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South African Airways Resumes Flights After Bankruptcy

By
Munachi
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0

South Africa’s embattled national airline on Thursday flew its first plane since March 2020 after emerging from bankruptcy proceedings.

Passengers on the South African Airways (SAA) flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town were greeted on their departure by singing and dancing airline staff.

Once Africa’s second-largest airline after Ethiopian Airlines, SAA had survived for decades on government bailouts and was shedding routes even before the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

The government agreed in June to sell a 51-percent stake to a group of investors called the Takatso Consortium, opening the way to a potential injection of $200 million (171 million euros).

READ ALSO: Fani-Kayode’s Admission Into APC, Symbolic Presidential Amnesty – Dr. Kayode Ajulo

Even after a state bailout of more than $500 million (426 million euros) and a restructuring of its debt, the airline only emerged from bankruptcy after slashing hundreds of jobs.

In addition to the domestic route that resumed on Thursday, SAA plans to begin regional services next week to Accra, Kinshasa, Lusaka, Harare and Maputo.

Chief finance officer Fikile Mhlonto said this week that the airline’s fleet is down to six planes, from a previous 46.

SAA low-cost subsidiary Mango remains grounded and in bankruptcy proceedings.

‘Come 2023, I Shall Be President’, Yahaya Bello Declares

By
ABN TV EDITOR
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Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello has expressed his optimism that he’d emerge Nigeria leader come 2023.

The governor spoke during the inauguration of a presidential campaign movement for him by some northern youth in Kaduna State. He said Nigerian youths will decide his fate in the presidential race.

Bello was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Youth and Student Affairs, Ahmed Jubril.

He said, “The agitation is part of democracy, everybody has the right to call for what they want and it is their opinion. But we know that as a party, in the APC, we don’t have any fixed law saying anybody is entitled to power in any area for a period of time. Let the youth of Nigeria decide who they want.

“If they have seen the youth in Governor Bello, if they have seen a leader and a unifier of the country in him, then he shall be President by the grace of God, because man proposes, but God has the final say.”

Bello is heavily touted to contest for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the 2023 Presidential election.

Although, APC national leader, Bola Tinubu is also being rumoured to be a candidate, the former Lagos governor has not officially indicated interest in running for Presidency.

Fani-Kayode’s Admission Into APC, Symbolic Presidential Amnesty – Dr. Kayode Ajulo

By
Munachi
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0

Dr. Kayode Ajulo, a legal practitioner, has described Mr Femi Fani – Kayode’s (FFK) admission into the APC as a ‘symbolic presidential amnesty’, considering his past attacks on President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ajulo said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, against the backdrop of FFK’s recent defection to the APC.

He said the APC was magnanimous to have received FFK, irrespective of the fact that some persons including some party members might not be happy with the development.

“FFK’s past attacks on President Buhari and the APC had unwittingly influenced passions in some quarters, for armed and unarmed agitations against the President and the Nigerian state.”

He recalled that FFK had suggested on different occasions with his tweets, that the APC government was filled with terrorists.

Ajulo, however, said that the commendable magnanimity of President Buhari to FFK should be extended to various agitators across the country as a basis for amnesty.

According to him, amnesty in this context is not to be viewed from the strict standpoint of legal knowledge, rather the ordinary meaning is desirable.

READ ALSO: Everybody Can’t Be Employed By Govt – Governor Aminu Bello

“For our immediate purpose, therefore, amnesty means forgiveness, cessation of remembrance of wrong, leniency and mercy,” he said.

He stated that it might not be wrong to state that the symbolic ‘amnesty’ granted to FFK by the President and the APC almost came on a platter of gold.

“The symbolism by the President signposts the fact that the vilest of ‘sinner’ in his lucid moment of thorough reflections, can be granted safe passage toward the “mercy seat,” he said.

Ajulo admitted that FFK is a misunderstood man and has a controversial personality.

According to him, haven been given the benefit of ‘eating his cake and having it, the same level of understanding, leniency, and mercy should be extended to his allies.

He said some of the agitations by secessionists had not gone without the open endorsement and support of FFK.

He advised Fani-Kayode to totally divest himself of his divisive un-nationalistic past.

Joe Igbokwe Mocks IPOB’s Sit-At-Home, Says Should Be Extended

By
ABN TV EDITOR
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0

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, has mocked the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB’s) sit-at-home protest, saying it should be extended for at least one more year.

“I think we should extend the sit-at-home protest in South-East Nigeria at least for one year. It will help Igbo Nation in no uncertain terms,” Igbokwe wrote on his known Facebook page on Wednesday night.

Since August, IPOB locked down the South-East zone every Monday due to the detainment by Nigerian authorities of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The controversial group had stated that the Monday lockdown was to be tagged: “Ghost Monday.”

Although the group has said that it has suspended the sit-at-home, empty streets are still seen in some states in the South-East zone.

Now, IPOB is planning to lock down the South East for one month, if Kanu is not brought to court on October 21, 2021.

IPOB is known for his prominent advocacy of the contemporary Biafran independence movement. It is considered the largest Biafran independence organization by the membership.

EFCC Officials Invaded My Home At Midnight Like Robbers, Destroyed Property – Abia Journalist [PHOTOS]

By
ABN TV EDITOR
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0

An Abia-based journalist, Norah Okafor has narrated her gory experience after officials of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC fully masked invaded her home at about 2am, destroying property, saying she mistook them for arm robbers.

Mrs Norah Okafor

In a Facebook post sighted by ABN TV, Okafor said the EFCC officials dressed in black, numbering about 25 had at about 1:36am arrived their gate, broke it, cut off the electric fencing and finally destroyed the door with axe to make their way to her apartment.

She was not alone in the experience as the security agencies also invaded the apartment of her neighbors for unexplained purposes.

She said, “At exactly 1:36am, I was alerted by my brother that there are armed robbers at my gate trying to make their way into the compound. Because it was an electric fence, I didn’t bother enough because I felt they can’t make their way in.

“Alas, I was wrong. 2am on the dot they made their way into the compound. They came prepared. Over 25 of them with two Hilux buses, masked and dressed in black upon black. A huge one climbed the fence, with a plier and immediately cut off a few of the wires, jumped into the compound and with an axe, broke the gate key open and zoom they made their first entry into my apartment.”

She continued, “The next thing I realized was that about 7 of them were already in my room with shouts of “lie down, face down, on the light, where’s your phone, where’s your car key, where’s this and that..Confused me. Seeing over 25 hefty men with different kinds of guns, mhen, e don be, be that.I handed the phone to them with the key, before then, they have already taken hold of my laptop. I turned to be sure these were armed robbers, and they asked for my passwords to all the devices collected with masking tape to identify each.

“Still in shock, I heard someone destroying everything in the kitchen, my room, that of my brothers and all the drawers. I was still asking myself what’s happening? They asked me to stand and follow them downstairs, lo and beyond, they unmasked themselves, hmmmm..are these kind criminals? I asked. All my neighbours were already going through the same pain as I.

“They have already given my brothers a beating of their lives, carried my neighbour downstairs and tried unlocking all the cars in the compound. And after searching all the phones and laptops, three of their men walked in, lo and behold, it was EFCC. What? I screamed. Shut up, was the next thing i heard and when they couldn’t open my phone, they asked me to, I did and after a while I just asked, please where is your office so I can come pick up my things on my way to work, they asked me what I do and I said “journalist”, asked my neighbour he said “lawyer”, the other “doctor”. They looked at me, handed over the phones and said” we just wasted our time”.

“These fools, spent over one hour molesting and destroying things in this compound. I feel so pained and embarrassed right now.”

All efforts to reach the authorities of EFCC for a comment proved abortive as at the moment of this report.

See photos below….

Everybody Can’t Be Employed By Govt – Governor Aminu Bello

By
Munachi
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0

Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has said that it is not proper to be educated and still be in bondage.

He said the purpose of acquiring knowledge is to liberate oneself and by extension the society he lives in.

Masari while disabusing the minds of youths in the State from focusing on paid employment, admonished them to strive towards being more innovative and enterprising by putting their brains to work.

Similarly, he tasked youths in the State to stop casting aspersion on family and community businesses by which they were raised and educated as such businesses are what made the so called developed countries of the world today, great.

Governor Masari made the statement while declaring open, a summit organized to discuss the future of the State titles: The Save Katsina Group Summit.

“The benefits of the education you have is to free you. An education that does not free the individual from bondage is not an education.

“We don’t go to school because we must be given a paid employment. An educated sugarcane seller will do better than an uneducated sugarcane seller.

“Young men and women, those trades that your fathers and mothers did to educate you, improve on them. Don’t feel that you are above them now. That is part of the problem that is creating unemployment

“Your father is a blacksmith. You go through education through his labour, then you look down on that trade instead of thinking: how do I make it better? How do I improve on this trade?

READ ALSO: Collection Of VAT By FIRS Remains – FG

“History abounds that this small and medium enterprises skills are what made nations great; especially Germany.

Don’t abandon family businesses, don’t abandon community businesses and start looking for white collar jobs. How many white collar jobs do we have?

“The entire workforce in Katsina State, local government, state government and everywhere is not more than a 100,000 and we are consuming in salaries and allowances alone; consuming 5 billion out of those 6 billion at most the state will get.

“How can we progress? Where is the job for everybody? There is opportunity for everybody but there are no jobs for everybody,” Governor Masari said.

Hamza Umar Saulawa, the State Coordinator of the Coalition for Save Katsinsa Group, said the motive of the group which comprises non-governmental organizations in the state, is to assemble all the young minds in the State to forge a great future for the people of the state considering the recent challenges threatening the good legacies the State was known for.

On their expectations at the end of the summit, he said their earnest prayer is to see that the government faithfully implements the recommendations generated from the summit as it will go a long way in reducing to the barest minimum the challenges facing not just the youths but the State as a whole.

Tonto Dike’s Ex-Boyfriend, Kpokpogri Drags Her To Court, Seeks N10 Billion

By
ABN TV EDITOR
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0

Estranged lover of Tonto Dikeh, a controversial Nollywood actress, Prince Joseph Kpokpogri, has dragged the actress and the Department of State Services, DSS before a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the enforcement of his fundamental rights.

In the case dated 20th September, 2021, and filed today with Suit Number FHC/ABJ/CS/1092/2021, Plaintiff prayed the court for a restraining order stopping the DSS from further inviting him.

Prince Kpokpogri also through his Lead Counsel Ovie Justice OJEFIA, Esq. is asking the court for an order directing the Respondents jointly and severally to pay him the sum of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) as compensation for the mental trauma, emotional stress and severe damage caused him due to the invitation extended to him.

Kpokpogri in the suit sought the following reliefs:

“A declaration that the invitation extended to the Applicant through telephone call and a text message on Thursday, 16th September, 2021 by FCT Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) with office at No. 7, Gamal Abdel-Nasser Street, Off Julius Nyerere Crescent, Near Kapital Klub and Apartments, Asokoro, FCT-Abuja being under the supervision and control of the 1st Respondent in connection with an estranged romantic relationship between the Applicant and 2nd Respondent which the 1st Respondent knows is civil in nature contravenes Sections 34, 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Articles 4, 5, 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 which guarantee the Applicant’s fundamental rights to dignity of human person, personal liberty and freedom of movement and same is unwarranted, illegal, unconstitutional, null and void”.

“An order perpetually restraining the 1st Respondent (Director-General of DSS) acting either by himself or through his agents, officers and representatives from further inviting, pestering, harassing and intimidating the Applicant by way of telephone calls, text messages or letters asking the Applicant to report at FCT Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) with office at No. 7, Gamal Abdel-Nasser Street, Off Julius Nyerere Crescent, Near Kapital Klub and Apartments, Asokoro, FCT-Abuja or any other location whether within or outside the Federal Capital Territory Abuja in connection with an estranged romantic relationship between the Applicant and 2nd Respondent which the 1st Respondent knows is civil in nature.

“An order directing the Respondents jointly and severally to pay the Applicant the sum of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) as compensation for the mental trauma, emotional stress and severe damage caused the Applicant due to the invitation extended to him through a telephone call and a text message on Thursday, 16th September, 2021 by FCT Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) with office at No. 7, Gamal Abdel-Nasser Street, Off Julius Nyerere Crescent, Near Kapital Klub and Apartments, Asokoro, FCT-Abuja being under the supervision and control of the 1st Respondent in connection with an estranged romantic relationship between the Applicant and 2nd Respondent which the 1st Respondent knows is civil in nature.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.

In the affidavit in support of the Originating Motion on Notice, Plaintiff deposed that he decided to rushed to court to have his fundamental rights protected because they are being threatened.

He said in the affidavit:

“That I had a romantic relationship with Miss Tonto Dikeh being the 2nd Respondent herein for about three months beginning from 3rd June, 2021 and the relationship ended on or about 19th August, 2021.

”That the 2nd Respondent has continuously issued oral threats against me that she is going to use all her connections and contacts to bring me down to nothing simply because I separated from her.

”That I am aware that the 2nd Respondent engaged certain strange heavily built men with dark shades who started tailing my movement around town shortly after 19th August, 2021 when I ended the romantic relationship with the 2nd Respondent.

”That I thereafter became worried that the 2nd Respondent could execute her threats, considering her wide popularity and connection in the Nigerian film industry.

”That at all times material to our romantic relationship the 2nd Respondent always requested and I allowed her to use my Black Colour Lexus SUV LX570 with Registration Number – ABJ 04 JN and Chasis Number – JTJHY7AZ7H4237876. Copies of vehicle documents are attached as EXHIBIT D.

“That upon my return from a trip to Asaba, Delta State around 20th August, 2021 I discovered that the 2nd Respondent had forcefully taken my said Black Colour Lexus SUV LX570 with Registration Number – ABJ 04 JN and Chasis Number – JTJHY7AZ7H4237876 to her residence being House 3A, No. 2, Ismaila Mamman Close, Katampe Extension, FCT-Abuja. Picture of the vehicle is attached as EXHIBIT E.”

”That all my efforts to recover the said vehicle from the 2nd Respondent proved abortive as she gave a standing instruction to the security men at her residence not to allow me or my driver access to her residence to recover the vehicle.

”That during my birthday celebration which took place on 27th June, 2021 the 2nd Respondent voluntarily gifted me a Toyota Hilux in the presence of other persons without any papers whatsoever to support transfer of ownership from her to me.

”That because the 2nd Respondent failed, refused and or neglected to hand over necessary documents of the Toyota Hilux vehicle to me I requested her to come and take it back before our relationship turned sour but she gave a deaf ear.

“That I eventually handed over the Toyota Hilux vehicle to Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID), Nigeria Police Force with office at Area 10, Garki, FCT-Abuja for onward delivery to the 2nd Respondent. Copy of picture showing the Toyota Hilux vehicle parked at the FCIID is attached as EXHIBIT F.”

”That I was however surprised that one Edwin Esq. of FCT Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) with office at No. 7, Gamal Abdel-Nasser Street, Off Julius Nyerere Crescent, Near Kapital Klub and Apartments, Asokoro, FCT-Abuja being under the supervision and control of the 1st Respondent called me and sent a text message vide telephone number 09052460445 on Thursday, 16th September, 2021 inviting me in connection with my estranged relationship with the 2nd Respondent. Screenshot of the text message is attached as EXHIBIT G.”

“That the 2nd Respondent caused Kanyi Daily to publicise untrue, fictitious and unsubstantiated story on the same Thursday, 16th September, 2021 vide Kanyi Daily against the person of the Applicant with the caption: “Tonto Dikeh’s Ex-lover, Prince Kpokpogri Arrested By DSS Over Blackmail And Extortion”. Copy of the online newspaper publication is attached as EXHIBIT H.

”That I verily believe that the said invitation by the 1st Respondent is likely targeted at violating my fundamental rights to dignity of human person, personal liberty and freedom of movement, hence my filing of this suit.

”That I am aware that men and officers of the 1st Respondent have been on my trail by tracking my telephone lines and would not give me a breathing space to enjoy my fundamental rights guaranteed under the laws as a free citizen of Nigeria.

”That the 2nd Respondent is hell-bent on using men and officers of the 1st Respondent to invite, pester, harass and intimidate me because she is a popular film actress and social media influencer with lots of connections, contacts and followership within and outside Nigeria.

”That it is based on this that I have come before this Honourable Court to seek reprieve, refuge and enforcement of my fundamental rights.

”That this Honourable Court is the last hope of the common man, hence the need for it to compel the 2nd Respondent to tender an unreserved apology to me whilst awarding compensation in the sum of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) in my favour for the mental trauma, emotional stress and severe damage I have suffered as a result of the issues giving rise to this suit.

”That I verily believe that the Respondents herein will not stop conniving to put me in harm’s way through unwarranted, illegal and unconstitutional arrest and detention unless they are restrained by this Honourable Court”.

Collection Of VAT By FIRS Remains – FG

By
Munachi
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0

Federal Government says the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) will continue to collect Value Added Tax (VAT) following the ruling of the Court of Appeal on the matter.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York while speaking on the disagreement over the collection of VAT between FIRS and Rivers Government.

The chief law officer of the federation explained that the ruling of the Court of Appeal that FIRS and the Rivers Government maintain status quo favoured FIRS.

He said that it was Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) that had been collecting the VAT before the dispute arose, over which the Rivers government approached the High Court.

“The position of not only the Federal Government but indeed the judiciary is the fact that status quo associated with the collecting of VAT should be maintained,” Malami said.

“And as far as the judicial system is concerned, the status quo as at the time the parties approached the court, it was the Federal Inland Revenue Service that was indeed collecting the value-added tax.

“So with that in mind, the Federal Government has succeeded in obtaining an order that establishes the sustenance of the status quo, which status quo is that the Federal Inland Revenue Service should continue collection.

“This is pending the determination of the cases that were instituted by states, particularly the Rivers State Government and the Lagos State government. The cases are being determined by the court.”

READ ALSO: After Rescheduling Flight 4 Times, Azman Airline Staff Flee Duty Post, Leave NASS Members Stranded At Kano [PHOTOS]

NAN reports that the Rivers government had urged the Supreme Court to set aside the Court of Appeal’s Sept. 10 ruling ordering it and FIRS to maintain the status quo on the issue of VAT collection.

A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal headed by Haruna Tsammani issued the order being challenged at the Supreme Court by the Rivers government.

The state also urged the apex court to disband the panel of the appellate court, which gave the interim order and ordered another one to be constituted to hear the case.

“But one thing of interest is the fact that the Federal Government had indeed taken cognizance of the fact that where there exists a dispute between a State and Federal Government, it is the Supreme Court that should naturally have the jurisdiction to determine the dispute between the state and the federation.

“And we are taking steps to consider the possibility of instituting an action before the Supreme Court for the purpose of having this matter determined once and for all,’’ Malami said.

After Rescheduling Flight 4 Times, Azman Airline Staff Flee Duty Post, Leave NASS Members Stranded At Kano [PHOTOS]

By
ABN TV EDITOR
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0

Staff of Azman Airline on Wednesday abandoned their duty post, leaving members of the House of Representatives in the National Assembly stranded at the Kano International Airport for several hours after their flight was rescheduled for four times.

After Rescheduling Flight 4 Times, Azman Airline Staff Flee Duty Post, Leave NASS Members Stranded At Kano [PHOTOS]

The lawmakers boarded Azman Airline for an official assignment with House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and waited for hours unattended to for a flight that was scheduled to take off at 12:30pm but was shifted to 2:30pm and then to 6pm and was moved to 9:45am and again moved to 12:15pm.

As at the time of filing this report, no official of the airline was on the ground to address passengers.

Speaking to newsmen on the matter, the Reps Spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Kalu expressed worry that airline operators especially Azman Airlines have resolved to treat Nigerians without respect which is against the consumer protection law of the country where if a passenger is delayed for two hours, the operators should reach out to their passengers.

He said: “It is important the people we represent know where we are and the National Assembly knows we are still stranded here and as we speak to you nobody is at the counter to address us, not even the manager.”

Representative Kalu who spoke on behalf of the lawmakers expressed concern that this is what the ordinary Nigerians pass through on a daily basis while travelling.

He said, “We just came out to see the manager, and other members are still inside.”

Another passenger Abdullahi Alhassan Bashir and his wife were also captured waiting endlessly without being attended to.

Other lawmakers who identified themselves include; Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye, Hon. Henry Archibong, Hon. Gboluga Tinboju, among others

He said “In the hall, alot of Nigerians were left stranded, there are other Nigerians who are stranded and we are witnessing this firsthand and we are feeling it. Some of the citizens abandoned here.

“We are raising this call for common Nigerians, sometimes when citizens bring their complaints it appears as if they fabricated it.

“But this one we are involved and we are seeing this for ourselves,” the House spokesman noted.

According to him, the lawmakers after leaving the airport for the airline’s office did not see any of the officials that could address them.

“We don’t know when we are leaving here and we have shown interest to find out from the Ministry of Aviation and Consumer Protection Council what is happening to the Aviation sector as soon as we return,” he said.

Nigerian Government May File Fresh Charges Against Sunday Igboho – Malami

By
ABN TV EDITOR
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0

The Nigerian Government may file fresh charges against Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo (also known as Sunday Igboho), following the judgment of Oyo State High Court which awarded N20 billion in damages in his favour.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, told NAN in New York that the Federal Government may file fresh charges against the agitator.

The judge, Ladiran Akintola, had awarded the money as “an exemplary and aggravated damages” against the AGF and the Department of State Services, over the invasion of Igboho’s home in Ibadan on July 1.

However, Malami said the position of the Federal Government on the judgment was about “law and jurisdiction”.

“As far as this matter is concerned, which court is it that has the jurisdiction to determine it? And as you rightly know, obedient to court orders and court judgments,” he said.

“But then you have to understand within the context of such obedience that there are associated rights and interests that are vested in the Federal Government.

“Inclusive of rights of appealing against a judgment, inclusive of right to file an application for setting aside the purported judgment and order. And indeed, inclusive of the possibility of filling a fresh action if indeed the jurisdiction of the court that was alleged to have indeed handed that judgment is an issue.

“So, we are doing the needful in terms of looking at the law as it exists and then working within the context of the law in ensuring that justice is done as far as the contending issues between the parties are concerned,” the minister was quoted as saying.

The court had awarded N20 billion against DSS for the “illegal” invasion of Igboo’s home in Ibadan on July 1.

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