Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Sunday 27th September 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 27/09/20
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E2%80%93-they-are-nigerian-politicians-fredrick-nwabufo Nigeria At 60: The Colonialists Never Left – They Are Nigerian Politicians By Fredrick Nwabufo
Fredrick Nwabufo
The British colonialists chucked the power console to the aborigines of Nigeria in 1960. Let me rephrase that. The British prowlers tossed power into the palm of native champions and ‘’non-functionally’’ exited the dais before the close of 1960. But these infiltrators did not go with the evils and vices of their craft. The perils of colonialism remained. So, long after they are gone, the colonial construction still stands sturdy.
The political layout the British handed to Nigeria was fatally flawed. It was designed to perpetuate strife and disharmony. The Nigerian anatomy was deliberately contaminated. The interlopers’ emulsion of disparate groups and their indulgence with a section of the country among others laid the pipeline for the unceasing ethnic and religious bursts.
Fredrick Nwabufo
The Nigerian nuptial is an unhappy one. We need not pretend about it. There may be no happy ending in this matrimony. The arrangement is a very inconvenient one — but that does not presuppose we gut the entity and leave its carcass. We must work at it. The disingenuity of the British has brought us together, and we have come far away from home; so we must make this house a home.
In a letter published in the Times of London in 1998, Peter Smithers, parliamentary private secretary to the minister of state and the secretary of state in the colonial office (1952-59), admitted to the British error of forcibly conscripting different ethnic groups into one crucible of colonial acquisitiveness.
The colonial officer wrote: ‘’During the negotiations for the independence of Nigeria, the view of the secretary of state at that time, with which I agreed, was that in Nigeria we should attempt to put together a large and powerful state with ample material resources, which would play a leading part in the affairs of the continent and of the world. This was attractive but it involved forcing several different ethnic and cultural groups into a single political structure.
‘’The negotiations were complex and very difficult, the chief problem as I remember relating, significantly, to the control of the police and the military. In the retrospect of 40 years, it is clear that this was a grave mistake which has cost many lives and will probably continue to do so. It would have been better to establish smaller states in a free-trade area. ‘’
Again, we cannot discount the fact that our union is an emulsive one – like water and oil – but with a disciplined leadership, which we currently lack and seem to always have a short supply of, we can make a congruent substance from this mixture.
Colonialism thrived on a bipod – impunity and corruption. The colonialists made and enforced laws to protect themselves from the natives. Dissent against the colonial administration and the ‘’Queendom’’ was crushed, citizens garrisoned and protests quashed. The system was corrupt. The British expropriated the resources of Nigeria and left little or nothing for the country in terms revenue. Communities which resisted the trespassers were vanquished and had their wealth plundered. The empire subsisted on the toil and well-being of Nigerians.
But 60 years after the Union Jack was lowered, what has changed? The criminal defamation law which the British used to hound the press and suppress free speech is still much potent in our body of canons today. Agents of the current government and some governors have exploited this colonial relic to clamp down on varying voices.
Omoyele Sowore, activist and convener of RevolutionNow movement, was incarcerated and charged with criminal defamation and terrorism for calling for a mass action against a bumbling government. Two journalists — the editor of Big Pen Nigeria, Joe Ogbodu, and a reporter for the National Mirror newspaper, Prince Amour Udemude – were detained and charged with criminal defamation in October 2019 in Delta. Kufre Carter, another journalist, was charged under the colonial gag law in May 2020 by the Akwa Ibom state government.
Currently, there are two bills – hate speech and anti-social media legislation — at the national assembly seeking to regiment citizens and garrison public opinion. People who should naturally be the voice of citizens are pursuing laws to shield themselves from public criticism and scrutiny while federal and state governments are worsening the yoke of their citizens without commensurate performance in governance.
The British looted Nigeria to fatten their country, but Nigerian politicians are looting Nigeria to satiate their greed. The British colonialists did it for country; Nigerian politicians are doing it for their bellies and those of their cronies, family and hangers-on. While the action of the British usurpers can be argued to be patriotism — love for their country – that of Nigerian politicians is treason — because there is absolutely no justification for robbing your own people.
Impunity and corruption, which reigned under British colonialism, are ensconced solidly in Nigeria’s cosmology today, and are even considered as start-up packages for elitism under Nigeria’s ‘’elite colonialism’’.
So, what is the difference between the British colonialists and our ‘’elite colonialists’’. I think our own colonialists are a much dangerous breed. They are destroying their own country out of avarice, and smuggling the loot back into the country of our ex-overlords. Crazy!
Well, it is 60 years since our independence from the British, and for most Nigerians; it has been 60 years under elite colonial rule. We need independence.
Fredrick Nwabufo is a writer and journalist
Twitter:@FredrickNwabufo
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Three Persons Killed As Truck Plunges Into River In Lagos
Three men were on Saturday confirmed dead after a tipper plunged into the Epe River in Lagos.
The tipper said to be laden with sand, fell off the Berger Bridge into the River late on Friday, drowning unspecified number of occupants.
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The Director-General of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday.
He said the agency received information of the accident on Friday night.
“The six-tyre truck has been located and retrieved along with the bodies of three adult males.
“A combined team of agency responders, Marine Rescue Unit (LASWA & LASEMA) Nigeria Police and local divers have been carrying out search and rescue operations,” he said.
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Delta Residents Call For Arrest, Prosecution Of Ex-Education Minister, Gbagi, Over Dehumanisation Of Hotel Staff
As the protest against the dehumanisation of Signatious Hotel staff by its owner and ex-Minister of State for Education, Kenneth Gbagi, enters day two, Delta residents have called for his immediate arrest and prosecution.
The protest coordinated by a human rights activist, Israel Joe, kicked off on Friday in Warri and Asaba in Delta State.
The former minister has been described as a serial violator of human rights especially of females working for him.
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Ex-Nigerian Minister Arrests Hotel Staff, Strip Them Naked For Allegedly Stealing N5,000
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The protesters while condemning the dehumanisation of the hotel staff by the ex-minister, stated that they will never allow such happen again as they will ensure he was punished this time.
In Warri, the protest took place across major streets with residents pouring out to condemn the humiliation of the hotel staff.
In Asaba, the protester marched to the state’s House of Assembly, Government House, Ministry of Women Affairs and police headquarters where they were received by the state Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Inuwa.
He said the command had commenced investigation into the matter and appealed for calm.
Civil society groups in the state have demanded the closure of the hotel belonging to Gbagi pending when investigation into the matter was concluded.
Video of “I Am Ready To Testify”—Obire, Another Hotel Staff Brutally Tortured By Notorious Ex-Minister, Gbagi
“I Am Ready To Testify”—Obire, Another Hotel Staff Brutally Tortured By Notorious Ex-Minister, Gbagi
WATCH VIDEO: “I Am Ready To Testify” —Obire, Another Hotel Staff Brutally Tortured By Notorious Former Minister, Gbagi
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PHOTONEWS: President Buhari In Abuse Of Office Scandal, Deployed Presidential Jet For Aide, Bashir Ahmad’s Wedding In Katsina
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Abuse Of Office Scandal: Buhari Deployed Presidential Jet For Lavish Private Extravagant Wedding Of Malami’s Son, Dashed Out COVID-19 Presidential Task Force Pass
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Adamawa NLC To Join Nationwide Demonstration Against Petrol Price, Electricity Tariff Hikes On Monday
The Adamawa State chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress has directed its members to join the nationwide strike action to protest against the hike in the prices of petrol and electricity tariff in Nigeria by government.
Chairman of the state chapter of the labour union, Emmanuel Fashe, told journalists in Yola, the state capital, on Friday that members of the movement had been mobilised to join the protest as planned.
He said, “There is no gainsaying that ordinary Nigerians have been put into jeopardy. Their livelihood is under threat as a result of the twin problem that have bedeviled the masses of Nigeria generally and workers in particular.
“Only recently, Federal Government decided to hike the tariff of electricity in Nigeria and withdraw subsidy or what they called complete deregulation.
“The thinking of the labour or the ordinary man in Nigeria is that the Federal Government is trying to deplete earnings and purchasing power because by the twin increases it has depleted the purchasing power of the masses.
“It is on this premise that CWC met on October 16 and ratified the decision of NEC to go into industrial action since the Federal Government had refused to reverse the price of petroleum products and tariff hike.
“By Monday September 28, workers will have no option than to down tools and also to embark on mass protests.”
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Oyo Labour Unions Direct Workers To Join Nationwide Strike
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Four Reasons Why Nigerian Americans Must Get Involved In The 2020 US Presidential Elections By Dr Malcolm Fabiyi
Dr Malcolm Fabiyi
A Nigerian American protester at the March on Washington on August 28th
Members of the Nigerian American community at the March on Washington on August 28th 2020.
The Nigerian presence in America goes back to the earliest periods in American history. Recent genetic studies have confirmed that Nigerian heritage is extensive in the gene pool of African Americans whose ancestors were brought during the Transatlantic slave trade in the 1700s and 1800s. Over the last hundred years, the Nigerian presence in America has been driven by two immigration waves – the first was a quest for educational attainment which brought Nigerians like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria’s first President, to study in the early to mid-1900s, and a later massive upsurge of migration driven by Nigeria’s economic and democratic decline that started during the dark days of military rule in the early 1980s.
There are hundreds of thousands of Nigerians who now call America home. According to official records, over 300,000 Nigerians are naturalized US citizens. The Nigerian presence in the United States is obviously much larger, with additional numbers comprising mainly of those with permanent residency and thousands more on student visas.
A TRACK RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT
Nigerian immigrants have done reasonably well as a community. Nigerian Americans are one of the most educationally accomplished ethnic communities in the USA. 4% of Nigerians hold PhDs compared to 1% in the average US population, 17% hold Master’s degrees and about 37% have a Bachelor’s degree. According to the Migration Policy Institute 59% of people with Nigerian ancestry age 25 and over, had a bachelor’s degree or higher – twice the US average of 28.5%. Fareed Zakaria’s Feb 17th 2020 GPS program on CNN brought the immense contributions and achievements of Nigerian Immigrants in Americas to the attention of the world. Nigerians in America contribute over 25% of the $25 billion in diaspora remittances to Nigeria. While our educational attainment levels are high, our political voice in America is muted. Our political influence in America is tiny, and as a community, we are punching far below our abilities. And for all the talk about leading the US in the number of PhDs and other advanced degrees, our community’s economic outcomes are only slightly above average – $52,000 vs $50,000 for all US Households. As the recent immigration ban crisis demonstrated, educational attainment or not, a community that is not at the table to advocate for its rights, will find itself on the menu.
Dr Malcolm Fabiyi
WHY WE MUST ENGAGE POLITICALLY IN AMERICA
AMERICA IS A SECOND HOME Home is where the heart is. It is where your bread is buttered, where your children are raised, where your core is centered. Home is all these things and more. For far too long, Nigerian Americans have ignored their civic responsibilities here in the United States. We are more likely to be participating in elections in Abuja, Lagos, Enugu and Katsina – where we make periodic annual appearances, rather than the boroughs of New York, or the Counties of Maryland and Texas, where we live, earn our wages and pay our taxes. We are more likely to stay up all night to find out what the results are in an election 6,000 miles away in Edo State, while ignoring the school board, municipal, judicial, or legislative elections taking place 5 blocks from where we live. The fact is, that for many first-generation Nigerians in America, many of whom have now lived in the US, almost as long as they lived in Nigeria, this is home. For our second-generation children who have known no other nation but America, this is home. We need to start thinking and acting the way people do, when they are at home. Acknowledging that the US is home does not mean that we are rejecting the reality that Nigeria is our homeland. We must embrace the duality of home – one that allows us to be both Nigerian and American, at the same time.
PARTICIPATING POLITICALLY IN AMERICA CAN ENHANCE NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY AND STRENGTHEN THE RULE OF LAW A week ago, the PDP candidate won the Edo gubernatorial elections. Why didn’t the APC government that controls INEC and the security forces not force themselves on the people in Edo State and rig the elections, as they have done in countless other races and elections? It was the US (and UK) Visa ban on riggers that tilted the scale and prevented the APC from rigging that election. According to Nyesom Wike, the PDP Governor of Rivers State, “threatening to place a visa ban on anyone found guilty of rigging in the Edo elections, forced people to act appropriately. ” Wike should know. He is himself well versed in election rigging. External pressure is the only thing that works on Nigerian politicians. We have seen this movie before – literally. In March 2015, President Obama delivered a video to the Nigerian people about the upcoming elections. That video scared the ruling PDP party, forcing a largely free and fair election to be conducted. The result was the first ever loss by an incumbent president in Nigeria’s history. Nigeria’s sons and daughters in the US can continue to leverage the strong influence that this nation wields to force good conduct among Nigeria’s political class. While Nigeria’s politicians might not fear the Nigerian people, or respect the rule of law, they understand what it means to have their visas revoked, their corruption investigated by the FBI, their bank accounts frozen, and their misdeeds tried in jurisdictions where they cannot bribe judges or subvert justice. We can make this happen in every single election that takes place in Nigeria from here on out, by ensuring that we stay engaged in America’s politics and helping US agencies shine the light of probity into the darkest recesses of Nigeria’s political system.
WE MUST DO IT FOR OUR CHILDREN While the world remembers George Floyd and his brutal killing, few people know the names of Emmanuel Okutuga, Mathew Ajibade, or Chinedu Okobi – young Nigerians who died tragically at the hands of the police. Racism affects all people of color, whether they are originally from Lagos or Los Angeles, Philadelphia or Potiskum, Enugu or Elkridge, Warri or Washington DC. Thankfully, second generation Nigerians are starting to speak up and stand out in the cause for racial justice. One of the founders of the BLM movement is a Nigerian American. As part of the American family, we must get involved in efforts to ensure racial justice and equity for all persons. The badge of educational attainment we so proudly wear and the opportunities available to us in the American economy was made possible by battles fought during the civil rights struggle by our African American brethren. We cannot leave the battle for racial justice to them alone. We must march with them, we must organize alongside them. Our voice must be loud and clear. That fight is not for them alone, but for us and our children – not as an act of charity, but as an obligation and a duty. Thankfully, that journey has started. In the Delaware-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) triangle, Nigerian Americans were active participants in the August 28th March for Racial Justice in Washington DC that commemorated the 57th Anniversary of Martin Luther King Jnr’s “I have a Dream” Speech and all around the US, Nigerian American voices are becoming louder and more strident.
A Nigerian American protester at the March on Washington on August 28th
Members of the Nigerian American community at the March on Washington on August 28th 2020.
BECAUSE WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN DETERMINING AMERICA’S FUTURE DIRECTION America is at a crossroads, and the Nigerian American community can make an immense difference in determining America’s future direction. Historically, our community has not participated actively in American elections. Our engagement this time around can make a major difference. In 2016, the Presidential election was decided by about 80,000 votes in a handful of swing states. Nigerian Americans tend to live in large numbers in the swing states, so we have an opportunity to make an outsized impact on the outcome of the November 2020 elections, if we get engaged. This year, States like Texas, which is home to the largest contingent of Nigerians in the US, are in play.
TAKE ACTION
We are just 40 days to the elections. Please sign up to be a part of this historical effort and participate in this survey to establish the priorities of Nigerians and Nigerian Americans, with regards to US policy as it affects the Nigerian American community. nbsp;
Dr Malcolm Fabiyi is based in Maryland, USA and leads the Government Advancement Initiative for Nigeria (GAIN) . He is a co-organizer of the Nigerian American Community Movement, that is comprised of members drawn from Nigerian American community groups, professional associations, political organizations and religious bodies dedicated to enhancing the interest of Nigerians in America.
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E2%80%94ipob-tells-nigerian-government We’re Tired Of Bondage, Want A Referendum —IPOB Tells Nigerian Government
The Indigenous People of Biafra has said it wants a referendum to determine if its members still want to be a part of Nigeria while denying allegations that it attacked security operatives in the South-East and South-South regions.
IPOB is leading a movement of people largely of Igbo descent seeking to split from Nigeria over years of marginalisation, oppression and rights violations.
Emma Powerful, the group’s spokesperson, in a statement said the allegations that IPOB members carry arms and is attacking security agents was a lie merely targeted at giving the Department of State Services an excuse to go after its members.
The statement reads, “We are not armed and have no plans to pick up arms. But should we decide to go into arms struggle which is not an option on the table, it will not be a secret affair. We won’t depend on arms collected from any security agent to defend Biafra. That is childish and an insult to IPOB.
“Their latest lie is the allegation that IPOB is responsible for the purported attacks on security operatives in South-East and South-South. We find it amusing how these unscrupulous elements without any contact address would think they can come to limelight via untenable allegations against a globally recognized peaceful group like IPOB.
“We knew when and how the DSS recruited them to launch a verbal attack against IPOB and its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. But we want to inform them that IPOB is properly rooted and cannot be moved by false allegation and propaganda.
“These irritants have sustained their unwarranted attacks on IPOB through fabricated and blatant lies, and cheap propaganda to impress their paymasters, the DSS.
“Assuming but not conceding to this blatant falsehood: How can an unarmed man attack a fully armed security agent and escape unhurt? Doesn’t it sound funny? What a shameful allegation! We know their aim: to discredit IPOB before the international community which is now interested in the matters we have raised concerning the atrocities perpetrated in Nigeria.
“Ordinarily we wouldn’t have bothered to dignify these detractors with a response as we have since known their stock in trade, but for the sake of the gullible ones and some innocent minds. There is no iota of truth in this fictitious claim. IPOB is not responsible for any attack against any security agent.
“Unfortunately for them, the era of propaganda and cheap blackmail is gone. Frivolous and concocted allegations designed by DSS and the government of Nigeria to blackmail IPOB can no longer stand. The world now knows better. IPOB’s non-violent ideology about the Biafra project is well known and cannot change. But the inalienable right of the oppressed to defend himself against the oppressor is not illegitimate.
“We are not armed and have no plans to pick up arms. But should we decide to go into arms struggle which is not an option on the table, it will not be a secret affair. We won’t depend on arms collected from any security agent to defend Biafra. That is childish and an insult to IPOB.
“All we need is Biafra, our own country which has been in existence before Britain created Nigeria and unequally lumped us together with these murderous Fulani that value cows above human lives. Marriage isn’t by force. We are tired of this bondage and want a referendum to determine our fate. Simple!
“We are monitoring and taking records of every single attack on our people and how Nigeria government and her security agencies abduct IPOB members and use chemicals and acid to murder many of our people in their custody to conceal evidence while those inconsequential and unreasonable groups claim to be Igbo group won’t see the barbaric massacre of our people.
Nigeria Government and her security operatives, as well as Biafra traitors and saboteurs in Biafraland and elsewhere, must understand that IPOB cannot be decimated contrary to their erroneous calculations, and wishful thinking.”
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We’ll Get Yoruba Nation Without Violence –Prof Akintoye
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Cross River Governor, Ayade, Appoints Nine Special Assistants On Religious Matters
Ben Ayade, governor of Cross River, has appointed nine new special assistants on religious matters.
Nigeria is largely divided along religious and ethnic lines.
Ayade has so far appointed more than 1,000 aides in 2020.
Christian Ita, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, confirming the appointment on Saturday said, “Yes, the appointment of the men of God as special assistant on religious matters is true.
“The governor had said repeatedly that he only needs about five per cent of his appointees. So, he deliberately creates these jobs to put food on the table so as to reduce social tension.”
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Each of the special assistants represents the 18 local government areas in the state, and were drawn from the three senatorial districts, the Cable reports.
“The governor had said repeatedly that he only needs about five percent of his appointees So, he deliberately creates these jobs to put food on the table so as to reduce social tension.”
Each of the special assistants represents the 18 local government areas in the state, and were drawn from the three senatorial districts, The Cable reports.
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Nigerian Government Warns Civil Servants Not To Join Nationwide Strike
Muhammadu Buhari
The Nigerian Government has warned civil servants not to join the planned strike by labour unions across the country.
Folasade Yemi-Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, gave the warning on Friday in Abuja.
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Yemi-Esan said government was engaging with the union officials over the planned industrial action.
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BREAKING: Nigerian Government Obtains Fresh Order To Stop NLC, TUC’s Planned Strike
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She said, “Sequel to the call by the labour unions for workers to embark on industrial action from Monday, 28th September, 2020, the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, wishes to inform all public servants that the Federal Government team is currently engaging with the labour unions with a view to resolving all contentious issues and avert the planned industrial action.
“Furthermore, it is important to note that there is a court injunction granted by the National Industrial Court (Suit No. NICN/ABJ/253/2020) on 24th September, 2020, restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria from embarking on any form of industrial action pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice.
“Accordingly, all officers on grade level 12 and above and those on essential services are hereby strongly advised to be at work to perform their official duties.”
The Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and its affiliate unions had enjoined workers to embark on an indefinite strike from Monday pending when the Nigerian Government reverses the hike in the prices of petrol and electricity tariff.
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NLC Vows To Proceed With Planned Strike Action Over Petrol, Electricity Tariff Hike
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E2%80%99s-airspace-be-shut-aviation-unions-vow-join-planned-strike-action Nigeria’s Airspace To Be Shut As Aviation Unions Vow To Join Planned Strike Action
Aviation unions in Nigeria have directed all workers within the sector to withdraw their services from the country’s airports from September 28 to in solidarity with planned nationwide strike action to protest harsh anti-people economic policies and bad governance under President Muhammadu Buhari.
The groups are the National Union of Air Transport Employees, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals.
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NLC Vows To Proceed With Planned Strike Action Over Petrol, Electricity Tariff Hike
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A statement by the joint unions reads, “As you are aware, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria have declared indefinite nationwide strike action with effect from Monday, September 28, 2020.
“Our unions as above named are in full support of the strike action.
“As such all workers in the aviation sector are hereby directed to withdraw their services at all aerodromes nationwide as from 00hrs of 28th September 2020 until otherwise communicated by the NLC/TUC or our unions.
“All workers shall comply.”
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