Anambra LG Elections: ACN backs Council aspirants’ demands

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>   Says list of appointees for caretaker in June ready
Action Congress of Nigeria hereby backs the demands laid out by the Association of Chairmanship and Councillorship aspirants (ANACCA) as published by all major national newspapers on April 03, 2012.
To refresh the memory of all, ANACCA comprising local government aspirants from all the registered political parties in Nigeria with presence in Anambra, including the All Progressive Grand Aliance (APGA) has requested the state government to dismantle all self –imposed obstacles and conduct elections before June 2012 by adopting the following measures:
·        ANSIEC should be mandated to release of timetable for local government elections by ANSIEC to be approved by the Anambra State House of Assembly by April 30, 2012.
·        N200 million budgeted for the local government elections by the state house of Assembly as contained in the 2012 budget passed into law on February 20, 2012 and any additional need should be the subject of a supplementary budget to the House of Assembly.
·        The state Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi, should expedite action on the transfer of case applied for by the Attorney General of the State Mr E.D .Chukwuma to accelerate the case of Prof. Titus Eze, sacked Chairman of ANSIEC, in the interest of justice
·        The state government should in the alternative call back Prof Titus Eze and properly constitute the ANSIEC board to ensure that there is no legal obstacle to the smooth conduct of the local government polls.
·        The state house of Assembly should reverse itself on the provision for one year tenure for transition officials and assume only a period not exceeding three (3) months.
·        The National Assembly to withhold all funds due to the local government areas of Anambra State, until such a time when elections have been conducted and elected governments are sworn in at the local government level.
We cannot but agree intoto.
It is very instructive to the good people of Anambra State that the government in Awka is sitting idly on the shoulder of these germaine demands without any response to the germane issues raised. Rather in total contempt, the executive arm of the government and is agents, without regard to subsisting local government laws and the principles of separation of powers is busy short listing those to be appointed into the local governments as TRANSITION COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND MEMBERS in June 2012.
As we write the temporary list of Trasition committee to be imposed on the State House of Assembly and the people of Anambra State by June 30, 2012 is ready in 19 out of the 21 local government areas of Anambra State.
Can we say with any iota of truth that this government is not less sensitive, more arrogant in power, and sees less need to account to the people than a military junta?
Once again we awaken the consciousness of Ndi Anambrathat we cannot continue, 14 years after the last local government elections, idly watch the government perfect its undemocratic designs, while holding down the genuine growth of our state, as if democracy is not the system of government chosen by, and for our people.
For:
ACTION CONGRESS OF NIGERIA, ANAMBRA STATE CHAPTER,
Okelo Madukaife
State Publicity Secretary

Uduaghan’s Aide Donates Salary To Community

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The Special Adviser to Delta State Governor on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mr. Sunny Ofili says he has donated 20 percent of his monthly salary to Issele -Azagba Community in Aniocha North Local Government area of the state.

 

 

 

While saying that the gesture was part of his commitments to the socio-economic development of the community, the Governor’s top aide explained that the first phase of the donation would be targeted towards the completion of the civic centre in the area just as he stressed that the move is in consonance with the state government’s three point agenda.

 

 

Speaking shortly after the reception, he said “ I have just made the pledge and there is no going back on it, in fact, as I speak with you right now, I am already calculating the annual sum of the salary so that I can be sending it once”

 

 

“M y position is a public trust and I owe it to both the governor who appointed me and the entire community. Charity they say begins at home and this is the reason why I have decided to donate a part of my salary to my people.”

 

“As I travel throughout my LGA (Aniocha North) I will intervene with whatever I have in service to the community. We are in politics to serve the community and not ourselves.” Ofili said.

 

He thanked Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan “for his people-oriented programs and the special attention being paid to ICT development in the state especial in the area of establishing computer labs in school and the building of a world class ICT Park in Asaba.”

 

Earlier at the ceremony, the Uwolo of Issele-Azagba and chairman Planning Committee, Chief Emmanuel Eboha had earlier appealed to illustrious son and daughters of the community to come to their aid towards the completion of the civic centre just as informed that the decision to honour Mr. Peter Idabor and Sunny Ofili was born out of the duo’s achievements in their various fields, dedication and commitment to the development of the community and philanthropic dispositions particularly to the down trodden in the society.

 

 

The ceremony was attended by who- is- who in the community including the Chairman and Managing Director A.C Okocha Motors, Mr. Andrew Okocha, who was the chairman of the occasion, the Obi of Issele-Uku, Obi of Issele-Azagba, Obi of Ubulu-Uku. Also in attendance was Honourable Onyemaechi Mrakpor, member representing Aniocha South in the State House of Assembly. The Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei was represented by his Chief of Staff Mr. Ephraim Osubor.

 

In his speech, Ochei praised Ofili for his service to the community and urged him not to depart from the good works he has started.

Boko Haram’s Abdul Qaqah Still Alive, Boko Haram Rejects Dialogue

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Information available to 247ureports.com through sources within the ranks of the Islamic terrorist group, the Boko Haram reveals that the new spokesperson for the Islamic group, Abdul Qaqah [2] may have not been murdered as widely reported in the Nigerian print and electronic media.

According to the previously published information, Abdul Qaqah was murdered by the Islamic group while in Kaduna – where he lived and operated as a tailor. But highly credible source within the Islamic sect reveals that the Islamic sect had not murdered the spokesperson of the group. It was revealed that Abdul Qaqah was in Bauchi State on Sunday and Monday [April 15 and April 16] visiting some of the state government officials close to Governor Yuguda on business appointments. It was further gathered that Abdul Qaqah found the news of his death amusing – he compared it to the rumor of General Odimegwu Ojukwu’s death during the Nigerian invasion of Biafra.

“Abdul Qaqah [2] is alive and in Bauchi now” – said a source within the sect.

Meanwhile, available information further revealed that the Boko Haram sect has resolved to close all doors to dialogue with the federal government or agents representing the federal government. Citing the insincerity of the federal government and their agents, the men of Boko Haram revealed that the sect has been approached repeatedly by the agents of the federal government for talks – following the President’s declaration that Boko Haram will be history by June of 2012. The source made clear that the Islamic group is determined to significantly alter the demographics of the Nigerian population and landscape by July 2012.

It is not certain how the sect intends to achieve its goal but the handwriting on the wall is certain.

They pointed to the bomb attack in Kano as an indication of what will follow in the coming weeks – “it was a clear warning” for the infidels to leave and go home. “The police and army are afraid now” – stated the source who went on to explain that any resulting deaths of Christians will be on the “heads of the Nigerian security agents and not on Boko Haram’s head”.  The source pointed to the inconsistencies of the federal government as indicative of the nonchalant manner it has dealt with the threat of Boko Haram.They cited the defense minister’s utterance that the Boko Haram had been contained – which was then followed by another declaration by another government security agent [a couple of days later] that the federal government is at war with Boko Haram. A few days later, another federal government agent went public to plead for dialogue.

“These Jonathan people are not serious. They don’t know Boko Haram” exclaimed the source.

Gbenga Daniel Arraigned, Granted Bail on Stringent Conditions

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Justice Olarenwaju Mabekoje of Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta has adjourned to May 7, 2012 for hearing in the case brought against former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Daniel was re-arraigned on Monday April 16, 2012 by the EFCC on a 38 count charge which borders on misappropriation of fund amounting to over N200 million, criminal breach of trust and abuse of office while he held sway as governor of Ogun State.

The former governor who pleaded not guilty to  all the 38 counts when they were read to him was however granted bail by Justice Mabekoje in the sum of N500 million and two sureties in like sum. The sureties who are to have landed property in Ogun State are to deposit the title document of the property with the registrar of the court. Both Daniel and the sureties are to deposit two passport photographs with the court, while the defendant’s international passport is to remain in the custody of the EFCC.

Justice Mabekoje gave his ruling after listening to the argument on the bail application from counsel on both sides. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN appearing for the accused persons, urged the court to admit his client to bail. Arguing in support of the application and backed by a 27 paragraph affidavit, Oyetibo told the court that the most important criteria for bail were the assurance that the defendant will be available in court for his trial. He added that baıl is a constitutional right of an accused person and as such should not be denied if defendant has shown that he would be available for trial.

On the other hand, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs opposed the bail application on several grounds one of which is the safety of prosecution witnesses against the background of alleged fears that the defendant has a killer squad. He said the fact that a bail was granted by the court to the accused before does not mean that it will apply to the present application. He said even if the court eventually grants bail, it should be with a very tough condition. “We urge your Lordship to exercise your discretion in the interest of Justice. We oppose bail and if your Lordship will grant bail, it should be with stringent conditions.” Jacobs said

Jonathan Congratulates World Bank, Supports Iweala

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President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has congratulated Dr. Jim Yong Kim on his election as the new President of the World Bank. President Jonathan also thanked the leaders, governments, peoples and friends of developing countries, as well as the media and other civil society groups, for the support and encouragement given to Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

 

The President restated the readiness of the Federal Government of Nigeria to continue to build on the existing cordial relationship and cooperation with the global institution.

 

President Jonathan wishes Dr. Kim, the candidate of the United States in the race for the helmsman of the World Bank, a successful tenure. He urges him to see his election as a challenge and a great opportunity for addressing the numerous issues of human development and poverty alleviation facing developing countries in general and Africa in particular.

 

The President also enjoined the new World Bank President to broaden the achievements of his predecessor, Robert Zoellick, and respond positively to the calls for reforms of the multilateral institution. President Jonathan also commended Nigeria and the developing world for running a well-articulated campaign in the race for the presidency of the World Bank.

 

The President noted that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala represented the voice of developing countries in the imperative campaign for the reform of the World Bank, stressing that her participation in the race has been a truly rewarding experience, which should inspire all Africans and the rest of the developing world to remain optimistic about the future of the World Bank.

 

Reuben Abati

Special Adviser (Media & Publicity) to the President

April 16, 2012.

288 Jailed for Internet Fraud, €2billion Fake seized –EFCC

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The EFCC Chairman,Ibrahim Lamorde has revealed that the Commission has convicted over 288 persons over sundry Internet crimes.  He also disclosed that four fugitives were extradited to the United States and a whopping 234 cases are still being prosecuted in courts across the country.

Lamorde disclosed these on Monday April 16, 2012, at the opening of a three-day conference with the theme, Regional Cooperation Against Internet-based Transnational Fraud organized by the Commission in collaboration with the Australian Federal Police, AFP, taking place at the EFCC Academy, Karu-Abuja.

Lamorde also  said that a total counterfeit financial instruments seized by the Commission in collaboration with the Nigeria Postal Service,  stood at Twenty Four Million, Two Hundred and Thirteen thousand, Two Hundred and Eight dollar($ 24,213,208);Eight hundred and Fifty Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty Seven Pounds Sterling (£858,937); One Billion, One Hundred and Ninety Five Million, Two Hundred and Eighteen Thousand , Two Hundred and Forty One Euros( €1,195,218214) of which Nine Hundred and Fifty Two Thousand, One Hundred Dollars was the cash seized.

The EFCC chairman who said that the regional engagement was in recognition of the challenges being faced by various countries in the West African sub-region, in the fight against internet crime stated that “We must collaborate to at least survive the onslaught and then fight back from the position of strength conferred by pooled resources, shared intelligence, joint operations and other efforts such as this.”

He however paid tribute to all those who had in one way or the other contributed to the successful fight against internet-crime especially the legislative arm of government who had formulated in recent time, a strong legal framework, the judiciary and the banking sector.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke while declaring the conference open said that Nigeria is leading the fight against cybercrime and other economic and financial crimes in West Africa and across the world.

Adoke who expressed appreciation to the government of Australia, whose Police is collaborating with EFCC in organizing the engagement stated that by its efforts in combating cybercrime over the years, Nigeria cannot be justifiably described as a ‘419’ nation. “While we cannot deny the involvement of some Nigerians in these unwholesome practices, we vehemently reject the tendency on the part of nationals of some countries even within ECOWAS sub-region to label Nigeria as a 419 nation.”

He said that Nigeria and Nigerians do not condone such nefarious activities being perpetrated by a few people and had in an effort to curb the menace, put in place requisite legal and institutional frameworks to deal with cybercrime. “Our law enforcement agencies have recorded giant strides in the enforcement of these laws as evidenced by the increased arrest, prosecution and conviction of internet fraud related offences recorded monthly,” Adoke stressed.

The Minister also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the implementation of all UN Conventions and protocols in the fight against transnational organized crime.

In her remark, the special envoy to the Australian Prime Minister to West Africa, Ms. Joanna Hewitt said she was greatly pleased to attend the auspicious engagement which she described as indicative of her government’s growing links with Nigeria in recent times. She disclosed that Nigeria is Australia’s second most important trading partner in Africa and that her country is elated to see that Nigeria has been taking giant developmental strides. “These strides suggest a future hope of better days ahead which were seen in other countries like China that eventually emerged as economic powers in the late nineties”. She said.

Hewitt who revealed several collaborative initiatives between Nigeria and Australia in the areas of mining, agriculture and education said that the economies of the two countries were similar, hence the need to interface in combating challenges like cyber-crime which emerge as a result of these commonalities.

Speaking also at the occasion, the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Ian McConville praised Nigeria for taking up the challenge of fighting cybercrime not only in West Africa but globally, which he said, informed the resurgence of collaboration across several sectors, between Nigeria and Australia in recent times. He charged participants to go beyond listening to papers presented to building partnerships.  “We will like to be your partner in institutional capacity building especially as it concerns this intractable problem of cybercrime. But I urge all of you, to promote even as our governments are doing, people to people linkages and partnerships which is what this engagement is part of.”

Participants for the conference which ends on Wednesday are drawn from Niger, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Benin Republic, Togo, Cote de Voire, Guinea Bissau, Senegal, Guinea and Nigeria.

World Bank picks health expert Kim as president, over Okonjo Iweala

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Jim Yong Kim, the U.S. nominee for the next World Bank president, leaves Finance Ministry after meeting in Tokyo

(Reuters) – The World Bank on Monday chose Korean-born American health expert Jim Yong Kim as its new president, maintaining Washington’s grip on the job and leaving developing countries questioning the selection process.

Kim, 52, won the job over Nigeria’s widely respected finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, with the support of Washington’s allies in Western Europe, Japan, Canada and some emerging market economies, including Russia, Mexico and South Korea.

Unlike previous World Bank elections, the decision was not unanimous. “The final nominees received support from different member countries, which reflected the high caliber of the candidates,” the Bank said in announcing its board’s decision.

Kim, president of Dartmouth College, will assume his new post on July 1 after the Bank’s current president, Robert Zoellick, steps down.

The United States has held the presidency since the World Bank’s founding after World War Two, while a European has always led its sister institution, the International Monetary Fund.

Unlike previous heads of the World Bank, Kim is not a politician, a banker or diplomat. He is a trained physician and anthropologist who has worked to bring health care to the poor in developing countries, whether fighting tuberculosis in Haiti and Peru or tackling HIV/AIDS in Russian prisons.

There had been a three-way contest for the presidency of the poverty-fighting institution until Friday when former Colombian finance minister Jose Antonio Ocampo withdrew. He said the process, which was meant to be based solely on credentials, had become highly political.

South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan welcomed the fact that non-Americans competed for the post for the first time, but also said there were concerns the process was not fully merit-based.

“I think we are going to find that the process falls short of that,” Gordhan told the Foreign Correspondent’s Association in South Africa, adding that there were also “serious concerns” the decision was made without full transparency.

Chris Green took NFA to court in 1998. So why is it a sin now to do same?

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By Olajide Ayodeji Fashikun

To have a rich history and be  proud of it is a strong heritage. To want to re-write history is fool  hardy. The latter is what the Japanese call sciolists and advise we  should ignore because they are the biggest of fools.

The Hausas say “ban gwan kwali, uban dutse” which the Yoruba equivalent is “ogulutu baba oko” and the adulterated English version is “those who live in glass house don’t throw stones”. If anyone follows threads here well, I had reason to question the hordes of ‘lawyers’ in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Today, I can  reveal that Christopher Green was the one who, on behalf of Sharks FC of Port-Harcourt, took the NFA to court after instigating fans against  Rangers of Enugu to cause some confusion in the league.
I saw the court papers in the course of looking for another document and laughed myself hoarse wondering what they in the Glass House now say  about taking football matters to court. Yet, this same Green (wonder if it were not he only read law courses)  would chastise NANF and others who went to courts of the land because  he’s now in the NFF (twice declared illegal by courts of the land). Chris Green was the secretary of Sharks FC when he instigated fans of  the club against Rangers International FC of Enugu leading the NFA to  descend on Sharks. Does Mr. Green think that our memory is so short? Or if we do not keep  records?
I read his affidavits and feel like many of those in the saddle of football today are not just comedians of grave error. Is the same Green not the law illiterate who wrote the Police that I  caused libel and defamation against the NFF? I have just briefed a  lawyer to “sue the bastards” like a popular lawyers’ sticker screamed in advise. Their legal troubles will in a matter of days increase by one. I am going to court against them.

There can never be peace where justice is not served.

ACN to PDP: Stop using religion to destabilize the South-west

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The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has warned the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) against continuing to
play the religious card in its desperate and ongoing attempt to
destabilize the South-west, saying the consequences
of such a misadventure will be too grave for the nation.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Monday by its National Publicity
Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said
the concocted accusations against Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola,
that he is trying to Islamize the state and
also engineer secession, are part of the PDP’s grand plan to use
religion as a destabilizing force in the South-west
in particular and the whole country in Nigeria.

It said the fact that the PDP desperadoes and their collaborators in
the security services could even try to link Governor
Aregbesola with Boko Haram is an indication of how low they are
willing to sink just to carry out their nefarious plot.

ACN also expressed surprise that in its desperation, the PDP ensured
that its collaborators in the security services –
in routing their imaginary security report – bypassed the normal
channel of communication on national security issues.

”The South-west as a region does not have a history of religious
intolerance as, in most families, adherents of the various
faith have co-existed peacefully through the ages. It is therefore
curious that a party that prides itself as pan-Nigeria will seek
to end the age-long religious tolerance in this region just for
political expediency,” ACN said.

The party said any keen observer of the way the PDP-controlled federal
government has handled the Boko Haram crisis will
not be too surprised that the party’s goons in the South-west, backed
by their clueless bosses at the federal level, are
resorting to religion in their inordinate quest to ‘recapture’ the
region they so mindlessly plundered in their first coming.

”The Boko Haram crisis has become the meal ticket for the PDP and its
chop-I-chop members, what with the huge chunk
(about a quarter of the 2012 budget) allocated to ‘combating’ it. It
is also the party’s trump card for maintaining a stranglehold
on the nation, hence its flame must be kept aglow at all costs – human
or material.

”It is also common knowledge that President Goodluck Jonathan of the
PDP has frittered away the goodwill that followed him
into office, through a succession of poorly-thought-out policies. With
his eyes firmly set on another mandate even when he
has not justified the current one, he and his party believe that his
surest ticket to another mandate is to keep the flame of Boko
Haram burning, and continue misinforming the international community
that the crisis is rooted in religion, rather than in years of
irresponsible governance, the type of which the PDP has foisted on
Nigeria since 1999.

”That is why the PDP federal government has paid only a lip service
to all efforts to find a lasting solution to the Boko Haram crisis.
It was the government’s insincerity (the mediators said so and the
government did not deny) that led to the collapse of the most
recent attempt to resolve the crisis. In the post-911 world, the best
way to attract sympathy from the international community is to
put the terrorism badge on any acts of brigandage or social disorder
and then link it with religion.

”However, the game is up for the PDP, and the party will know this if
it bothers to read between the lines the recent apt characterization
of the Boko Haram crisis by the Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African
Affairs at the US State Department, Mr Johnnie Carson,” ACN
said.

The party therefore warned: ”PDP should stop exploiting religion for
whatever purpose. It should stop encouraging those who are bent on
exploiting it to destabilize our country. And as Mr. Carson rightly
advised, let us make it impossible for Boko Haram or any group
whatsoever to ‘capitalize on popular frustration with leaders, poor
government service delivery and the dismal living conditions’ of many
of our citizens. The only way to do this is good governance, not scare
mongering. We hope the PDP is listening.”

Alhaji Lai Mohammed
National Publicity Secretary
Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)
Lagos, 16April2012

MASSOB Warn Kano Attackers, Ohaneze Condemns Attack

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Information available to 247ureports.com through the leadership of the apex Igbo organization, the Ohaneze Kano State Chapter indicates that the Christian community and non-indigenes of Kano State resident in Sabon Gari may have begun planning for revenge attack against the attackers responsible for the bomb attack in Sabon Gari yesterday night. This is as the leader of the Kano State chapter of Ohaneze, Chief Tobias Idika, condemned the bomb attack as a cowardly act by those who hate freedom and free democracy.

The Ohaneze leader, Chief Idika, in his condemnation of the attack called on the various Security agencies in the nation to wake up and see the plan of the cowards against the law abiding residents of Sabon Gari. According to Tobias Idika, the men of Boko Haram have made no secret their intent to chase the residents out of Sabon Gari – in order to take over the many precious real estates erected by the residents of Sabon Gari. Idika pleaded with the Joint Task Force to see the handwriting on the wall. He indicated that the residents of Sabon Gari who are predominantly Christians have began abandoning their buildings and homes for hiding places outside Kano.

“This incident was just a warning” stated the Ohaneze leader who explained that the casualty number was low because the visitors to the bar has yet to begin arriving to the outdoor joint when the bomb exploded. The three persons that were injured resulted from flying debris. The residents of the area who also spoke to our correspondent stated that they believe that the explosion was a warning for the residents to abandon the area.

Meanwhile the members and workers at the St. Stephens Anglican Church located opposite the crime scene are reported to be panicked – and as a result has abscond from work while some of the church members are said to have decided to decide on attending church services elsewhere.

The Nigerian police force has however discounted the bomb attacked as a minor incident. According to the police public relations officer, Malam Magaji, the attack was minor and was brought under control within five minutes after the bomb attack. Magaji stated that the bomb was a locally made bomb inside a small can drink container placed under a sport utility vehicle. He stated that the attack did not injure or kill any person- and that normalcy have returned to the area. Adding credence to the police force were other security operatives who spoke to 247ureports.com off the record. They indicated that the attack showed a weak sign of a defeated terrorist group desperate to make a showing. They confirmed that the explosive device used in yesterday’s had striking resemblance to those recovered at one of Boko Haram’s hide out locations in Kano.

In a related development, the leadership of MASSOB has reacted to the bomb blast. Talking to our correspondent on the telephone, the number two man in MASSOB, Chief Ezeonwuka, reminded the Igbo residents in Kano of MASSOB’s call to return their families home away from Kano. He stated that MASSOB had reserved an area in Okwe, Imo State for returnees. Stating this, the MASSOB leader warned the bombers to be careful not to harm any of the residents of Sabon Gari – or face their wrath.

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