Blog

Guilty

By Vivian Ibobo

Ikeja, Sept. 21, 2018 (NAN) A 25-year-old man, Olusamuel Aremo, was on Friday remanded in Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos, after he pleaded guilty to stealing two phones valued at N263, 000.

An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos which gave the ruling, said he should be kept behind bars pending sentence.

Aremo, whose address was not provided, was docked for stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp. Akhaluode Mathew, told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 24, at a shop located at No 43, Adisa Coker St., Obawole, Lagos.

He said that the accused stole Nokia 7 plus phone valued N143,000 and Samsung Galaxy A5 also valued at N120,000 belonging to the complainant, Mr Mosindi John.

“Aremo entered the complainant’s shop under the pretext of buying Indomie and egg, but stole phones.”

The offence contravened Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the section stipulates a three year jail term for offenders.

The Magistrate, Mrs A. A. Adetunji, fixed Sept. 28 for sentence. (NAN)
IZU/MO/SOA

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Edited by Omolade Michael/Oluwole Sogunle

Flood

By Uwumarogie Peter

Gombe, Sept. 21, 2018 (NAN) The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), has advised Nigerians against indiscriminate dumping of wastes in drainage and waterways.

Mr Abdussalam Isa, North-East Zonal Director of NESREA, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Friday.

He said the advice became necessary sequel to flooding in some parts of Gombe state and other states in the country.

NAN reports that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has put 12 states on danger list with measures to mitigate the menace as well as advised residents of such states to relocate to safer areas.

The states are: Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Benue, Adamawa, Taraba, Rivers and Bayelsa.

Isa said Nigerians must be proactive to environmental issues to avoid the human factors that could lead to flooding.

According to him, raining season remains a challenge to Nigerians in view of the rising volume of water that always occur during the period.

He said that proper disposal of wastes such as pet waste and polythene bags would mitigate flooding; adding that when disposed improperly, they could become a significant source of environmental hazard.

“We know the factors that lead to flooding. One of them is the human factor. How and where we dispose our waste matter a lot.

“We must learn to properly tie up our wastes and put them at designated points for collection. If this is not done, it can portend grave danger to our environment.

“The era of dumping wastes in drains should be jettisoned because it can result to a significant source of environment hazard. Nature has a way of blessing human if we take care of it.

“ Drains and waterways built by government are made to collect water and channel them to nearby rivers or other sources so as not to endanger human lives and activities.

“We have to learn to dispose our wastes properly, no matter how small.

“We must also strive to care for our environment if we hope to mitigate the incidences of flooding in our environment,’’ he said.

He further urged Nigerians to be vigilant and not take the flood alerts by relevant agencies with levity to avert dire consequences.

Isa commended the Federal Government for responding, in time, to inform Nigerians about flood as well as its preparedness to mitigate the menace.

“I commend the Federal Government for taking urgent steps in alerting Nigerians in time by declaring a ‘national disaster’ in some parts of the country, following high level of flooding in some states.’’

He also commended Gombe state government for constructing more drainage to reduce impact of flooding.

Isa said NESREA had commenced sensitisation of people to enlighten them on the need to avoid human activities that could lead to flooding. (NAN)

UP/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

You must face trial for alleged N1.7bn theft, Judge tells FirstNation MD

By Moji Eniola

Ikeja, Sept. 21, 2018 (NAN) Justice Mojisola Dada of the Ikeja Special Offences Court has ordered that Kayode Odukoya must face trial over an alleged N1.7 billion theft charge proffered against him by the EFCC.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Odukoya is the Managing Director of First Nation Airways, whose operating licence has currently been suspended by the aviation authorities.

Dada in a ruling on Friday dismissed a preliminary objection dated April 30, filed by Odukoya’s defence team seeking to quash the charges.

“The totality of the preliminary objection fails and is hereby dismissed.

“The proper parties are before the court and the application is a time wasting device. I so hold,” Dada ruled.

Following the ruling, Mrs Zainab Ettu, the Prosecuting Counsel for the EFCC informed the court that nine prosecuting witnesses were to testify against the airline boss.

“We will be asking the court for trial dates,” Ettu said.

Dada fixed Nov. 7, Nov. 8 and Nov. 9 for Odukoya’s trial.

On June 29, Odukoya’s Defence Counsel, Mr Olawale Akoni (SAN), had via a preliminary objection, prayed for an order of the court striking out the charge.

The application, supported by an 11-paragraph affidavit had sought an order quashing or striking out the charges filed by the EFCC, dated Dec. 11, 2017 for want of jurisdiction.

The defendants in the application said the EFCC charge contravened the provisions of Sections 249, 252 and 77 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), No. 10 of 2011.

According to the defence: Section 249 of the ACJL stipulates that prosecutorial authority before the High Court of Lagos State shall be exercised only in the name of `the state of Lagos.’

“The information/charge No. ID/239C/2012 filed against the applicants does not comply with Section 249 of the ACJL as stated above.”

Opposing the application however, the EFCC in an 18-paragraph affidavit, dated June 19, argued that the EFCC did not require a fiat from the attorney-general of Lagos State to prosecute the matter.

The anti-graft agency urged the court to dismiss Odukoya’s application on the ground that it lacked merit and was an abuse of process of court.

The EFCC is prosecuting Odukoya alongside First Nation Airways and Bellview Airlines on a four-count charge bordering on forgery, use of false document, perjury and stealing.

Odukoya allegedly committed the offences of forgery, use of false document and perjury on March 21, 2013.

The EFCC alleged that the defendant forged the memorandum of Loss of Lagos State certificate of occupancy registered as No. 33 at page 33, Volume 1011 at the Lagos State Land Registry in Alausa, in order for the document to be acted upon as genuine.

The forged document was in respect of a property located at No. 29, Oduduwa St., GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

Odukoya is alleged by the EFCC to have used the false document, and that he also gave false information on oath, concerning the loss of the certificate of occupancy at the Lagos State land registry.

The anti-graft agency also alleged that on Oct. 7, 2016, Odukoya stole and dishonestly converted to his own use N1.7 billion, belonging to Skye Bank.

The offences violate Sections 85, 86(1) 278(1) (b), 285, 361(1), (a) (b), 363 and 364(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. (NAN)

MAE/SN
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Edited by Silas Nwoha

FG urges inter-agency collaboration to explore geothermal energy resource

Energy
Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Abuja, Sept. 21, 2018 (NAN) The Federal Government has urged the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and Nigerian Mining Geoscience Society (NMGS) to collaborate in the area of geothermal energy resource to boost power generation in the country.
Mr Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) gave the advice during his address at the `2018 NMGS-NGSA Discourse Series’ in Abuja.
The discourse series with the theme: “Geothermal Energy Resources of Nigeria; An untapped Potential for Socio-Economic Development,” attracted relevant stakeholders from the mining and energy sectors.
Mustapha, who was represented at the event by Mr Olusegun Adekunle, the Permanent Secretary, General Service Office of the SGF, said Nigeria stands to gain in tapping from geothermal energy that have not been exploited.
“Nigeria and African in general have continued to experience energy shortage and thus find it difficult to achieve their desired energy desire to enhance development.
“This government came to power when Nigeria was managing 2,900 megawatts of electricity; this was considered unacceptable and thus the need for increment became necessary.
“Presently, records have shown that power generation in the country is over 7,000 megawatts and distribution is over 5,000 megawatts.
“However, the Federal Government has decided to tackle the energy through the Economic Recovery Growth Plan 2017-2020; there are other sources of energy in the country like solar energy, water, hydro, geothermal, etc.
“Thus, the Federal Government is encouraging partnership and collaboration between NGSA, NMGS and other relevant stakeholders to explore geothermal energy to put Nigeria in global map, which can also promote tourism, Mustapha said.
The SGF stressed that countries like Kenya and Botswana have gone far in geothermal energy, adding that Nigeria has the potential to do better.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said the occasion was an opportunity for engineers and scientists to come together and talk about power.
Garba, however, said that there was need to explore the conventional sources of energy before considering the alternatives.
He said that if Kenya and Botswana could generate geothermal energy, Nigeria can do better.
In his good will message, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said that with geoscience, information were available to address power shortage.
Mohammed, who was represented by Mr Timothy Oyedeke, a director in the ministry, said power was key to development, job creation and improved standard of living.
“As government, we support the exploration of geothermal energy: Kenya and Botswana have gone far in this type of energy.
“However, the Information Ministry is willing to use its platforms like National Orientation Agency, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and others to sensitise Nigerians to geothermal energy sources in Nigeria,’’ Mohammed said.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that presents at the event were officials from the ministry of environment, National Hydrological Agency, Solid Mineral Development Fund, National Water Resource Institute, Women in Mining and many others. (NAN)
CMY/AFA
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Edited by Felix Ajide

Flooding: APC UK expresses readiness to assist victims

By Emmanuel Mogbede
Flooding
Abuja,Sept. 21, 2018 (NAN) The United Kingdom chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says it is ready to give some form of assistance to victims of recent flooding that occurred in some states of the federation.

Mr Jacob Ogunseye, the chapter’s acting Publicity Secretary made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

According to him, the decision to offer help to the flood victims was taken at a strategic meeting of the chapter.

He condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari and the entire nation over the loss of lives and property following the flooding caused by rains that resulted to Rivers Niger and Benue to overflow.

He also commended President Buhari for declaring a state of emergency in affected states by releasing #3 billion naira to help victims, noting that the vast areas affected were farmlands and residential communities.

NAN reports that Niger, Kogi, Anambra, and Delta states had been declared as ‘National Disasters’ by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Taraba Adamawa, Kebbi, Edo, Rivers, Benue, Bayelsa and Kwara states were also being monitored carefully by NEMA.

The statement quoted Mr Ade Omole, the chapter’s leader as saying “we will be ready to deploy an up-to-date technology hardware and software in preventing and controlling floods in Nigeria if given the opportunity.

“We will do all within our abilities to ensure that adequate technology is deployed to forewarn likely or future occurrence of down pour in these areas to ensure safety of lives of property.

Omole noted that while homes had been destroyed and farmlands washed away, there was need to cooperate with governments to address the situation, adding that these were indeed trying periods.

He, therefore, called on well meaning Nigerians and organisations across the country and the world to rise up at this challenging moment to help the flood victims.

“Our show of unity is now; we should all set aside our political affiliation and come together as a united country to ensure that victims are not abandoned to suffer the effect of the current disaster.

“We should help in any way in ensuring that affected persons get needed assistance, especially medical, housing and clean water, Omole said.

NAN reports that the Ecological Fund Office had, however, embarked on the inauguration of about 70 ecological intervention projects in flood prone communities across the country`s six geo-political zones.

The interventions by the Ecological Fund Office in affected communities was to solve problems that had given concern to citizens whose means of livelihood and properties were being threatened by desertification, flooding and disastrous gully erosion.

Vice President Yeti Osinbajo’s had since visited some affected flood communities in Anambra and Delta states to sympathise with victims.(NAN)
EEM/AFA
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Edited by Felix Ajide

Cholera

By Mohammed Mamman

Damaturu, Sept.21, 2018 (NAN) Yobe government on Friday confirmed 906 fresh cases of cholera with 61 deaths and 50 others still on admission in hospitals across the state.

Dr Muhammad Kawuwa, the Commissioner for Health, stated this in a statement in Damaturu on Friday.

He said Acute Water Diarrhea (AWD) cases were reported in some parts of the state and later confirmed to be cholera after laboratory tests.

“Some of the AWD cases were caused by Vibrio bacterae, the bacteria that cause cholera,“ the commissioner said.

According to him, 906 cases are recorded in six local government areas of the state: Gujba, Gulani, Damaturu, Fune, Potiskum and Nangere in two months.

“Over 795 patients were successfully treated and discharged, 50 are still on admission in various health facilities across the state.

“Unfortunately, we lost 61 patients mainly due to delays in timely reporting to the healthcare facilities for life saving treatment.”

Kawuwa said the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation (WHO), University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Abuja were authenticating the causes of the outbreak.

“In the light of this and due to our continued concern for the health of our people, the state government is therefore declaring outbreak cholera in the state.”

He said this was necessary to scale up  response with the support of the  international partners,

The commissioner identified personal hygiene, absence of sanitation facilities in the communities and flooding of water sources by the rains as possible causes of the outbreak.

He called on Water, Sanitation and Health sector partners, religious and traditional leaders and the people to cooperate and support government efforts in containing the outbreak and the check spread.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yobe government had three months ago declared over, an earlier cholera outbreak in five local government areas of the state.

The local government areas are: Bade, Karasuwa, Jakusko, Yusufari and Bursari over after 21 days without a report of any new case.

The commissioner said the initial outbreak recorded 16 deaths, in  404 cases with Bade Local Government having 379 cases, Karasuwa 16, Jakusko, four, Yusufari three and Bursari, two.(NAN)

MM/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

Re-elected Pinnick promises greater focus on youth programs, says football’s winner

Youth

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) Amaju Pinnick, the re-elected President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) , on Thursday promised to focus more on youth programmes, adding that football was the winner at the end of the polls in Katsina.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the polls was conducted by the NFF Electoral Committee put in place by the NFF Congress at last year’s General Assembly in Jos, Plateau on Oct. 19, 2017.

Pinnick swept aside three other contestants, polling 34 votes to second –placed Aminu Maigari’s 8, with former international Taiwo Ogunjobi getting only 2 votes, while there was none for club owner Chinedu Okoye.

A statement by Ademola Olajire, the NFF’s Director of Communication, said Pinnick pledged to focus even harder on youth development programmes in his second tenure, 

Pinnick, who is also the 1^st Vice President of the Confederation of African Football, was also quoted as saying that there was no victor and no vanquished in the race as football remained the ultimate winner.

It is said, in his acceptance speech, Pinnick specifically thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo andthe Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha.

Pinnick also thanked the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Chief of Staff to the President, the Director- General, Department of State Services and the Inspector General of Police for their tremendous support for the board.

 “We respectfully ask for more support as we start a new tenure, during which we aim to consolidate on our vision of building a sustainable football culture for our dear country, and continue the great march toward ensuring financial independence for the NFF.

 “We owe this country a lot, and we are committed to working hard to give back so much to it. 

“We intend to set up a reconciliation team in a few days to reach out to aggrieved members of the football family with a view to bringing everyone under one umbrella for the purpose of a united front in the pursuit of the greater good for Nigerian Football,” he said.

 The NFF supremo also thanked the Governors of Delta and Edo States for their understanding and support, as well as players and officials of the various National Teams for their efforts at doing Nigeria proud at all times.

 A festival atmosphere reigned in the ‘Home of Hospitality’ as the full machinery of government was in motion to watch over the big occasion of the NFF 2018 Elective Congress, alongside the presence of observers from world football –governing body, FIFA and the Confederation of African Football.

 At the opening ceremony, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State poured encomiums on the NFF administration led by Pinnick for its major strides over the past four years, 

He noted that trophies won in the FIFA Under 17 World Cup, Women Africa Cup of Nations, the U23 and U20 Africa Cup of Nations, Olympic football bronze and the recent WAFU U17 Cup triumph in Niger Republic. 

He praised the aggressive marketing drive of the administration that had galvanized a steady move toward financial independence, while pledging that the Government of Katsina State would continue to invest in football development because of the game’s virtues of youth empowerment and meaningful engagement.

 Governor Masari was accompanied to the event by top officials of the Katsina State Government, including the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ahmed El-Marzuq, the Chief Judge of Katsina State, Justice Musa Abubakar, the Commissioner for Sports, Abu Dankun and the Grand Khadi of the state, Hafiz Bakori. 

NAN also reports that Pinnick became the first man since Father Dennis Slattery (of blessed memory) in 1957 to be elected back-to-back to one of the hottest seats in world football.

 Second –placed Maigari, the immediate past occupier of the office, warmly embraced Pinnick after the vote, saying: “The vote has come and gone, and football is the winner. The focus is football development. 

“I bear no grudge and I must say that I am indeed delighted by the strides that Amaju Pinnick has taken since taking over from me four years ago. He is like a son and I am proud of him,” he was quoted as saying.

 Incumbent Seyi Akinwunmi was even more emphatic in retaining his seat, bagging 41 of the votes to challenger Sunday Dele-Ajayi’s 2, while one vote was deemed invalid.

 In other votes, incumbent Ibrahim Musa Gusau retained his seat as Chairman of Chairmen on the Board, polling 42 of 44 votes, following the withdrawal of Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah on the floor of the election.

 Ahmed Yusuf Fresh and Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande retained their seats on the board, after a nerve –jangling contest that went to three rounds. 

Chairman of Kwara State Football Association, Busari Ishola was eliminated in the first round after polling only 10 votes, leaving Yusuf and Fresh to vie in the second. 

Fresh edged it 22-21, and Ishola was then re-instated to challenge Yahaya-Kwande for the remaining slot from North Central. In the event, Yahaya-Kwande won by 28 votes to 14.

 Emmanuel Ibah defeated Oswald Atuake 28 votes to 15 to win the remaining slot from the South South (following Pinnick’s re-election), while Ganiyu Majekodunmi and Sharif Rabiu Inuwa were unopposed for the South -West and North -West slots.

 Three candidates slugged it out in the South-East, with Enyimba FC chairman Felix Anyansi-Agwu winning the lone slot available (as Chidi Ofo Okenwa still has a seat as Chairman of the Nigeria National League). 

Anyansi-Agwu polled 32 votes, to nearest challenger Emmanuel Ochiagha’s eight.

Jude Obikwelu and Pastor Emeka Inyama, who withdrew from the contest on the floor of the election, still got two votes and one vote respectfully.

 FIFA observers Luca Piazza and Solomon Mudege, and CAF observer Sita Sangare witnessed both the opening ceremony and the entire Elective Congress proper.

 Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Barrister Muhammed Sani Katu, afterward swore in the new Board.

Next up for Pinnick is his formal inauguration as the 1^st Vice President of CAF, at the body’s Extraordinary General Assembly in Egypt on Sept. 30.

NEW NFF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Amaju Pinnick – President

Seyi Akinwnumi – 1^st Vice President

Shehu Dikko – 2^nd Vice President

Ibrahim Musa Gusau – Member

Ahmed Yusuf Fresh – Member

Felix Anyansi-Agwu – Member

Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande – Member

Babagana Kalli – Member

Sharif Rabiu Inuwa – Member

Chidi Ofo Okenwa – Member

Aisha Falode – Member

Mohammed Alkali – Member

Musa Duhu – Member

Ganiyu Majekodunmi – Member

Emmanuel Ibah – Member

Mohammed Sanusi – Secretary. (NAN)

Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, former Edo governor, Mr Timipre Sylva, Ahmad Sani Yerima, Ken Nnamani, Sharon Ikeazor, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, and Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora are among heads of the committees which were inaugurated on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 15 APC State Governors seeking re-election in 2019 were drilled by the APC Screening committee ahead of its party primaries.

Infantino congratulates Pinnick on re-election as NFF President

Infantino

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) Gianni Infantino, President of World Football ruling body, FIFA has sent a congratulatory message to Amaju Pinnick on his re-election as the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the polls conducted by the NFF Electoral Committee in Katsina, Pinnick swept aside three other contestants, polling 34 votes.

The second –placed Aminu Maigari’s get eight votes, with former international, Taiwo Ogunjobi getting only 2 votes, while there was none for club owner Chinedu Okoye.

In the letter addressed to the NFF and copied to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Infantino congratulated Pinnick and the other executive members who were elected and wished them the best of luck for the challenges ahead.

“Dear Pinnick, allow me to extend to you my warmest congratulations on your re-election as President of the NFF for the 2018 – 2022 period, at today’s NFF Elective Congress in Katsina State.

“Also convey my congratulations to all your colleagues of the Executive Committee who were elected with you.

“I wish you and your team the best of luck, strength and every success for all the challenges that lie ahead.

“I look forward to continuing to work with you and seeing you soon to congratulate you in person,” Infantino said. (NAN)

VO/DE/AFA

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Felix Ajide

Port
By Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni/Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has stressed the need to set bench marks for efficiency, appropriate pricing and enforce it to avoid discriminatory tariff for services in port.

Mr Hassan Bello, the Executive Secretary of NSC gave the advice while delivering a paper on “Economic Regulation:the Panacea to the Challenges of Marine Transportation” at the Abuja Transport and Aviation Correspondence (ATACA) seminar held in Abuja.

He said that lack of regulation gives room for unwholesome self assertion, cartelization, arbitrariness, profiteering and exploitation.

According to him, economic regulation is an intervention by government to influence market behaviour of individuals and organisations in the private and public sector.

“Regulation also focuses on the key issues of pricing quality service and competition in the Marine transport subsector, the major items considered in port pricing are; cargo handling, cost of handling cargo must be tied to service.

“Cargo must move through port with less friction at a price, speed and quality that meets international best practices.

“Port dues and charges, excessive, high or discriminatory tariff for services must be avoided.

“ Port prices for dues and handling charges can make or break a port. The right prices can lead a port to prosperity and growth while wrong ones can guide it to inefficiency or even extinction,” he said.

Bello, however said that negative effects such as predatory pricing and price discrimination will be put under check through proper regulation.

He said that the mandates of NSC as port regulator is to provide guidelines on tariffs in order to guard against arbitrariness, reduce high cost of doing business and prevent inflationary effect on the economy.

He said that lack of a clearer and well defined regulatory framework and absence of a permanent economic regulator has significantly impacted negatively on port traffic especially port costs.

The NSC boss said the council has intervened in the reduction of container clearing fee from ₦2,500 per container to ₦1,500 with increase in free storage period from three days to seven days.

Bello said the council intends to deploy appropriate regulatory practices to sanitise the industry with a view to make the Nigerian ports attain enviable hub status for West and Central Africa.

Bello said all stakeholders in the maritime sector will have to get involved in the review of port concession for effective interconnectivity in Hinterland. (NAN)
TY/OYS/AFA
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Edited by Felix Ajide