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Zenith Bank Retains Position As Nigeria’s Best Bank For Third Time In Global Finance Awards

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

Zenith Bank Plc has emerged as the Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance Magazine’s Best Banks Awards 2022, retaining the award for a third consecutive year. The Bank was among other banks from 36 countries in Africa recognised as the prestigious Global Finance announced its 29th Annual Best Bank Awards Winners.

The editors of Global Finance made the selections after extensive consultations with corporate financial executives, bankers and banking consultants, and analysts worldwide. Global Finance considered factors that ranged from the quantitative objective to the informed subjective in selecting the top banks.

Objective criteria considered included: growth in assets, profitability, geographic reach, strategic relationships, new business development and innovation in products. Subjective criteria included the opinions of equity analysts, credit rating analysts, banking consultants and others involved in the industry.

Commenting on the award, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, Ebenezer Onyeagwu said: “This award is a testament to our tenacity despite a very challenging macroeconomic environment. Indeed, being recognised, for the third consecutive year, is an acknowledgement of the resilience of the Zenith brand as the leading financial institution in Nigeria.”

He lauded the contributions and efforts of the Bank’s key stakeholders – the Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CON, for his pioneering role in building the structures and laying the foundation for an enduring and successful institution, the Board for the outstanding leadership they provide, the staff for their commitment and dedication as well as the Bank’s customers for their unwavering loyalty and support.

Global Finance’s “Best Banks Awards” are recognised amongst the world’s most influential banking/finance and corporate professionals as the most coveted and credible awards in the banking industry, with winners chosen in 150 countries and territories across Africa, AsiaPacific, the Caribbean, Central America, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America and Western Europe.

Founded in 1987, Global Finance regularly selects the top performers among banks and other financial services providers, and the awards have become a trusted standard of excellence for the global financial community. Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher and editorial director of Global Finance, said: “With the financial world in a state of turmoil from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, corporate leaders face a new set of challenges concerning the choice of their banking relationships.” According to him, “following on the enormous difficulties wrought by the pandemic, these changes demand increased attention to global commercial relationships. Our awards support decision-makers in selecting the best financial partners.”

Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performance has earned the brand numerous awards, including being voted as Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria in the World Finance Banking Awards 2021, Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards 2020 and 2021, Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020, and Best in Corporate Governance ‘Financial Services’ Africa 2020 and 2021 by the Ethical Boardroom.

Also, the Bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021, Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital in the “2021 Top 1000 World Banks” Ranking by The Banker Magazine and the Retail Bank of the year at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BOFI) Awards 2020 and 2021.

Similarly, Zenith Bank was honoured as Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020 and emerged winner in four categories at the Sustainability, Enterprise, and Responsibility (SERAS) Awards 2021, carting home the awards for “Best Company in Reporting and Transparency”, “Best Company in Infrastructure Development”, “Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment”, and the coveted “Most Responsible Organisation in Africa.

2023 Presidency: Special Islamic Prayers To Hold In Mecca For Tinubu

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bola Tinubu in Mecca Prayer

By Akinwale Kasali

Political associates of frontline President Aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will all converge at the Islamic Holy Land, Mecca, Saudi Arabia for a Special Tawaf ahead of the 2023 election.

The Special Islamic Prayer, Tawaf, is to be held on Thursday, April 28, for the APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to seek God’s intervention for the former Lagos State Governor to triumph in the 2023 election.

The Prayer is Tagged ‘Special Tawaf for Asiwaju’, The session is to commence by 12 noon and would be conducted around Kaabah at the centre of Islam’s most important mosque, the Masjid al-Haram.

Participants are to wear the ihram attire and congregate at the King Abdulaziz Gate.

The Tawaf is expected to be attended by some Islamic scholars and political leaders from Nigeria, including the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who said the event was also to thank Allah for the former Governor of Lagos ahead of the Presidential election.

According to Obasa, all those expected to partake in the Tawaf have the faith that Allah would ensure a peaceful electioneering and victory for Tinubu.

“We have come to seek the favour of Allah and His blessings for Asiwaju in the coming election. We are not testing Allah’s will and power but soliciting for His blessings, support and anointing because Allah is sufficient for us.

“We are doing this in support of Asiwaju’s Presidential ambition.

“Having consulted widely and across the country, we strongly believe that every other thing required for the success of the election and victory for Asiwaju are in the hand of Almighty Allah,” the Speaker said while urging other Muslims and well-meaning Nigerians to join the session.

2023: Governor Abiodun Dashes Tinubu’s Hope

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Dapo Abiodun and Yemi Osinbajo

By Akinwale Kasali

The hope of All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader and frontline Presidential Aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to get the support of all the South-west delegates during the APC Presidential Primary, is not likely to materialise.

He is not likely to get Ogun State. This follows the open endorsement of,  and support for the Presidential aspiration of  Vice President Yemi Osinbajo by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.

Abiodun publicly supported the Presidential ambition of the former Lagos State Attorney General, saying that Osinbajo becoming the President of the Nation will enable him continue with some of the laudable projects of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

At a stakeholders meeting in which Traditional Rulers in the State were present, Abiodun said Osinbajo, in the last seven years, has contributed to the many successes recorded by the Federal Government, noting “he is eminently qualified to lead the country”.

The  position of Governor Abiodun,  political observers say, could see him face the wrath of Tinubu for publicly pledging the support of the state APC delegates to Vice President Osinbajo.

“The Vice President, present here, is home-coming. We are pleased with his decision to run for the office of the President. He is competent and committed to lead the country in a higher capacity.

“Your steadfastness, integrity and character are all well known. You have been serving this country and the president meritoriously in the last seven years as the Vice President. We have no doubt that you will do well as the President and we will support you”, Abiodun stated.

Abiodun extolled the VP’s academic exploit, recalled how he stood behind his gubernatorial election, and described him as a man who is interested in fairness, justice, equity, and the rule of law.

In his speech, the VP said he was not in the state to campaign, but to inform his people of his intention to run for the office of the president.

He added that he had consulted widely across all sections of the society, including with President Muhammadu Buhari before he threw his hat into the ring to succeed his boss.

Recounting his contributions to the Federal Government, Osinbajo said he was actively involved in  Judiciary reforms and its repositioning to work optimally and ensure that Judges are adequately enumerated.

He said his working with President Buhari has exposed him to governance at the highest levels and placed him in a position to tackle serious issues concerning the economy, and security, among others.

“The Vice President’s position is an opportunity to serve and I have served with utmost loyalty. I put everything into my work. I am a candidate who will hit the ground running when I am elected.

“I have the requisite knowledge to do the job and build on what others have put in place. My Presidency will bring peace, unity, and development to the country”, the VP said.

“After all, I have learned if called upon to serve the nation, should I say no? I have decided that I will run for the office.  I have sworn an oath to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  It is an oath to our people,  our children, and the future of Nigeria.  I owe nobody else any allegiance outside the oath”, he added.

Osinbajo commended the Abiodun-led administration for the giant strides it has recorded in the last three years, expressing the hope that his quest to lead the country would be fruitful.

The Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, in his remarks, posited that the Vice President was competent with the required qualification to lead the nation, observing his performance as the Acting President is there for all to see.

Speaking on the ambition of the Vice President, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, attested to the competence of Osinbajo, saying: “the Vice President has paid his dues and is eminently qualified to succeed as President.

“I want to pray that you will come back to this Palace as a President and Nigeria will gain tremendously under your watch”, Alake said.

Simon Ekpa To Lockdown South-east For Three Consecutive Days In May

By
The Source
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By Charles Igbo

Trouble looms in the South-east of Nigeria in the month of May.

For three consecutive days, the Zone will be on lockdown. People will be forced to sit at home. It will be like a ghost zone, that is if the order prevails.

Beginning from May 16, 2022, to May 18 when it will end, nothing would work in the Zone. If anything, violence could reign. There could be a confrontation between State actors and non-State actors.

And, this time, it is not on the orders of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB or its Directorate of Services, DOS. It is from Simon Ekpa, who Kanu’s IPOB has denounced and declared a criminal.

Finland based, Ekpa fell out with IPOB’s DOS, and since then, he has been on a solo mission, working at counter purposes with IPOB.

For instance, IPOB has since suspended the weekly sit-at-home order which it instituted to pressurise the Federal Government into releasing Kanu who has been in its custody since June, 2021. Seeing that it has failed to achieve its aim, and that the Federal Government couldn’t be bothered, and that it amounted to only the suffering of its own people who IPOB said it is protecting, IPOB suspended the exercise.

But since then, Ekpa and his group, identified by IPOB as Autopilot, has carried on with enforcing the sit-at-home order every Monday. The violence has continued and IPOB says Ekpa and his Autopilot are responsible for it.

Now, Ekpa has given a long notice for a three-day lockdown of the Region. In a post, he said it will be historic. “Get ready for a historic lockdown of Biafraland in the month of May. It will go down in the history of Biafra liberation that we lockdown (sic) our territory for three days demanding for the release of MNK.”

The Governors in the South-east, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Elders, Clerics have all decided to put a stop to the sit-at-home order which has spilled so much blood in the Zone, crippled the economy, and brought so much hardship and suffering to the people.

So, will Ekpa have his way in May? Will he have a change of mind? Will something finally give? Time will tell.

My Presidency Will Return Nigeria To Your Glorious Era, Obi Assures Adebanjo, Others

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

The frontline Presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Mr Peter Obi on Monday in Abuja assured surviving Nigeria nationalists that his Presidency will return Nigeria to the glorious era.

Responding to the lamentation of the 94 years old Afenifere leader Ayo Adebanjo who had bemoaned the state of Nigeria compared to his era as Zikist and later Awoist in the first and second republic, Obi said that those days Nigeria was producing but now they are sharing what other nations produced.

Obi assured Adebanjo and other Nigerians of his age that his Presidency will be returning Nigeria to producing rather than sharing economy.

The former Anambra state Governor also noted that the country is in bad shape and requires person with requisite experience and knowledge to save it hence his decision to join the race.

The highlights of the conference which featured key Presidential aspirants from the South East was the crowd shouting of ‘Obi is our best’, Okwute is our choice as he was called to speak.

2023: South East Group Calls For Consensus Igbo Presidential Candidate

By
The Source
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Chief Willy Ezugwu

Pan-Igbo sociopolitical pressure organisation, the South East Revival Group (SERG), has called for consensus Igbo presidential candidate for the South East region, insisting that for Nigeria to overcome her numerous economic woes and the ongoing security challenges, the 2023 presidential candidates of all political parties in the country should be Igbos.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its President and National Coordinator, Chief Willy Ezugwu, the SERG said “we understand that the preference of certain political interest is a President of South East extraction but the Igbos are one people, no matter where they are found, including the South-South and the Middle Belt regions.

“We know that Igbos are nationalists by nature but we must also not forget that ancient Igbo slogan ‘Onye aghala nwanne ya’ (Be your brother’s keeper) which is the true Igbo spirit. It’s time for Ndigbo to unite irrespective of their current geographical location in the spirit of one brotherhood by which Igbos are known for”, the group observed.

The SERG then noted that “the heartbeat of most Nigerians ahead of 2023 presidential election is to come out of it a more united country and bring to an end the decades of marginalisation and abandonment of the South East region.

“We called on all Igbo sons and daughters to come together in each of the existing political parties to produce a concensus presidential candidate ahead of their party primaries.”

The group warned that “the cost of rejecting rotational Presidency in the country will be grave as it will end up destabilising the country owing to the imminent ethnic minority domination and the crisis it is capable of brewing in the nearest future.

“Political watchers can see that even the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that has never believed in zoning has started to implement power rotation within its political equity system.

“Therefore, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties that have adopted and clearly implemented zoning arrangements at their respective conventions but want to jettission power rotation at their presidential primaries because it is the turn of Igbos are the real haters of Nigeria’s unity.

“No country can survive in atmosphere of perceived or real injustices and palpable fear of ethnic domination.

“For us, a president of Nigeria of Igbo extraction with a vice president of North East extraction will lay a solid foundation for true inter-ethnic healing in the country.

“We are afraid that the ongoing attempts to change the goal posts in the middle of the game won’t be in the best interest of security of lives and property, national prosperity and even development of the country in the long run.

“We all can hear and must not ignore the salient voices of reason from the East, West, North and South, calling for equity and for a President of Nigeria of Igbo extraction in 2023 as panacea for a truly federal Republic of Nigeria”, the SERG stated.

Jonathan Mourns Graham-Douglas, Victims Of Imo Illegal Refinery Fire

By
The Source
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Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan

Former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has condoled with the family of Opu-Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas, the government and people of Rivers State over the passing of the former Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture who died on Monday at the age of 82 years.

Similarly, Dr. Jonathan also extended his commiserations to the government and people of Imo State, family members and loved ones of victims of the deadly illegal refinery fire in the State that claimed several lives.

The former President described the late Graham-Douglas as an elder statesman who diligently served his country and the people of Rivers state to the best of his abilities.

In a condolence letter to the Graham-Douglas family, Dr. Jonathan stated: “He was a successful entrepreneur, principled politician and democrat who made considerable contributions to the deepening of our democracy and the development of our nation.

“His records in the ministries of Aviation, Tourism and Labour and Productivity as well as Youth, Sports and Culture where he served variously as minister are eloquent testimonies of his patriotism and commitment to our national goals.

“Late Graham-Douglas was also an accomplished crusader for equity, justice and fairness and a dependable voice for the rights of the minorities, especially people of the Niger Delta.”

The former President also commiserated with Governor Hope Uzodimma and the people of Imo State over the explosion that killed scores of people at an illegal refinery site in the state.

The National Emergency Management Agency in the state on Monday confirmed that 110 bodies had been recovered from the site of the illegal refinery located in a forest in Abaezi community in the Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of the state.

In a letter of condolence to Governor Uzodimma, Dr. Jonathan expressed sadness over the deadly explosion, describing it as a monumental tragedy. “I am deeply distressed by this extremely sad event which claimed the lives of scores of our fellow citizens.

My heart goes out to the injured and the members of the families of the deceased.“The authorities concerned should take proactive measures to ensure that such avoidable tragedies do not reoccur in any part of the country.”The former President appealed to those engaged in illegal oil refining operations to stop, stressing that such unpatriotic acts pose great danger to lives, the environment and the economy.

2023: Buhari Asks Ayade To Join Presidential Race

By
The Source
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0
Buhari and Ben Ayade

By Gideon Njoku

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has joined the now ridiculous number of aspirants angling to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2003. He is coming out in the name of Buhari, and according to him, at the behest of Mr President.

After a meeting with Buhari at the State House, Abuja on Tuesday, Ayade told State House Correspondents that President Buhari has asked him to declare for the race. Ayade has, therefore, joined the race.

He, however, said his future would be subject to the final decision  his party, the APC, would make.

Asked about the rumoured and unconfirmed reports that former President Goodluck Jonathan could eventually fly the APC’s ticket, Ayade said he would obey the party and Buhari and support Jonathan, emphasising that he has a lot of respect for Jonathan.

Ayade joins the list of other South-south aspirants from both the APC and the PDP seeking to succeed Jonathan. They include: Transportation Minister, Chibuike Amaechi, Governors Nyesom Wike and Udom Emmanuel of Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.

However, of all the aspirants  from the APC, Ayade is the only one who has disclosed that President Buhari asked him to join the Presidential race.

A two-term Governor, elected under the banner of the PDP, Ayade inexplicably defected to the APC in 2020.

African “Science”: Vehicle Thief “Freezes” in Juba

By
The Source
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Car Theft in Juba

By Chidi Levi

Call it Africa’s anti-car theft technology and you will not be wrong. However, the bottom line is that witch doctors in Juba, the capital of the Republic of South Sudan, have invented black magic or juju that causes car thieves to freeze and remain rooted at a spot while attempting to steal a vehicle.

A young man recently fell victim to the “technology” while attempting to steal a Lexus Jeep in the Juba suburb.

According to Juba TV, an online news and entertainment medium, the thief got “frozen” at night in one of the most dangerous suburbs in Juba after he tried to steal the vehicle.

An eyewitness said the thief could not move an inch from where he was stopped by the unknown powers as could be seen in the pictures. He could, however, still breathe.

I’ll Set Up A New Foundation Upon Which Nigeria Will Be Built – Anyim

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The Source
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Anyim Pius Anyim

Former Senate President and frontline presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stole the show on Monday at the Greater Nigeria Conference (GNC), which held at the Executive Hall of the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

The Chairman of the Greater Nigeria Conference, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Governor of Enugu State, said the purpose of the Conference was to showcase Southeast presidential aspirants to Nigerians and appeal to the rest of the country to zone the presidency to the Southeast on the basis of equity, justice and fairness.

Emphasizing on the theme of the Greater Nigeria Conference, “Abuja 2023: Together we can,” Nwodo reminded Nigerians of the 1999 political arrangement that produced the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency even when he was not popular in the Southwest.

“Even in our own party, the Peoples Democratic Party, we chose a candidate that was not popular in his own region. The opposition party chose a candidate that was popular in that region. But together, Nigerians elected Obasanjo as their president.

“And we are asking, today that the Southeast is bleeding from marginalisation and injustice, why can’t Nigerians, people of conscience and goodwill come together to enthrone a Southeast president?

“This injustice must stop. This marginalistion must come to an end. We have to heal the wounds of the civil war. Do we have to wait for 100 years before that is done? We are appealing to our fellow country men and women. the time is now, the place is here to say that any part of our country that is bleeding, let us hold them and stop the bleeding.

“Why is it that when it comes to the Southeast, the conscience of the nation takes a flight? We have come here today to reawaken that conscience to tell our country that injustice to one is injustice to all. Today, it may be the Southeast, who knows who will be the next tomorrow?

“Let us make sure that nobody is left behind. That is the only way we can build a solid egalitarian society that will meet the needs of our people.

“In a short while we will show you the profile of the great men and women from the Southeast that are vying for Presidency. When you see their profile, you will know that we are not joking, we have men of timbre and calibre, caterpillar and bulldozer, conscience and capacity.

“Capacity is here today. Integrity is here. vision for greater Nigeria is on display here today.”

The candidates that cut across all political platforms presented a five-minute video of their profile and they were given another three minutes each to address the conference.

Senator Anyim’s video clip where he described himself as the “village boy” that overcame challenges to play not only on the national but also international stage stood out.

With testimonials by leaders such as former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan; former military Heads of State, General Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar; and immediate past and present Presidents-General of the foremost Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo and Professor George Obiozor, the capacity of Anyim, former Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF), was eloquently highlighted.

In his three-minute speech, Anyim who spoke extempore thanked the organisers of the Conference.

“If you ask me, what we needed to do after seeing the videos and after the presentations would simply be to thank the initiators of this conference. It was quite timely and I thank you immensely.

“I also thank leaders of other geopolitical zones that are here today to support us. It is quite patriotic ad courageous for them to do all they have been doing for all of us.”

Segmenting the problems confronting the country into political, economic and social, Anyim said a lot of people make the mistake of thinking that the economic aspect is the most fundamental when indeed the political problem which deals with the leadership question is the pivot on which others revolve.

Anyim said that explains why nations with strong economies run into problems and disintegrate when the political leadership is not fixed.

The former Senate President said he will provide the needed political leadership that will jumpstart the country’s development.

“In this matter, experience is important, exposure is important, knowledge is important. And I make bold to say I have the experience, exposure and knowledge to superintend over the affairs of this country,” he said at the Greater Nigeria Conference.

“I have worked in Abuja for about 33 years and all through my public service career, I have served only in the presidency. My civil service career was in the presidency. As President of the Senate, I worked with the President to run the country and as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, I was the engine room of the presidency. My experience is cognate and my exposure is nationwide.

“I usually segment the challenges before the country into political, social and economic. Most of the time people see the economic challenges as if it is the most important. I want to emphasise that the most important challenge facing our country today is political which will include leadership. You have to politically have a country before you talk about the economy. You have to have a country before you have social cohesion.

“If I have the opportunity to lead this country, you will see consensus. I will set up a new foundation upon which we will build our nation.”

His presentation was vigorously applauded by the conferees, most of who averred that his candidacy remains the most viable.

Chief Onukaogu Nwanne, a lawyer from Enugu State, said he was enthusiastic about Anyim’s aspiration.

“He is coming into this contest fully prepared. He has the most diverse knowledge of Nigeria and he is a bridge-builder. With him as president, Nigeria will heal and recover fast,” he said.

The Greater Nigeria Conference was attended by other presidential aspirants including Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, topflight pharmacist and boardroom guru; Engineer Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi State; Mr. Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State; Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, a U.S.-based medical doctor; Dr. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Productivity; Senator Rochas Okorocha, former governor of Imo State; Dr. Mrs. Ify George Offorkansi and Mrs. Caroline Nwosu.

In her welcome speech, Senator Chris Anyanwu, President Nzuko Umunna, said giving the Southeast the opportunity to produce Nigeria’s president this time around will achieve a number of things among which are: equity, commitment to progress and team play.

“If you place premium value on our bonds of relationships, if you believe that working together we can make our beloved country greater, if you believe in equity and inclusiveness, if you believe that the other sibling has a right to be treated as an equal stakeholder/partner in this enterprise, then may I invite you to join me to say Yes, Together We can make Nigeria greater,” she said.

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