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Veteran Nollywood Actor, Clem Ohameze, Ready To Undergo Major Surgery

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Clem Ohameze

By Akinwale Kasali

Finally, Veteran Nollywood Actor, Clem Ohameze, has made up his mind to  undergo a major surgery on one of  his legs after he was involved in an accident many months ago.

Aside from the fears he had been entertaining over the surgery, for according to him, after his doctor explained the procedure to him, he perhaps also had a little problem with funds.

But on Sunday, he got a boost financially when he went to Pastor Jeremiah Fufeyin’s  Church for prayers. The Pastor gifted him the sum of Eight million Naira to help offset his medical bills. The Actor’s reaction was immediate. He broke down in tears.

This gift came days after the Nollywood icon cried out for prayers in support for his medical surgery to correct his cervical vertebrae and strengthen his limbs.

During a service at Pastor Fufeyin’s Church popularly known as “Mercy Land” the man of God not only prayed for Ohameze, but backed it up  with millions of Naira to Ohameze’s surprise.

Why Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey Resigned, Few Days After Agreeing To FG Terms To Lift Ban

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Jack Dorsey

By Akinwale Kasali

It came as a surprise to many people around the world  that Twitter Chief Executive Officer, Jack Dorsey threw in the towel.

The Twitter boss announced his resignation in a short statement on Monday 29th November 2021, 16 years of co-founding the social media platform.

“I resigned from Twitter,” he wrote.

His resignation is coming few days after the Nigerian Government disclosed that Twitter has agreed to all of its terms in a bid to have the ban imposed on the platform lifted.

Making this disclosure, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, said the Social Media outfit was ready to abide by its terms and conditions.

It would be recalled that the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government of Nigeria banned Twitter from Nigerian, alleging that the Social Media Network was instigating the people against the government.

In Dorsey’s resignation letter, he said his main reason is that the Company is in competent hands that would not let it down.

FG Counters Canada, Says No Omicron In Nigeria

By
Uche Mbah
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Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa

By Uche Mbah

Contrary to claims, mainly from foreign media that the new variant of COVID-19, called Omicron, has been detected in Nigeria,  it is yet to be detected.

The Canadian Government had disclosed it  has quarantined three people who visited Nigeria and later tested positive to Omicron, thereby placing Nigeria under watch along with South Africa and other African countries. South African Scientists claimed the virus was only isolated in their lab, and already existed in some European countries.

South Africa is currently under travel pariah status, as the world is gradually closing its doors on them after it was alleged that the virus, which is eliciting talks of possible world lockdown and heightened enforcement of vaccine mandates, particularly the booster shots, originated from there.

The Federal Ministry of Health has, however, in conjunction with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), insisted that the variant is yet to be detected in Nigeria.

In a statement issued by NCDC Director-General. Ifedayo Adetifa, the Centre said: “We are aware of reports of a new COVID-19 variant – the B.1.1.529 lineage. This SARS-CoV-2 variant has now been designated a variant of concern (VOC) and named; Omicron by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as advised by the independent Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE).

“Considering the highly likely increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant and its emergence that is linked to unmitigated community transmission of the virus, the NCDC urges Nigerians to ensure strict adherence to the proven public health and social measures in place, which are enforceable by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC-COVID-19), through the COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021″.

He advised Nigerians to observe all necessary protocols to prevent the spread of the new variant, particularly to use the current vaccination window to get vaccinated.

These include, but are not limited to wearing face masks especially in crowded settings, regular hand washing, and physical distancing, avoiding travel to countries with high COVID-19 cases or its variants, Delta and Omicron.

People should not travel unless necessary.

“If you must travel, please adhere to travel protocols instituted by the PSC-COVID-19 which are in place to prevent the risk of importation of the virus or its variants to Nigeria.”

Indonesia has slammed its doors against Nigeria and six other African countries.

FG Goes After Loan Sharks

By
Uche Mbah
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Babatunde Irukera

By Uche Mbah

The Federal Government has began to probe the activities of the money lending industry, generally known as “Loan Sharks.”

For this purpose, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says the joint regulatory and enforcement committee, has swung into action.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the joint committee is made up of representatives from the FCCPC, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and National Information Technology Development Agency.

The Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr Babatunde Irukera, told Newsmen in Abuja Monday, that all agencies involved are gathering and sharing information already.

He said that the committee received more than 500 electronic mails and information in respect of the investigation.

According to him, some already established infractions will shortly be proceeding to enforcement by either two or more of the agencies depending on the scope or what the enforcement operations will be, NAN reports.

“Yes, investigation has commenced. All agencies involved are currently exchanging information and gathering more.

“We have received approximately 500 additional emails at the created dedicated platform to gather information in furtherance of the investigation.

“Modalities include key operatives of the agencies meeting based on the joint investigative framework already developed and currently being analysed.

“Others that will continue under the investigation framework require additional information which is being procured by both direct and indirect means,” Irukera said.

According to him, the Committee would lead efforts to address multiple potentially dubious conducts of certain money lenders, otherwise known as loan sharks.

He, however, expressed regrets that the act was fast becoming a dominant and abusive practice targeting some of the most vulnerable in society.

He said: “Continuing complaints about questionable repayment enforcement practices including public shaming and violations of privacy have led to significant and understandable consumer aggravation and dissatisfaction.’

Loan sharks have become a major concern in the way they go about their businesses. This magazine can confirm that most loan sharks will blatantly refuse the loan payback, opting for perpetual payment of interests. And when there is a default, they proceed in what has been referred to as unconventional method of loan recovery resulting in public shaming and embarrassment of borrowers. Many use their influence in banks and telecom companies to block Bank accounts and beguine lines.

Nnamdi Kanu In Good Health, Care – Orji Kalu

By
The Source
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Orji Uzor Kalu and Nnamdi Kanu

By Gideon Njoku

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, is not only in good health, he is in good care.

This was revealed by the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Monday. Kalu, who was a two-time Governor of Abia State visited the IPOB leader on Saturday at the Headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS, where an Abuja Federal High Court ordered that he be kept in custody.

Kalu’s disclosure runs contrary to that of Kanu’s Counsels who, two weeks ago, said he was neither being cared for, nor in good health. They said he was in solitary confinement and had had no change of clothes since his re-arrest and detention.

However, in a photograph of him and Senator Kalu taken during the visit, Nnamdi Kanu had a change  in clothes, not the Fendi he wore during his arrest, and his  appearance in Court.

In a statement on the visit which he personally signed, Senator Kalu admitted that Mazi Kanu has what he described as an “insane” followership of people, and asked him to be mindful of the effect his actions and utterances would have on his large followership.

He said his visit to Kanu, and his discussions with him were brotherly, and that even though both of them have different ideologies, he would continue to offer him advice as a brother.

Senator Kanu said he has always been close to the Kanu family, being the person who appointed Nnamdi Kanu’s now late father a Traditional Ruler when he was Abia State Governor.

Following is the full text of Senator Kalu’s statement:

“This afternoon, I visited my brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in DSS custody, Abuja. I met him in good health and care, and we discussed as ‘Umunne’ ( brothers).

“In 2001 when I was Governor, I made his father Eze Isreal Okwu Kanu Traditional Ruler, and since then, the family has been close to me.

“I understand that Nnamdi has an insane amount of people rooting for him back home, and I encouraged him to consider the consequences of certain actions and utterances for the sake of the same people.

“Even though my ideology and his ideology are totally different, God has made us brothers and we can’t run away from each other.

“I owe him and Nigerians good counselling, whether he and his family listen to me or not, I will continue counselling him as I have always done in the past. What we need most is a peaceful and secured society.”

It is believed that Kalu’s visit to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is part of deliberate efforts to secure the release of the IPOB leader through political means instead of through legal means.

Weeks back, the South-east Caucus of the National Assembly had resolved to meet with the President and ask for a political resolution to Kanu’s trial in Court.

A couple of weeks ago, some Igbo leaders, led by 93 year old Amaechi Mbazulike, had visited President Muhammadu Buhari to appeal to him for Kanu’s release. Buhari had promised to look into their request, even though he told them it was a difficult one.

The IPOB leader is being prosecuted by the Federal Government on issues bordering on alleged treasonable felony, murder and terrorism in the Court of the Hon. Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Ayade Condoles With Maduka Over Wife’s Death

By
The Source
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Governor Ben Ayade

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has commiserated with the President of Coscharis Group, Cosmas Maduka, over the death of his wife, Charity.

In a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Christian Ita, Ayade said he received Mrs Maduka’s untimely and sudden death with a profound sense of loss and shock.

“I’m saddened and devastated by her departure not because she would have lived forever but because we never imagined she will be gone so soon.

“I’m, however, consoled that she lived a life of service to God and humanity for, in the words of Samuel Johnson, “it matters not how a man dies, but how he lives”, Ayade is quoted by the statement.

He said the late Mrs Maduka was a wonderful and rare source of wisdom, strength and wit which will be sorely missed by those who knew her.

“As a diligent, hardworking and supportive wife, there is no doubt that she was an integral part of the success story that has become the Coscharis Group.

“Losing a loved one, especially a life partner, could be emotionally excruciating. I can, therefore, imagine how crestfallen and downcast you are right now.

“However, as a soldier of Christ that you are, I urge you to accept this irreparable loss with equanimity and calmness of heart, knowing that Charity has run the good race and has gone to rest in the bosom of the Lord”

The Governor assured the Coscharis boss that “as a friend of Cross River, you are not mourning alone. As a State, we mourn and grieve with you as our thoughts and prayers are with you at this trying period.”

“On behalf of the Government and people of Cross River State, I condole with you and the kids, and the entire Maduka family.

“I pray for the peaceful repose of the beautiful soul of your dear wife”, the Governor added.

Tuition Hike: Ondo Medical University Alumni Wants Akeredolu To Revisit Reverse Action

By
Ayodele Oni
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University of Medical Sciences Ondo

By Ayodele Oni

As crisis over the increase in fees payable by students at the Ondo State University of Medical Sciences, (UNIMED), rages, former students of the institution have said hike in fees now was undesirable.

Lending their voices under the eagis of The alumni association of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, in an open letter to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, they described the decision as unacceptable to common man.

The letter titled, ‘UNIMED Closure: Our Standpoints’ was signed by the association’s president, Richard Daodu on Monday.

The association noted that the new tuition fees is unacceptable to the common man, adding that if it was high during their time in school, it would be very difficult for them to graduate.

“The UNIMED Alumni Association wishes to express its gratitude to all stakeholders for their concerns and interventions thus far over the recently-pronounced new tuition regime which resulted to protest in and around the campus.

“This, for us, is a demonstration of the love, interest, and success of UNIMED, our alma mater, which we all share as stakeholders.

“No doubt, the immediate cause of the imbroglio is new increment in fees, while the remote cause of such astronomical increase is the grossly inadequate funding of the University by its proprietor.

“Needless to note that if the fees were this high few years ago, most of us would not have been able to be alumni of this prestigious therapeutic institution of ours.

“This implies that if this new fee regime is not reviewed as it were, many of the current students may discontinue their studies. This is very sad and painful to us.

“While we understand the nation’s financial constraints which Ondo State is not left out of, the Ondo State government should still give more priority to funding UNIMED.

“The poor funding of the University by the government has put an overwhelming pressure on the management of the university in sustaining the university, thereby, necessitating the unfortunate increment in fees.

 

“We are appealing to our dear father of all in Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, to reconsider this critical decision.

“The university is made up of people from all walks of life, and it is critical to think about the bottom layer while making decisions, because a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

“When we charge for quality beyond what the average person can afford, we risk returning our society to a time when education was only available to a privileged few. We want education to continue to be the only reliable solution to our society’s problems.

“As we are hoping that our tolerable Governor will intervene as soon as possible, we are also urging the university management to start exploring other options of generating funds internally.

“Such options include but not limited to research grants, building partnerships globally, and establishing business arms to offer daily goods and services processes to members of the university community and the general public.

“We are also seeking the support of our students, alumni members, parents and guardians to co-network with the Alumni Association and the University Management such that we can get necessary contacts of philanthropists, NGOs, and well-to-do individuals and organizations that will be willing to partner with us, especially, in terms of establishing an education trust funds scheme for indigent students.

“To our students, we would like to identify with your position of no increment as your brothers and sisters who had traveled a similar path; it is only natural that students take such a viewpoint.

“We appeal to all the Medites, student bodies, and parents and guardians, to employ restraints so that this situation is solved amicably.

“UNIMED has a reputation for being a University with unbroken academic calendar, which apparently, has been broken. Let us not break further good records with bad by damaging school properties or by threatening the management.

“As partners in progress, we continue to work with the Visitor to the University and Governor of Ondo State, and the University Management to find a common ground that will be beneficial to all of us. We will all smile at the end of this situation, rest assured, please!”

Ekiti: Relief For Civil Servants Fayemi Approves Car Loan, For 166 Workers

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Some categories of Civil servants in Ekiti State will start smiling to their banks as the Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has approved the disbursement of another N115million as car loan to them.

The State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Mr Akin

Oyebode who disclosed this in Ado Ekiti, on Monday, explained that a total sum of N115 million would be disbursed to 166 workers.

Giving a breakdown of the loan disbursement, the Commissioner explained  that the sums ranging from N80,000 to N1.5million were disbursed to the beneficiaries of the loan scheme depending on their respective grade level.

According to him, benefiting officers on grade levels  two to six would get N80,000; those on grade level seven to 10 would collect N250,000 while beneficiaries on grade level 12 to 14 would take N500,000, those on 15 to 17, N750,000 and recipients on consolidated, N1.5million.

He reiterated the commitment of the Fayemi led administration to the

welfare of workers in the State, describing the Governor’s approval for the disbursement of the loan to workers as a continued fulfilment of his promise to improve the lot of workers in the State.

Mr Oyebode assured that the State government would continue to fund loan

schemes for employees of the State in spite of the prevailing paucity of funds occasioned by the general economic downturn and dwindling allocation from the federation account as well as the effect of the recent global pandemic.

The Commissioner urged the beneficiaries to judiciously utilise the money and cautioned them against spending the loan on things that would not add values to their lives.

He also charged workers to reciprocate government’s gesture by rededicating themselves to their duties and supporting the administration’s efforts to develop the State.

It was gathered that the loan is part of funds to be sourced from the recent federal government gesture to states amounting to about N118 billion, which is expected to be paid in three tranches.

The Governor had assured the workers that salary owed them by the previous administration, unpaid deductions and leave bonus will be settled before the end of the year.

Sources also disclosed that 30 percent deductions from salary of political office holders in the wake of short fall in the allocation of the state had been refunded to them.

Each of the outgoing councilors in the local government and other political office holders received N700,000 as salary refund and another N1.4 million as furniture allowance.

OPINION: The Man With A Second Eye

By
The Source
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Amanze Obi

By Amanze Obi

Sometime last week, a retired military officer with whom I usually share easy moments called me. I thought he was going to accuse me, as always, of being responsible for his occasional dalliances with Victorian blue stockings. But he did not, this time. He was focused on something more serious. I could feel the urgency in his voice. I was still struggling to adapt to his new mood when he thundered thus: “Amanze, why are your people not declaring for the presidency? What is wrong with your people? Look, nobody will give you president if you don’t push for it.”

My response came without hesitation. “Anyim has declared. Ohuabunwa has declared. Some others like Peter Obi are warming up. Moghalu is also in the picture.” But the man disagreed sharply. “Anyim has not declared.” But I insisted that he has. But my friend was not persuaded. He then said he was going to call Anyim to hear directly from him. He did not comment on the other names that I mentioned.

I knew where my officer-friend was coming from. He was merely reechoing the received impression among many Nigerians that the Igbo are going about their quest for the presidency half-heartedly. Such Nigerians are asking: why do a people want the presidency so badly, yet no one is stepping forward among them to declare for the office? It is widely believed among many Nigerians that the Igbo are agitating for the presidency in the abstract; that they are not giving flesh and blood to the quest. The question they always ask is: “ where are the aspirants? The overriding impression is that the Igbo are not matching words with action in their agitation.

But I have always argued that the Igbo are not fighting shy in this matter. The absence of a multiplicity of aspirants may well be a matter of strategy. A multiplicity of Igbo aspirants may even foul the atmosphere. It could become a tool of criticism by those who will stop at nothing to fault the Igbo approach to the presidential quest.

However, as the scenario unfolds, we have to begin our inquiry with those who have stood up to be counted. Anyim Pius Anyim, the former President of the Senate, is one such person.

Long before now, I had packaged Anyim as a man with well developed intuitive faculties. As an analyst and commentator, I observed him wade through the banana peels that the office of the President of the Senate was strewn with at the time he occupied the high office. He weathered the storm. After that uneasy ride, Anyim stepped aside. He does not play idle politics. He bids his time, waiting for an opportune time to strike. That was why he stayed at the background for two election seasons after serving as Senate President. Then, as 2011 was approaching, Anyim declared: “Count me in” He had finished with his home work. The eight-year political hibernation paid off handsomely. When he stepped forward, he was appointed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Anyim surely knows when to beat a tactical retreat and when to step out to be counted. I said that of him while welcoming the array of personalities that graced my book presentation last month. Anyim was chairman of the event. I had, while giving account of the event in BROKEN TONGUES of 18th October, 2021, said of him:

“ Anyim Pius Anyim, the wary politician who knows when to be in and when to be out of politics set the tone for what turned out to be a huge intellectual and political fiesta. Anyim does not waste words. He has a ready wit that matches his words with his actions.” That was my summation of this chary politician.

But there is much more to say about Anyim. The man is always on his guard. He is cautious, circumspect and constantly alert. He operates with a certain intuition that makes many to associate him with the sixth sense. But I refuse to sound outlandish. I am rather persuaded to feel that the man has a second eye. He has the capacity for critical examination. He sees beyond the surface. That is why I see his decision to bid for the presidency at this time as well considered.

As he usually does, Anyim must have done his homework. He must have taken a critical look at the scenario. He must have applied the second eye in his ratiocination and analysis. And after a well-rehearsed probe, Anyim is convinced that the best opportunity is here.

The thinking behind the decision of Anyim to run for the presidency cannot be divorced from the Nigerian situation. The country is embroiled in a hot controversy. Where does the presidency go to after Buhari? Individuals and interest groups have been moving forth and back in this matter. But the pull keeps gravitating towards the south east. The zone has all the arguments going for it. Power, if Nigeria still has anything to do with equity , is programmed to return to the south. We do not need to overemphasize the fact that the south east, more than any other southern zone, deserves that slot. This will happen if justice and fair play are brought into the mix. This mix is the recipe for peace and progress in the country.

As a man with a prodigious sense of justice, Anyim has been selling this idea to Nigerians. When certain hawks within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently wanted to railroad the party into zoning the presidency to the north in 2023, Anyim was one of the strong voices that pulled the party back from self destruction. The PDP is still vacillating over the matter. But it is hoped that wise counsel will prevail in the end.

The likes of Anyim stand to gain when Nigerians begin to appreciate the fact that the country stands to benefit from a president of Igbo extraction. More than any other majority ethnic group, the Igbo are broad-minded. They are more Nigerian than the rest of the flock given their cosmopolitan outlook. Since the entire Nigeria is their canvas, the Igbo man is the ultimate brush tool that will leave no space unmanned if he is given the opportunity to serve the country. The Anyims of the south east epitomize this Igbo tendency.

As a man who has always operated at the centre, Anyim has built bridges of understanding. His friends cut across zones. Significantly, those friends of his from outside his ethnic group believe in him. When Anyim tells Nigerians that he will bring diverse groups together for the good of the country, they believe him. When he tells them that he will provide the leadership that Nigeria lacks, they believe him. They believe him because he has been tested. Now, the time to repose the ultimate trust in him beckons. This man with a second eye is sifting through the rubble. He promises to find the tree for the woods.

Obi, PhD, a former Imo State Commissioner, is a Columnist with The Sun

Without Constitutional Role, Traditional Rulers, Peacemakers In Domain – Chairman, Ondo Council Of Obas

By
Ayodele Oni
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Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi

By Ayodele Oni

The Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas and Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, has observed that the labour of Nigeria’s past heroes are going into oblivion, contrary to a stanza in the national anthem.

To revive the legacies of the heroes, the monarch joined the call for a total restructuring of the nation as a way out of the current quagmire bedeviling the nation.

Oba Aladetoyinbo pointed out that “we cannot continue to hide from the truth that is already staring us in the face. We will fail in our responsibilities of protecting the labour of our heroes if we fail to speak out that all is not well with our nation.”

A release by the media Aide to the monarch, Mr Micheal Adeyeye, stated that Oba Aladetoyinbo made the remarks at the 14th Public Lecture and Presentation of Essays in honour of Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN to commemorate his 60th Birthday with the theme “The labour of our heroes past – collective efforts to keep Nigeria as one indivisible entity” held in Abuja.

According to him, “We can see the dwindling fortunes of our economy, many states are no longer economically viable owing months of salaries, allowances, pensions and gratuities. Besides, there seems to be a lot of mistrust between the government and the governed.

“It is expedient that we must as a matter of urgency build the bridges and close all the openings that are already threatening our coexistence as one indivisible entity.

“It is time for everyone to agree and come to term with this issue of restructuring that will guarantee fiscal and true federalism, devolution of powers with local government autonomy with a complete overhaul of our present constitution.

“I am sure we will surmount these seemingly unending challenges that is tearing us apart if we are truly patriotic about this restructuring.”

Oba Aladetoyinbo, who was the Royal Father of the day at the event noted that “part of the restructuring will be to give constitutional roles to the traditional rulers.

“We have seen the prospect and the gains in assigning constitutional roles to traditional rulers. As we speak, many of us are doing all we can to ensure peace in our domain, attracting investors and contributing to national development despite the fact that we do not have a constitutional role.

Guest Lecturer at the event and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah cautioned politicians not to take the people for granted urging them to live above board to ensure that the legacies and labour of the nation’s founding fathers were not destroyed.

The release added that the event, which had eminent Nigerians in attendance was chaired by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court and the Emir of Lafia, HRH, (Justice) Sidi Bage.

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