Government of President Goodluck Jonathan, was a Presidential aspirant in the just concluded PDP Presidential Primary.

He came a respectable second to the winner, former VP, Atiku Abubakar.

During the campaign for the Primary, Wike had consistently emphasised that he would never be the Vice Presidential candidate and was not campaigning for that.

Veteran Nollywood Actor, Yinka Ogundaisi Dead, Buried

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Yinka Ogundaisi

By Akinwale Kasali

Death has once again hit the Nigeria Movie Industry, Nollywood. It has lost one of its finest Actors and Filmmakers, Yinka Ogundaisi.

The Actor died Wednesday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital after  a protracted ill-health which resulted in the paralysis of his legs.

Disclosing the death of the seasoned Actor, Ropo Ewenla in a WhatsApp message to members of the Ibadan Film Circle (IFC), a group the late filmmaker/film marker belonged to in a Statement said, “Today, one phase of history came to an end. Erin ti wo. The elephant rises no more. Yinka Ogundaisi bid this world farewell at dawn. It was Kate Adepegba who dropped the bomb on my lap. I called Uncle Yinka’s number to confirm and rudely, it was so.”

After the legendary Late Chief Duro Ladipo, Ogundaisi was the next actor to play the legendary Sango in ‘Oba Koso’.

He resuscitated and repackaged the longest-running Yoruba TV programme, ‘FEYIKOGBON’, and was a member of the cast of ‘The Village Headmaster,’ he also authored a crime fiction titled ‘The Charmed Lock.’

His movie credits include; Give and Take, Destiny, Hostess, Ọmọge (Damsel), – Pardonable, Unforgivable, Happy Homes (a drama series once aired on DSTV among others.

Ogundaisi had suffered the paralysis of his legs, a condition for which he sought financial aid to undergo surgery.

It was gathered that he initially had complications of twisted intestines, hernia, and enlarged prostrate in 2013.

He was buried in Ibadan same Wednesday evening.

Tinubu: My VP Will Be Christian From North-East

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Adesina Soyooye

Amidst the controversy over who the running mate to the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will be,  the candidate seems to have made up his mind on where his Vice President will come from, and of which Religion.

Since Tinubu, a Muslim from Southern Nigeria emerged as the candidate of the APC, speculations have been rife over who should be his running mate.

Some have advocated for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

For instance, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, in advocating for a Muslim-Muslim ticket said that Tinubu, being a minority Muslim from the South, cannot run with a Minority Christian from the North. He says it is a recipe for failure.

To allay the fears of Christians, Kalu pointed out that Tinubu’s wife of over  40 years is not only a Christian, but a Senior Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. As Tinubu’s wife, Kalu said, his wife. Senator Remy Tinubu, will be  the “de facto Deputy President” of Nigeria.

But a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, thinks otherwise. He says any Muslim-Muslim ticket will be a failure for the APC as Christians in the North will never support it.

Amidst stories that Tinubu had been given three names to choose from – Senator Kashim   Shettima, a former Governor  of Bornu State, Professor Babagana Zulum, incumbent Governor of Borno State, and Mrs Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, all Muslims,  Tinubu has said his running mate would be a Christian from the North-east.

He revealed this in Ekiti State on Wednesday, where he went to campaign for the APC candidate in upcoming  Governorship election on Saturday.

According to him, those spreading the story that he had picked a Muslim running mate are mischief makers, who are afraid of his candidacy and are doing everything to present him and the APC in bad light. He dismissed them as “undemocratic elements” who are afraid of his “imminent victory” at the polls.

Tinubu: “The VP slot belongs to the North Eastern Region, and particularly, the Christians. But consultations are yet ongoing as to who will be decided.”

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, is from the North-east. An APC VP from that zone, will surely eat into Atiku’s votes.

Uzodimma Never Advocated Muslim-Muslim Presidential Ticket, Says Imo Govt

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

Imo State Government has debunked the claim by some media outlets that Governor Hope Uzodimma advocated a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, in a statement in Owerri on Wednesday (June 15) said at no time did the Governor canvass such a position.

He said rather, Uzodimma was emphatic that religion was not mentioned as a factor in the Constitution for the election of a President or his Vice, adding that what the country needed was a good government that will accommodate the religious and ethnic diversity of the country.

“How can this position amount to advocating for Muslim/ Muslim presidential ticket?” the Commissioner asked.

He regretted that mischief- makers twisted the answer given by Uzodimma to State House Correspondents.

Emelumba noted that the exact words of Uzodimma on the choice of a Vice Presidential candidate was that it was the prerogative of the presidential candidate alone to choose, not him or the governors.

“His Excellency made it clear that there is no part of the Constitution where religion is a factor in choosing the  president or his vice.”

“What we are looking for is good governance that will unite the country and take cognizance of every tribe, every religion and every denomination,” he quickly added.

He said Uzodimma was emphatic that APC was looking for a ticket that will face the issue of governance squarely and not to talk of divisive issues.

The Commissioner enjoined those in doubt of what the governor said to obtain a clip of the recording from channels television.

He deplored a situation where the governor will be deliberately misquoted for ulterior motives.

He further noted that the governor was clear that the choice of a running mate for the APC presidential candidate was not his to make.

He wondered: “How then can the same governor at the same time be advocating which religion or tribe that should be the running mate of the presidential candidate. It  just doesn’t add up.”

The case of who becomes the APC Vice Presidential candidate became controversial due to pressures and arguments for and against it.

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