PRESS RELEASE

UPDATE ON PLATEAU POLYTECHNIC PROTESTS; PLATEAU GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS KILLING OF STUDENT, ORDERS INVESTIGATION 

Recall that the Plateau State Government issued a Press Statement on Monday 20th September 2021 to throw more light on the protests by students of the Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin Ladi who blocked the main highway into the State from both the main campus and the Jos campus respectively. 

In the statement, background was given as to the reasons for the student protests which were triggered by an Industrial Action by the Polytechnic's unions to press home their demands despite the fact that exams were slated to start same day (20th September 2021). 

As at the time the last Press statement was issued which was shortly after the Deputy Governor Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden met with the unions, school management and student union representatives to resolve the matter, there was no reported death as a result of the protests, apart from some students that were injured and taken to hospital for treatment. 

However, the Government has today regretably received the sad news from the Police of the death of one of the students who was said to have been hit by a stray bullet and taken to hospital for treatment but could not survive. 

This is a very sad development which the Government totally condemns and has therefore directed an immediate and thorough investigation to be conducted into the circumstances leading to the death of the student. 

While commiserating with the family of the deceased student, the Government assures that it will not spare anyone found culpable in the death of the student as it is determined to ensure that justice is done. 

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor has directed a Government delegation to visit the family of the deceased student to sympathise with them over the sad and unfortunate situation. 

Hon. Dan Manjang 

Commissioner for Information and Communication, Plateau State.

21st September 2021.

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NORTHERN GOVERNORS FORUM MORN THE DEATH OF OBADIAH MAILAFIYA.

The northern Governors Forum has described the death of former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Obadiah Mailafiya as a great loss to the nation as well as the entire  Northern region. 

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong said the death of Dr. Mailafiya is a sad development not only to his family, but to the nation because of his enormous contributions to the socio-economic pursuits of Nigeria. 

Lalong described the late CBN Deputy Governor as a consummate financial expert and vibrant intellectual whose local and international reputation is highly acknowledged, having been sought and deployed for the benefit of Government and private entities around the world. 

While commiserating with the family, Lalong said the legacies of Dr. Mailafiya will continue to be celebrated as he showed passion for development, emancipation, truth, justice and equity in all his interventions at various platforms. 

He said such aspirations for a better Nigeria and the upliftment of the downtrodden motivated him to vie for the office of the President in 2019 which afforded him the opportunity to expouse his vision for a better Nigeria. 

Lalong extends the Forum's sympathies to Governor Nasir el-Rufai, the Government and people of Kaduna State. 

Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. 

20th September 2021

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PRESS RELEASE

 

 *RE: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS DEMAND IMMEDIATE SANCTION ON TRIGGER HAPPY SOLDIERS OR FACE THE WRATH OF NIGERIA STUDENTS* 

The Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN has noted a statement signed and released by Activist Sunday A Asuku the National President, National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) Plateau State condemning the Nigerian Army. The statement alleged that trigger happy personnel of the Nigerian Army under Operation SAFE HAVEN invaded their campus and unleashed terror on peaceful protesters, leaving one dead and so many hospitalized.

The allegation levelled against troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN is baseless, false and unfounded.  No personnel serving in Operation SAFE HAVEN fired at any protesting student. Security agencies professionally dispersed the protesting students who barricaded the major road linking Jos Metropolis with other states causing traffic jam to commuters.  Therefore, citizens are enjoined to disregard the statement issued by the student leader in its entirety.

Operation SAFE HAVEN wishes to also draw the attention of the students and indeed members of the public on the ban of any kind of protest by group or persons in the state by the Nigeria Police while the curfew imposed by the Plateau state government is still enforced. Therefore, the protest by the students was unnecessary. It should be noted that hoodlums would have infiltrated the protest and cause mayhem that would have disrupted the fragile peace on the plateau, but the timely intervention of the security agencies averted the ugly situation. Normalcy has since been restored and people are going about doing their normal activities.

Security agencies on the plateau will continue to ensure peace reigns on the plateau. We reiterate that personnel of OPSH deployed on the Plateau will continue to conduct themselves in the most professional manner in line with global best practices of respect for the fundamental human rights of the citizenry and strict adherence to Rules of Engagement (ROE). The people including the students are the major reason the troops are deployed in the first place. The Commander Maj Gen IS Ali also emphasizes to troops that the protection of the people from harm is a top priority while calling on the students to always abide by the laws of the land.

 *ISHAKU TAKWA* 

Major

Military Information Officer

20 September 2021

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PRESS RELEASE BY THE PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT.

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE IMBROGLIO AT THE PLATEAU STATE POLYTECHNIC

Plateau State woke up to a mild drama that saw the staging of agitation by students over the refusal to conduct examination by the academic staff as a result of a strike to drive home labour demands. As a result, activities at the institution were disrupted.

This resulted into the blocking of the highway by students resulting in disruption of traffic along the ever-busy road.

When security personnel moved in to persuade the students to vacate the road and restore normalcy, a clash ensued between the students and security personnel.

Contrary to news making the rounds in the social media, no casualty has been recorded. However, some students sustained injuries and have been taken to the hospital and are responding to treatment.

At a meeting with labour leaders of the Polytechnic, Executives of the Student Union Government of the Institution, Management of the School and Government officials, led by His Excellency the Deputy Governor, Professor Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, it was resolved that the lecturers should allow academic activities to continue while negotiations go on between the aggrieved unions and Government over the said demands.

The implication of this is that students will continue with their examinations according to plan.

While Government recognizes the right of both students and staff to press home their demands, it enjoins all and sundry to do so with all civility and in  accordance to the rule of law.

Plateau State belongs to all citizens and as such the agitation for one's right should not deny the rights of others. Therefore all 

must strive not to rupture the peaceful coexistence which has been built over the years, particularly in the face of recent developments. 

ALWAYS THINK AND ACT PLATEAU.

Dan Manjang,

Honourable Commissioner of Information and Communication,

Plateau State.

Monday, September 20, 2021.

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7 injured as Plateau state polytechnic students protest postponement of semester examination

By Golok Nanmwa ,Jos 

About seven  persons have been feared injured as  Students of Plateau State Polytechnic on Monday staged a  protest over the postponement of their semester examinations by the school authorities.

Our correspondent who gathered that the protest which was meant to be peaceful was highjacked by hoodlums as few cars had their windscreens destroyed . 

As early as 8 am in the morning the students trooped out in large numbers and blocked the Yakubu Gowon way, a major highway leading into and out of Jos.

Our correspondent gathered that the postponement of the examination was as a result of an indefinite strike embarked upon by the lecturers of the institution as the lecturers had issued a notice of strike to the government over they called its inability to meet their demands of earned allowances and other sundry issues.

Speaking to our correspondent  Mr Tindak Teophilius a student of the Plateau Polytechnic said about 7 of their students are currently receiving treatment in a hospital in Jos he said some of them were Asthmatic patients who could not stand the teargas  fired to disperse the students .

 He described the decision of the management to postpone the examination as an attempt to truncate their academic journey.

“We came to school this morning to start our examinations only to see a circular that our lecturers have been on strike since Friday.

“We were not informed; nobody said anything to us we just discovered that we cannot start our examinations.

“This is why students were  protesting .

“We have spent over three years in just one semester owing to Covid-19 lockdown, but largely due to the various strikes embarked upon by our lecturers.

“We keep paying for our accommodation, school fees, and other expenses. More so, we are getting old and by the time we graduate, we can’t find jobs of because of age,” John lamented.

Another student, Pam Bulus  decried the incessant strike by their lecturers, adding that the development has stagnated their academic progression.

“Nobody has come to address us on the issue and we feel this is not right.“We demand a proper explanation from the management on why we cannot start our examinations today.“We are tired of this back and forth; our academic journey is suffering and this is not good for us,” he decried.

Efforts to reach Mr John Ramadan of the Public Relations Department of the institution at the time of sending this report was abortive .

It could be recalled that the Plateau state government recently said that the  ban on  public procession by whatever guise and name is still in force particularly at this time that the State is still nursing its wounds from the recent attacks that affected some parts of the State.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Dan Manjang who gave this hint in Jos recently  said while Plateau state Government acknowledges and respects the right of citizens to peaceful protest and advised Parents to rein in their wards and continue to support the Government in working for the restoration of total normalcy to the state

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Breaking; students of Plateau State Polytechnic stage protest blocking major State road.

20th September, 2021.

Following the declaration of strike action by the Joint Union of Academic Staff of Plateau State owned tetiary institutions, which the Union said would commence on the 17th of September, 2021 through thier State chairman Comrade Lumye Innocent Simji.

Students of the Plateau State Polytechnic on Monday 20th September,2021 whom are supposed to be writing there semester exams woke up to the reality of the strike action as their school gates were completely barricaded. This in turn angered the students who took to the streets on protest.

The provoked students blocked the major road leading from the state secetariate junction down to old airport junction causing serious traffic and hardship on motorist who had to manuvier in difficulty for alternative routes.

The union are having three major demands which are the issues of a) Salary consolidation through minimum wage implementation b) Deduction of remittance from cooperative c) State Health contributory scheme deduction by the agency.

Meanwhile government has been in negotiations with the union leaders, with further details coming soon.

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Plateau LG polls - Gotip Jan Henry the dependable choice for Kanke LGA.

20th September, 2021.

By Pwol Benjamin Dature.

A youthful pioneer full of energetic drive to work for the development and unity of Kanke local government area.

HON. Henry Gotip has examplified himself even in his cosmopolitan interactions as a man of peace, dignity, industrious and trustworthy.This has paved way into the hearts of many irrespective of age, gender, religion and ethnicity within and outside his locality.

MU KANG'KE the slogan of his campaign which entails unity in the presence of diversity is one of his approach to development.

A different breed of youthful leadership with an enthusiastic drive to unite Kanke Local government area.

As the elections approach come 9th of October, 2021.The aged, women, youths and the entire electorate have directed their compasses on the futuristic leadership candidature of HON. Gotip Jan Henry.

MU KANG'KE 21'

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Plateau LG polls - Langtang North Youths drum support for Barr Bitrus Zulfa Rimven.

By Golok Nanmwa ,Jos 

Ahead of the October  9, 2021  Local Government elections in  Plateau state, Youths of several communities in Langtang North Local Government of the state  have embarked on massive mobilization in support of Barr.  Bitrus Zulfa Rimven the All Progressive Congress APC  Chairmanship candidate in readiness for the polls .

Coordinator of the group who spoke to newsmen in Jos on Monday , Hon Nanchang Paul said that Hon Zulfa has all it takes to take Langtang North forward  and called on all members of the APC in the council to rally support for the former Commissioner for Housing .

"We would stand with Zulfa ,he is the best man for the Job , he is a good man and nothing would stop us from voting massively for him come October "

While applauding  Bar Zulfa  for his invaluable contributions to the development of Langtang North   the coordinator  said he is  confident that Rimven would  come out victorious in the poll.

“The antecedents of Zulfa  are impressive and worthy of emulation, he  has carved a niche for himself in  politics and a  wonderful administrator .

 He is reliable, honest, kind-hearted, matured and consistent in all his pursuits.

He noted that Langtang North  council would  witnessed tremendous developments and a near-crime free situation if Zulfa  is elected chairman  , stressing that  he did excellently well as Commissioner for Housing .

 

While calling on the people to elect the Hon Zulfa ,he said I am   proud to say that the Candidate of the APC in the forthcoming LGA polls in Langtang North  has worked for the   development of the council. His hand works speak volumes for him .

Zulfa has impacted positively on youths , he has empowered thousands of the downtrodden as well as purchased Jamb forms to several citizens of the state . 

"He would better the lives of citizens of Langtang North and move our Council forward , so i call on all to support him at the polls " ,he further added

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PRESS STATEMENT BY MIDDLE BELT FORUM

The death of the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Gwagwalada, Abuja,  this morning came to us as a great shock. As someone who relentlessly participated in the activities of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), his untimely death has dealt  a deadly blow on ethnic nationalities of not only the Middle Belt but the country at large.

Arising from various enquiries from Nigerians over the circumstances of his death, the Forum wishes to state as follows: That Dr Mailafia arrived Abuja last Sunday September 12, 2021 from Akure and was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by his wife.

On arrival at home, the wife noticed he was not in the best of health conditions and seemed to be suffering from malaria. After three days of treatment without signs of improvement, he went to the CBN Hospital on Friday September 17, 2021 where he was shabily treated. It took the intervention of a senior medic who immediately placed him on oxygen and admitted him.

Dr Mailafia's was later given the option of choosing three hospitals: Gwagwalada Hospital, National Hospital and EHA Clinics. The wife opted for the third choice. On arrival at the EHA Clinics, the wife was subjected to yet another moment of anxiety as it took a direct order from the top management of the hospital to accept him.

After few hours of treatment, the EHA Clinics told the wife that it was expedient to transfer the former CBN Deputy Governor to Gwagwalada as the clinic was not fully equipped to handle the case.

The wife opposed the decision and insisted that she was opposed to the idea of taking her husband to Gwagwalada. Mailafia's wife only succumbed when the consultant assured her that nothing bad will happen to her husband. 

Yesterday, Saturday September 18, 2021, Dr Obadiah was transfered to Gwagwalada. on arrival, the name of the doctor that was billed to attend to Dr Mailafia was not on duty. Even when an attempt was made by foreign health consultants to save the situation, the doctor on duty got angry and said he was not obligated to listen to any foreign consultants that had been brought into the matter with the sole purpose of ensuring nothing  goes wrong.

Wife of the former CBN Deputy Governor was asked to pay the sum of N600'000 as deposit even when it was a referral case, with accruing medical bill to be settled by the CBN. At a point, Dr Mailafia complained over his breathing problems and pleaded with the doctors to place him in a ventilator. The doctors flatly refused.

Even after the doctors declared Dr. Mailafia dead, foreign consultants who were brought into the matter through Dr Mailafia's son that is  living abroad, had directed a family member who is a medical professional, with the wife of the CBN Deputy Governor, to mount pressure on the chest of Dr.  Mailafia for  resuscitation and thereafter place him on a life support.

The doctors in Gwagwalada refused all entreaties by the family members of Dr Mailafia to follow the advice of the foreign consultants, insisting that they have already pronounced him dead. Even when the wife could feel the pulse of her husband, the doctor flatly declared there was nothing they could do since they had already pronounced him dead.

While the above narration sums up the circumstances under which Dr Mailafia died,  we still  await the result of the actual cause of his death. As a nationalist and patriot that he was, Dr. Mailafia  was completely dedicated to the emancipation of ethnic nationalities from the clutches of oppression. The economist was never afraid to speak truth to power just as he remained committed to the enthronement of justice and equity to all citizens across ethnic and religious  divides.

In the twilight of his life, this consummate technocrat and global scholar of repute beamed his searchlight on the raging insecurity ravaging our country. He expressed regrets over government's incapacity 

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Asiwaju Yoruba of Plateau, Hon. Olagbemiro urges citizens to embrace COVID-19 vaccines.

By Golok Nanmwa ,Jos 

Asiwaju Yoruba of Plateau state and Jos based business  man  Jide Olagbemiro  at the weekend appealed to citizens especially the Yourbas in the state  to take COVID-19 vaccines to prevent them from contracting the virus.

Olagbemiro  made the appeal in a statement made available to newsmen in Jos  after their meeting with elders , stressing that  the benefits of using the COVID-19 vaccines outweighed its risks, adding that vaccines were not harmful and encouraged all people to avail themselves of the vaccines as a preventive measure.continue 

 

The  Asiwaju Yoruba of Plateau Hon Jide further  added that the Yourbas are willing to partner with  government  to  continue to  sensitise the people at the grassroots level on the need to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

 Olagbemiro appreciated the efforts of the Simon Lalong led Government at tackling the Coronavirus pandemic and urged those qualified to be vaccinated not to delay in taking the vaccine 

He also commended Governor Simon Lalong for his efforts at restoring lasting peace in Plateau and called on Yorubas in the state to stay peacefully with one a other and support the state government .

He reiterated the resolve to continually support the peace building efforts of government for speedy attainment of a peaceful Plateau .

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BREAKING - Obadiah Mailafia is dead.

 

September 19, 2021

By Golok Nanmwa ,Jos 

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria   Dr Obadiah Mailafia is dead.

According to a source, the 64-year-old died at the National Hospital Abuja.

More details soon

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Hon.Yusuf Haruna Abdulmalik still our council boss - Qua'an Pan LGA

By Golok Nanmwa ,Jos 

Authorities of Quaan Pan Local Government Council at the weekend said that  Hon. Yusuf Haruna Abdulmalik  still remains the substantive chairman of the council .

This was contained in a statement signed by Barr. Simon Dawang

Secretary, of Quaan Pan Local Government Council and made available to newsmen in Jos .

The statement reads that "On the 17th day of September 2021, the High Court of Justice Plateau State presided over by Justice N.L Musa delivered it's verdict in the case instituted by Isaac Kyalle Kwallu  against the council chairman, Hon.Abdulmalik Haruna, all the members of the legislative arm of the council, the Plateau State House of Assembly amongst other Agencies of Government to challenge his removal from office.

 The court granted the reliefs sought by the Plaintiff. We have since  been informed that being dissatisfied with the said judgement, the Council Chairman and all other persons adversely affected have since lodged their respective appeals through their lawyers against the said judgement to the Court of Appeal Jos Judicial Division in furtherance of the exercise of their constitutional rights. 

They have further filed  motions to stay the execution of the said judgement and same is now pending before the same Justice N.L Musa awaiting a determination before any step can be taken to enforce the judgement.

The statement further reads that in the circumstance therefore we urge all peace loving people within the Local Government Area to shun acts of incitement and go about their lawful businesses and to await the time when the judicial process at the Court of Appeal will be exhausted in line with the settled principles of law.

"The public may wish to note that the High Court which delivered the judgement against the Council Chairman, other officers of council, House of Assembly and other agencies of Government as presided over by Justice N.L Musa.

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PLATEAU HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY CONDOLE'S WITH FORMER SPEAKER; GEORGE EDWARD DAIKA.

17th September, 2021.

The Rt.Hon Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Abok Nuhu Ayuba, together with his honorable colleagues condoled with Rt.Hon George Edward Daika, a former Speaker of the State Assembly, over the demise of his late wife, Mrs Anna George Edward Daika at his Abuja residence.

While consoling the bereaved, Mr Speaker described the dead as a shock to the 9th Assembly and the entire State at large. He further prayed that God will grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable lost.

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ABDUCTED NIGERIAN SOLDIER, MAJOR CHRISTOPHER DATONG REGAINS FREEDOM.

17th September, 2021.

Aftermath of bandits intrusion into the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA) on the 24 of August 2021 where two officers where killed and one kidnapped.

On Friday night, the deputy director Army public relations officer, Colonel Ezindo Idinmah confirmed that Maj.CL Datong was rescued by troops.

He also added that operations leading to his rescue lead to destruction of several bandits camps in Afaka Birnin Gwari area of the state. He said that scores of bandits were killed especially in the late hours of September 17th, 2021.

The operation was made up of Air task force, Department of state security, Police officers and other security agencies.

The rescued officer also sustained a minor injury but was treated in a medical facility and since handed over to the Nigerian Defense Academy's authority.

He commended the efforts of the security agencies that carried out the operations and reiterated that the operations will continue until all culprits involved in the murder of the two other officers are been neutralized.

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HIGH COURT IN JOS REINSTATES IMPEACHED LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN.

 17th September 2021

By; Gyang Bere, Jos.

The Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos has reinstated the purportedly impeached Executive Chairman of Qua’an Pan Local Government Area, Hon. Isaac Kwallu back to office.

The sitting Judge, Justice Nafisat Musa after a six hours judgement ruled that Hon. Kwallu is hereby reinstated and ordered the fourth defendant, Hon. Abdulmalik Yusuf Haruna to vacate the office with immediate effect.

She said the judgment is in the interest of justice, fairness and in promotion of democracy in the Nigeria.

“It is highly unfortunate that the conduct of the proceedings of the panel was within a week.

“There is no how that the panel should have afforded the plaintiff the right to respond to these allegations against him. Consequently, I ruled in favour of the plaintiff against that of the defendant.

“On the whole, having resolved all the four issues in favour of the plaintiff, i hereby granted this judgment in the over all interest of justice, and the promotion of democracy in the country, this is the ruling of the court in this case,” she stated.

Following a consequently application by Counsel to the plaintiff for the released of the official vehicles to the Chairman. Justice Musa directed the immediate released of three official vehicles, ‘one Toyota Hilux, one Ford Hilux and one Prado Jeep” which were in custody of the court to Hon. Isaac Kwallu.

She said the matter was keenly looked into the matter, the impeachment can be described as a stage manage drama.”that is why i painstakingly look into this issue careful i dont want to overlook anything so that no body will say he was cheated.”

Counsel to the plaintiff Barr. Sunday Ekara speaking with Newsmen after the judgment said the outcome of the case is born out of the relief brought before the Court which has reinstated the plaintiff back to office as a democratically elected Chairman of Qua’an Pan LGA and the implementation takes effect.

He said the relief item number ‘L’ on their prayers brought before the court was asking the Court for “An order reinstating the plaintiff as a democratically elected Exercutive Chairman of Qua’an Pan Local Government Council and restoring all his accruing benefits and privileges forthwith.

“While relief ‘k’ is an order directing the fourth defendant who is presently occupying the seat to vacate the seat of the Executive Chairman of Qua’an Pan Local Government Council.”

The reinstated local government council Chairman, Hon. Isaac Kwallu while responding to questions from Journalists on the outcome of the case said, “To the glory of God the Father Son, and Holy Spirit; my joy knows no bound. I want to thank the good people of Qua’an Pan who gave me their mandate freely and that was why we had to defend the mandate which was freely given to us.”

He thanked his supporters who has kept faith with him in the struggle as well as citizens of Plateau State, and called on especially the good people of Qua’an Pan LGA to put everything that happened behind them. “We are all politicians, we will meet again, and whatever it is i have forgiving everybody.”

Recalled that the Executive Chairman was suspended for three months by the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly and was purported impeached by some local government Legislative members amidst an investigative panel which the Court said has not granted the plaintiff a fair hearing.

Counsel to the defendants J. Mantu

commended the Judge for a logical judgment.”the ruling was so surgically and dissected, this is the first judgement i have ever stayed this long.”

Meanwhile his counterpart Bare Solomon Gurumtet also appreciated the Judge for the energy put in ensuring a very logical outcome of the case.

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