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Some Nigerians Are Mocking Change Agenda, But We Are Focused, Lai Mohammed Says

Lai Mohammed 2

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has admitted that many Nigerians are mocking the change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration but that the government is well focused towards actualizing the change Nigerians voted for in 20165.

“Many have said they are yet to see the change we promised. Many more have called the promise a ruse. In fact, they are now mocking us. But we remain undaunted because we know that the change we promised is real.

Lai Mohammed who spoke at a town hall meeting for the South East, organized by the Federal Ministry of Information in Enugu on Monday, said the change said that contrary to the insinuations in certain quarters that the people are not feeling the impact of the government, a lot have been done in moving the country forward.
“In fact, the change we promised is already here and it is manifesting all around us.”
The minister said that the government has successfully stopped the looting of public funds, which was responsible for underdevelopment.
“Before now, public officials simply opened the public till, took as much money as they wanted and walked away without consequences.
“That explains why funds allocated to the military to fight Boko Haram ended up in the piggy banks of many unscrupulous Nigerians
“Today, all those who looted the public treasury are being made to answer for their actions, as impunity gives way to accountability.
“Many have offered to return their loots and many more are facing charges.”
The minister said that with the introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), funds meant for the Federal Government were directly paid in and used for development of infrastructure.
He noted that before now, funds accruing to the government were paid into so many accounts and went to private purses.
Lai Mohammed said that the government has successfully identified and stopped salaries hitherto paid to more than 30,000 ghost workers, adding: “we promised to diversify the economy away from oil to ensure that other sectors are able to significantly contribute to sustainable development.
“In June 2016, for the very first time, about 70 per cent of the more than N500 billion raised from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee came from the non-oil sector, while 30 per cent came from the oil sector.
“It was the first time in 2016 that the Federal Government shared more than N500 billion among the three tiers of government.”
In the area of security, Lai Mohammed said that the government has successfully crushed the Boko Haram terrorists and that not a single territory is being administered by them.
On infrastructure, the minister said that construction firms have been mobilized to sites on major roads in the country.
“As they move to site, they are creating thousands of new jobs. No part of the country is left out of this. Where the contractors have not been seen on site, it is because of the rains, not because of lack of mobilisation.”
The minister said that the complaints over perceived or real instances of lopsidedness in appointments are being addressed.
“There are hundreds of appointments yet to be made. It is an evolving scenario and any lopsidedness is being addressed as we progress.”
Lai Mohammed said that the town hall meetings are being held to bridge the communication gap between the government and the people and to carry the people along in the process of governance. [myad]

4 Chief Executives Of Parastatals In Education Ministry Survive Buhari’s Purge

Adamu Adamu education

Only four out of 21 chief executive officers of the parastatals and agencies under the federal ministry of education have survived the general purge which President Muhammadu Buhari made late Monday.

A statement by the Federal Ministry of education said that the President ordered the sack of 17 chief executives officers and approved those who would immediately take over their positions, with effect from Monday, august 01, 2016

Those who survived the purge are Professor Samaila Junaidu of the Nigeria Educational Research & Development Council; Professor Rauuf Adebisi of the Nigerian French Language Village; Dr. Mas’ud Kazaure of the National board for technical education and Professor Muhammad Mu’azu of the National Arabic language Village.

The 17 agencies with their new chief executives officers are as follows:

National Universities Commission (NUC) – Professor Abubakar adamu Rasheed

Nigerian Institute for education Planning and Administration – Professor Mrs. Lilian Salami

Universal Basic Education   – Dr. Hameed Bobboyi

National library of Nigeria – Professor Lanre Aina

National Examinations Council – Professor Charles Uwakwe

National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal education – Professor Abba Aladu

Nomadic education Commission – Professor Bashir Usman

National Business and technical Examinations Board – Professor Isioma Isiugo-Abanihe

Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria – Professor Sunday Josiah Ajiboye

Computer Registration Council of Nigeria – Afolabi aderinto

National Commission for Colleges of Education – Professor Bappah Aliyu

Tertiary Education Trust Fund – Dr. Abdullahi Bichi Baffa

National Teachers Institute –  Professor Garba Dahuwa Azare

Libarian Registration Council of Nigeria – Professor Michael Afolabi

National Mathematical Centre – Professor Steven Ejugwu Onah

Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB – Professor Ishaq Oloyede

National Institute of Nigerian Languages – Professor Chinyere Ohiri-Aniche. [myad]

You Will Be Safe, Hajj Commission Assures 2016 Intending Pilgrims To Saudi Arabi

Abdullahi Mukhtar

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has assured the intending pilgrims of the safety of their lives and properties at the 2016 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Mohammed, told newsmen in Abuja that the commission had taken proactive measures to ensure the safety of all the intending pilgrims.
Mukhtar said that the Saudi Authorities had assured the commission that there would be no re-occurrence of the incidents that led to the death of pilgrims in 2015.
NAN reports that no fewer than six Nigeria pilgrims lost their lives in the tragic crane incident that occurred at the Grand Mosque in Ka’abah, Mecca, Saudi Arabia on September 11, 2015.
Similarly, 274 Nigerian pilgrims died during a stampede in Muna, the venue of the symbolic stoning of the devil.
The NAHCON boss said the commission had embarked on awareness campaign to sensitize intending pilgrims on how to ensure hitch free and successful hajj.
He solicited the assistance of the National Orientation Agency in sensitizing pilgrims across the country, saying that only well-informed pilgrims could perform acceptable hajj.
Mukhtar requested the participation of NOA in the Hajj Implementation and Compliance Committee, whose mandate is to ensure adherence to all contractual agreements during the hajj. [myad]

Presidency Accuses London Telegraph Of Promoting Dangerous Boko Haram Religious Concept

Garba-Shehu

The Nigerian Presidency has accused the London Telegraph of helping Boko Haram insurgents to promote the dangerous religious concept under which they have waged relentless war against the constituted authorities.
The Presidency, in a statement, referred particularly to the the an article in the paper, titled: “Children Face Death by Starvation in Northern Nigeria” of July 30th July, 2016) which repeated a claim from an earlier piece titled: “Nigeria Using UK Aid to Persecute President’s Political Foes” of 12th April, 2016) – that Nigeria is diverting UK aid monies away from defeating the Islamist terror group Boko Haram towards those the newspaper identifies as political opponents of the Administration and said: “this is as incorrect as it is unhelpful.”
The statement which was issued by the senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the suggestion by the newspaper that Buhari government is deepening Muslim-Christian division is not only untrue, “but plays into the hands of Boko Haram who wish to divide Nigerians along religious lines. Fighting this group is key priority of President Buhari’s Administration. Indeed the international community has widely acknowledged his determination to defeat terrorism in Nigeria and the entire Lake Chad Basin.”
The Presidency took exception to the claim by the Telegraph articles that the Buhari Administration is targeting Christians and the opposition, saying: “these are without foundation.
“Since assuming office, President Buhari has treated all Nigerians without bias for ethnicity or religion – as the composition of his cabinet and the policies and programmes of his Administration demonstrate.”
It made it clear that the government of the United Kingdom had not been giving development aid to the Nigerian administration for use in military operations against Boko Haram as the paper claimed. “Where British military support – such as intelligence – is provided, it is precisely and only, given for operations directly against Boko Haram. Similarly, the Nigerian Government is in no position to divert aid monies used for emergency relief for refugees or IDP camps for any other purpose, as these are dispensed directly by DFID, USAID, the United Nations, the International Red Cross, Doctors without Borders and many other organizations – with which we enjoy excellent relations.
“The humanitarian situation in these camps is real. The Administration remains deeply concerned about the medical, health and nutrition challenges and we are doing everything with the limited resources we have at our disposal to improve the situation. However, the blame for the plight of refugees lies with Boko Haram. They are its cause, not the Nigerian Government.
“In the light of ongoing efforts, we regret the recent attack on the UN humanitarian convoy in the Northeastern region and are encouraged by the world body’s determination to continue rendering assistance to the displaced victims. That the attack was repelled by Nigerian troops escorting the convoy shows precisely how the Government and humanitarian agencies are working together.”
The Presidency said that there is nothing to gain by the Telegraph attempting to mould public opinion against the facts on the ground, even as it invited The Telegraph to visit Nigeria, “to witness first hand not only the challenges we face, but the Administration’s determination to confront them.” [myad]

Gov. Samuel Ortom And Security Debacle, By Joseph Orjime

Benue State Governor,
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom

The perennial clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farming communities have persisted in Benue state, and some parts of the country.
But it has assumed a new dimension with the recent sacking of communities, large scale killings, and wanton destruction of properties and invasion of farmlands. Particularly worrisome is the fact that many farmers in Benue state (the food basket of the nation), can no longer carry out their usual farming activities due to hostilities visited on them by these marauding herdsmen. They have not only embarked on a killing spree, but also the maiming and raping of women in these communities.
On the 10th of February this year, several villages in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue state were razed and hundreds, including women, children, and the elderly were reportedly massacred by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Former Senate president David Mark who represents the area in the senate, had described the massive killings as genocide. Bitter criticism trailed this high scale massacre with calls from several quarters to end the crisis.
Till date, no word has been heard from the president and commander in chief of the Armed forces, Muhammadu Buhari, either condemning or promising action on the matter. Governor Samuel Ortom himself, being the chief security officer of the state, took so long to visit the affected area, or even comment on the Incident. Thousands of displaced Agatu people currently reside in IDP camps in their home state.
The same trend of killings have continued unabated, in the previous months, in several villages in Logo, Ukum and Kwande Local Government Areas of Benue state, coupled with the destruction of farmlands, razing of houses and displacement of locals, by suspected Fulani herdsmen and their mercenaries.
The rate at which this crime of killing the defenceless local farmers is perpetrated is so alarming that the situation can only be described as a mission for extinction and replacement. The predominantly farming people of Benue have come to believe that there is a deliberate push by the marauding herdsmen and their sponsors, to forcefully take over their ancestral lands for grazing  purposes.
When recently, the social media went viral with the number of casualties of a recent attack put at 81,the governor of Benue state, Dr. Samuel Ortom hurried to the office of the minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau, and later to the media, where he copiously denied the claim, asserting that it was an overblown figure. The Benue state police command had also earlier denied the casualty figure of 81, putting it rather at 23.
What is most disturbing in the scenario however, is not the purported exaggeration of the victims. Whether it was 23 people or even 3 that were killed in the state, they were Nigerian citizens, who are supposed to be protected by the law, that were hacked to death, with no arrest made whatsoever.
It is laughable for a state governor who took oath to protect the lives of his people, to treat the security of the same people with such a slight. It should be seen as a total failure of leadership for a chief security officer of a state to watch helplessly while the people, who took pains to vote him into power, are being slaughtered on a regular basis.
Earlier this year, when the same murderous herdsmen invaded Ukpabi Nimbo in Uzo – Uwani LGA of Enugu state, the governor, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, alongside other relevant stakeholders spoke up vehemently against the carnage. This step compelled President Buhari, for the very first time, to direct the security agencies to ‘go after’ the herdsmen, even if it was in pretense. Several outcries regarding security negligence and alleged police complicity eventually led to the redeployment of the commissioner of police, Mr. Nwodibo Ekechukwu.
Since then, the monster has not reared its ugly head again.

The questions a well-meaning Nigerian would want answered are: what moves has the Benue state police boss made to stem the tide of the herdsmen onslaught?  What efforts have the legislators representing the people of Logo, Ukum and Kwande Federal and state constituencies made to stop the killings? What is the governor Dr Samuel Ortom doing to secure the lives and properties of the defenceless Benue farmers whose farmlands are ravaged by the activities of herdsmen, and who can’t go to the farm any more for fear of being killed? Whether he will continue to fold his arms and watch aloof while his people are being massacred daily in their scores still remains one question begging for answer.

__Joseph Orjime writes from Abuja Nigeria[myad]

Nigerian Govt Deploys Medical Teams To IDPs In Boko Haram Devastated Northeast

IDP CampsNigerian Government has deployed medical teams from the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigerian Airforce to assist in support mission for nutrition emergency response to those in the Internally Displaced Persons’ Camps in the Northeast that has been devastated by Boko Haram insurgents
This is even as the government of Borno state is said to have converted an Islamiya School in Bama to a hospital which will be equipped by the Nigeria Airforce to achieve quick comprehensive treatment of victims.
A statement by the senior special assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, in consolidating Federal Government’s intervention in the North East, ordered the establishment of the Presidential Committee on North East Interventions (PCNI).
“The Committee chaired by General Theophilus Danjuma is responsible for rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery of the North East.
“Equally, Government has also constituted an Inter-ministerial Technical Working Group to facilitate an effective humanitarian assistance. The Group is to expedite waivers and technical assistance by donors providing humanitarian aid in North East.
“Members of the Group include the Office of the Vice President, Office of the National Security Adviser, NEMA, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Budget & National Planning, Finance, Nigeria Customs and Immigration.”
The statement said that through various bodies, government has continued to assess the need and develop effective ways of addressing them with the active collaboration of local, national and international agencies, including the United Nations system.
“The Buhari presidency will neither relent nor leave any stone unturned in ensuring that our people in the North East are provided with the assistance, help and support needed to address the different fallouts and impact of the insurgency that has ravaged the region for years.”
The statement announced that so far, over 23, 000 bags of assorted food items and 2,155 bags of shelter supplies have been provided by different Federal Government agencies to (IDPs) as part of on-going initiatives at ameliorating the plight of IDPs in areas ravaged by insurgency.
It said that under the coordinated Federal intervention programme, both the Presidential Initiative on North East (PINE) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), are leading the humanitarian aid with the distribution of 10, 300 bags of assorted grains and cereals towards the feeding of over 2 million persons scattered across the region
In the monthly Federal Intervention Report that shows the level of supplies in the month of July and compiled by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the North East, Dr. Mariam Masha, PINE supplied over 10,300 bags of food items such as rice, millet, maize, guinea corn, salt, vegetable oil, beans, and noodles to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe and Bauchi States. NEMA also supplied Borno State with 13,200 bags of food items.
The report indicated that PINE through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation distributed 2,155 assorted shelter materials in nine (9) different Local Government Areas of Borno State which includes Bama, Damboa, Bakacy, Dikwa, Monguno, Mafa, Jere, Banki and Gwoza.
The Federal Government, according to the report, responded swiftly to the reported case of malnutrition in Bama camp, as severely malnourished children and adults have been moved from Bama to Maiduguri for comprehensive medical treatment.  [myad]

Maritime Agency Plans Shutting Down Sub-Standard Training Institutions

Maritime schoolDirector General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has announced the possibility of closing down sub standard maritime training institutions across the country.
The NIMASA bos said that the Agency is currently screening maritime institutions across the country and would accredit only the ones that can provide the maritime training required in line with global best practices.
The Director General spoke when he received the leadership of the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, led by the National President, Comrade (Engr.) Matthew Alalade at the Agency’s Headquarters in Lagos.
Dr. Peterside said that NIMASA is not in a position to recognise any Merchant Navy Association as that function falls under the purview of the National Assembly even as he made it clear that he is determined to ensure that the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act 2003, also known as the Cabotage Act is implemented to the letter.
He said that proper regulation of the Cabotage Act is instrumental to the development of the maritime sector, adding that Nigerians must always be encouraged to be key players in the sector.
Dr. Peterside gave assurance that efforts are being made through the necessary legal framework,  to check the abuse of waivers.
“We have not realized the full potential of the Cabotage Act but we have moved a step ahead. Just to be sure that we are committed to the full implementation of the Cabotage Act, issues relating to waiver abuse are currently being dealt with accordingly.”
He said that the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) would only be disbursed to people that would put it into use for which it is intended, saying that applicants must have the requisite criteria as beneficiaries.
“We will rigorously screen the applicants of the CVFF in order to ensure that the funds are disbursed to people who would use it for the purposes the funds are meant for.”
Earlier, the Association which decried the abuse of waivers in the implementation of the Cabotage Act, requested the Agency to find ways of reviewing the Act to pave the way for indigenous operators to be more involved in coastal and inland trade in Nigeria.
The Association also sought greater collaboration with NIMASA, especially in the areas of maritime regulatory decision making and human capacity building for the growth and development of the industry. [myad]

FG Extends Application For Recruitment Of 600,000 Nigerian Youths To August End

Job seekerNigeria’s Federal Government has extended the deadline for the submission of applications for the N-Power online jobs and training for 600,000 young Nigerians to the end of August. applications has been extended till the end of August
The application process commenced on June 12th 2016 and was to close on Monday, July 25, 2016.
In a statement on Monday, the senior special assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, said that the extension is in line with the government’s promise of empowering and uplifting young Nigerians by improving their livelihood and creating opportunities such as this.
“The Federal Government is providing an additional grace period for more young Nigerians to access the N-Power opportunity. The new deadline for the receipt of applications is now Wednesday, August 31, 2016.
The statement explained that N-Power is one of the initiatives of the N500 billion President Muhammadu Buhari’s Social Investment Programme designed to empower young Nigerians with life-long skills to find or create work.
“The N-Power programme is segmented into three: N-Power
Teachers Corps Agriculture & Health related jobs; N-Power Knowledge for ICT, N-Power Build for building services & artisanal training”
It said that N-Power is targeted at young Nigerians aged between 18 and 35 and is aimed at enlisting a total of 600,000 young Nigerians in phases, and under different sectors, in the largest capacity development and empowerment effort yet in the country.
“The Federal Government will continue to work with the State Governments through their respective focal persons on Social Investments to ensure that N-Power is diverse and inclusive.
“This extension presents an opportunity for persons who have not had the opportunity to apply to do so now. This will also allow those yet to complete the application process to ensure they see the process through as incomplete applications will not be processed.
“To apply, simply log on to www.npower.gov.ng and register for any one of the three sub-programmes.”
It asked the applicants to note that applications may be subject to other criteria which can be found on the N-Power website, saying that applicants who have any challenge with uploading supporting documents unto the Portal because of the size of the files, should attach such documents in a mail transmitted to support@npower.gov.ng
“After the Application portal closes, there will be a verification, testing and selection process before successful applicants are enlisted in phases as the specific programme design may necessitate.
“The Federal Government will publicise the selection criteria before the application process comes to a close.
“Modalities relating to the enlistment process will no longer commence today as earlier envisaged due to the demand for extension by many Nigerians from across several states.”
The statement made it clear that the government is committed to ensuring that through N-Power, young Nigerians will acquire the skills and knowledge to become the driving forces of Nigeria’s economic growth and social development. [myad]

Nigerian Journalist Calls For Release Of Colleague, Detained By Cameroonian Authorities For Alleged Espionage

Ahmed Abba 2A Nigerian journalist, Simon Ateba, who was arrested and detained by the Cameroonian authorities at the Minawao camp on 28 August 2015, having been accused of being a spy for Boko Haram, has called for the immediate release of a colleague, Mr. Ahmed Abba, who was similarly arrested and is now over one year in detention.
Ateba, who said he was arrested at the Minawao camp in Cameroon last August, detained for four agonizing days and accused of being a spy for Boko Haram, said that after his experience, “I will not wish it even to my sworn enemies to spend a day or night in one of those atrocious detention centres in Cameroon where many are dumped on baseless allegations or accusations.”
In a statement, Ateba said that he and Ahmed were doing a story on Nigerian refugees in Cameroon’s far north, but were picked up by the Cameroonian authorities.
“Mr. Ahmed Abba, a Nigerian journalist working with Radio France International, RFI,” he said, has been in detention in Cameroon since 30 July 2015 on suspicions that he is a spy, an accomplice or even a member of Boko Haram, the terrorist organisation that has killed more than 1300 people in Cameroon since 2013, displaced hundreds of thousands and left entire villages deserted.
“Since he was arrested in Maroua and moved to Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, Ahmed Abba has been detained in inhumane conditions, first without access to any lawyer, and then in tribunals that have no clear evidence against him.
“Amnesty International recently released a damning report about human rights violations by the Cameroonian authorities who in their bid to defeat Boko Haram, end up arresting, killing and detaining thousands of innocent people without solid evidence.
“Ahmed Abba in one year, has appeared in various tribunals four times without any clear evidence against the journalist who was only doing his job.
“It is not a crime for a journalist to have sources on all sides and it is not a crime to cultivate sources to tell a better story. If I can establish contact with anyone causing problems, I will gladly do that and ask the right questions to them.
“Journalism is not espionage as Cameroonian authorities have come to misguidedly understand.
“And since the journalist was arrested, Boko Haram has continued to kill. In fact, only yesterday as reported by reliable newspaper, LÓeil du Sahel, the terrorists who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in March last year and have since modelled their barbarism after the Middle East killers, went to kill a man right in his house.
“Daily attacks have continued and civilians have continued to pay the heavy price. I condemn terrorism and called on the multinational joint taskforce to continue to be ruthless towards the real terrorists but not innocent people who have nothing to do with suicide bombing or gun attacks.
“They should also not vent their anger on journalists like Ahmed Abba who are simply doing their job, the job of informing the world about things going on all over planet earth.
“Reporters without borders, like many other reputable international organisations, have said that accusations against Ahmed Abba  and many other innocent people are simply fallacious, and I may an attempt by the authorities to show that they are working hard.
“I understand that with so many innocent people dying, there is a tendency to be hard on anyone who is suspected of having anything to do with it, but we must not confuse journalism with spying. They are two different things.
“I call on the authorities to release the poor man who may by now be sick and on the brink of dying having spent a year and a day in detention.
“I spent only four days, but the trauma of that agonising experience follows me every single day. IGod forbid, I spent a year in such dire conditions.
“Please release the man before he dies in detention, only to find out later that he was innocent.” [myad]

Modu Sheriff Disciplines Tony Anenih, Asks Him To Answer Query

Tony Anenihh

Factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has applied disciplinary measure against the former chairman of the board of trustees of the party, Chief Tony Anenih, whom he said must answer a query issued to him for alleged anti-party activities.

Senator Sheriff was, on Sunday, responding to a letter written by the secretary of the party’s caretaker committee, Senator Ben, Obi re-admitting Chief Anenih into the party’s Board of trustees.

Senator Obi had in the letter said: “with a view to finally clearing all issues relating to this matter and based on your request to meet with the current Caretaker Committee, and the agreed meeting which took place on July 13, 2016, the Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, wishes to thank you for appearing before it to finally clear all issues relating to this matter.

“Having heard from you, and made some consultations, the Caretaker Committee has reviewed the whole episode and decided to withdraw the said letter from and by the defunct National Working Committee.”

But in a statement signed by Hon. Bernard Mikko on behalf of Sheriff, the faction noted that the “National Working Committee (NWC) issued a query to Chief Tony Anenih in April 2015 as part of disciplinary procedures for his anti party activities in Imo State during the 2015 General elections in line with Article 57(4) of the PDP Constitution 2012 (as amended).

“Chief Anenih did not respond to the query but chose to tender a letter of resignation as BoT member. Up till date, the query remains unanswered and his resignation remains valid.

“Any effort to re-admit the chief will have to follow due process which is well known to all party members. If the chief is desirous of returning as member of the BoT, he should re-apply to the party, with his response to the pending query for consideration.

“Party members are hereby assured that no individual or group will be prejudiced in the enforcement of discipline and the application of the rule of law.” [myad]

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