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African leaders works on reaction to Gabon military coup

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On Thursday, African leaders were working on a reaction to military in Gabon who deposed President Ali Bongo and installed a general as head of state, the latest in a spate of coups in West and Central Africa that regional forces have failed to reverse.

The revolt brings an end to the Bongo family dynasty’s nearly six decades in power and creates a fresh conundrum for a region that has dealt with eight coups before 2020. Nigeria’s newly elected president referred to it as a “contagion of autocracy.”

The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Central Africa’s political organization, condemned the coup in a statement, saying it planned a “imminent” summit of heads of state to decide how to respond. It did not provide a date.

The African Union’s Peace and Security Council will convene on Thursday to address the coup, according to a representative for the African Union Commission chair.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who was sworn in in May and currently chairs the West African bloc ECOWAS, said on Wednesday that he was working closely with other African leaders to prevent what he called a “contagion of autocracy” sweeping across Africa.

Senior officers in Gabon proclaimed their coup before daybreak on Wednesday, only hours after an election commission concluded that Bongo had easily won a third term during Saturday’s poll.

Later that day, a video surfaced showing Bongo trapped in his home, pleading with diplomatic supporters for assistance while seemingly unconscious of what was going on around him. The officers also stated that General Brice Oligui Nguema, former chief of the presidential guard, had been appointed as head of state.

The coups in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger in the last four years have erased democratic achievements made since the 1990s, creating concerns among foreign countries with regional strategic interests. The coups also demonstrated African states’ limited leverage once the military takes charge.

Following a coup in Niger on July 26, ECOWAS threatened military action and issued sanctions, but the junta has not backed down. Military authorities in other countries, such as Mali, have also resisted international pressure. They have managed to maintain power, and some have even won popular support.

Hundreds of people came to the streets of Gabon’s capital, Libreville, to celebrate Wednesday’s coup. On Thursday, the city was calmer as people returned to work, while security officers were stationed at major crossroads and thoroughfares.

Bongo’s popularity has dwindled amid allegations of corruption, bogus elections, and a refusal to spend more of Gabon’s oil and mineral resources on the needy. After the death of his father, Omar, who had reigned since 1967, he took over in 2009.

The African Union, former colonial power France, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom have all expressed alarm about the coup. They have not, however, made explicit calls for Bongo’s reinstatement.

The European Union’s foreign policy leader, Josep Borrell, said the election was riddled with anomalies and that the EU opposed the seizing of power by force.

“Gabon’s challenges must be addressed in accordance with the principles of the rule of law, constitutional order, and democracy,” he stated.

A paucity of international observers, the suspension of some foreign broadcasts, and the authorities’ decision to cut internet service and enforce a nighttime curfew following the poll raised questions about the vote’s transparency.

Ondo Acting Governor, Aiyedatiwa, orders Council Chairmen, Councilors to vacate their offices

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Acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has asked all Chairmen, Councillors, and elected officials of the state’s Local Government Areas to quit their positions.

According to this platform, the order comes after their tenure expires on Wednesday, August 30th, 2023.

In a statement published by his spokesperson, Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson, the acting governor thanked local government officials while cautioning them to transfer over correctly.

The Aiyedatiwa decree will be issued roughly six months before the state’s local government elections.

The council election was originally slated for December of this year, but it has to be moved to February of 2024.

“The constitutional tenure of the elected Chairmen and Councillors of Local Governments in Ondo State ends today, 30th August 2023,” the acting governor said in a statement.

“This implies that all Chairmen and Councillors will resign from their positions and hand over administration of the Local Governments.”

“Accordingly, and in order to avoid a vacuum, the Acting Governor of Ondo State, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has directed the Heads of Local Government Administration in the eighteen (18) Local Governments across the State to take charge of the administration of the Local Governments immediately, pending further directives from the State Government.”

IGP: Nigeria needs 190,000 more police officers

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Olukayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), claims that a lack of manpower is impeding the agency’s attempts to combat crime.

He claims that in order to successfully secure the nation, the police would require an additional 190,000 officers.

This was said by IGP Egbetokun during a paper presentation to the Senior Executive Course 45 on Wednesday at Kuru, Plateau State’s National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies.

According to Egbetokun, Nigeria has a police-citizen ratio of 1 to 650 when the UN suggested one police officer for every 460 inhabitants.

Therefore, in order to be on pace with the United Nations’ suggested ratio, the NPF needs an additional 190,000 workers, he said.

According to the police head, the government’s drive toward industrialization would become unachievable if the nation were not well-policed.

The IGP continued, “Therefore, the insufficient manpower, which has led to a low police presence, could impair the government’s industrialisation initiatives.”

Industrial facilities could become targets for criminal activity and impede economic development if there is insufficient police presence and response capacity.

The Nigerian police’s lack of resources, he continued, is also limiting their ability to protect the vital infrastructure of the nation.

In order to examine how the police can best address the three major concerns of industrialization, energy security, and climate change, IGP is hosting a meeting on Wednesday as part of defense and security studies as part of their research for the year.

Osun community clears Nigerian Army of wrongdoing in connection with land-grabbing allegations

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The authorities in Ilobu, the administrative center of Irepodun Local Government Area in Osun State, have responded to the charge of land snatching made against the Nigerian Army by Ifon-Osun town, the administrative center of Orolu Local Government Area, which is located nearby.

The Nigerian Army also published a public statement on Tuesday night refuting the accusation and outlining its mission in defending every area of Nigeria from both internal and external assault. This is in addition to that statement.

Ifon-Osun had earlier on Tuesday organized a demonstration, alleging that the Nigerian Army was planning to seize its land for the purported purpose of constructing a facility for the area.

Allegation

The residents of the community, led by its regent and Eesa of Ifon-Osun, Babatunde Oyetunji, protested and spoke to the media on Tuesday, alleging that the Nigerian Army may have taken possession of their community’s land parcels in collusion with the Ilobu community.

Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, was allegedly planned to use his position to forcibly annex land belonging to the Ilobu village because he is a native of that community.

Replies Ilobu

However, in response to Ifon-Osun’s assertion on Wednesday, the palace of the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, refuted it and characterized it as an attempt to stir up trouble in the neighborhood.

Adegoke Ogunsola, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, a senior chief and lawyer who spoke to the media on behalf of the palace, said the community was shocked to learn of the protest against a “innocent army chief” whose appointment had been praised by many Nigerians as the right fit in the right hole.

Mr. Ogunsola argued that it was crucial to resolve the controversies surrounding the land dispute and pointed out that Ilobu has repeatedly won court challenges that have already been decided.

He added that a retired soldier and an old buddy met the community’s royal father and explored the prospect of facilitating a development center for the village. The retired soldier and old friend were reportedly taken to a potential spot to determine the viability of the site.

A former military member was a visitor of the Olobu of Ilobu, His Royal Majesty Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan II (J.P), on Monday, August 28, the chief reported. During the visit, the Olobu of Ilobu suggested a project for the Nigerian Army’s Military-Civil Relations. The retired General, who is a close friend of Olobu of Ilobu, was then driven to areas of the village where people needed the project.

Without hesitating, Ilobu Community portions were the locations visited. Again, this claim has been supported by court rulings and the Osun State Gazette.

He listed various cases to include those in cases with suit no: HOY/20/70 between Oba J. O. Akinyooye II, the Olufon of Ifon Osun, Oba Aminu Siyanbola, as delivered on 17 July, 1973; judgement in Appeal No FCA/I/1978 between Oba J. O. Akinyooye II, the Olufon of Ifon Osun, and Prince Salami Adesina and Prince Kola Oyewumi delivered on 22 September, 1981.

Among the other decisions mentioned by the chief were those with the case number HOS/22/86 between Jimoh Adigun & Amusa Akanni and Oba Asiru Olaniyan, which was handed down on October 18, 1991, and the appeal number CA/I/153/98 between Amusa Akanni and Oba Asiru Olaniyan, which was handed down on July 7, 2005.

Mr. Ogunsola, the most recent chairman of Irepodun Local Government, also listed the judgment in the case HOS/40/2015 between the Governor of Osun State and five other parties and HRM Oba A. A. Magbagbeola (OLufon of Ifon) and Orolu Local Government, which was allegedly recently delivered on July 13, 2018.

Do not divert the army leader.

Mr. Ogunsola, who referred to the palace of Ifon Osun’s protest as mere rantings, claimed that an analysis of the community’s prior behavior would show that it is motivated by enmity and despair.

He declared that Jide Akinyooye and Eesa of Ifon-Osun’s current outbursts were identical to their earlier lying. The Federal Republic of Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Hammed Tinubu, is once again appreciated by the Olobu of Ilobu, Chiefs, and residents of Ilobu for selecting Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, a well-known son of Ilobu, for a national position.

“We want to underline that the claim by the Ifon-Osun community is an attempt to divert the chief of army staff and the president from pursuing the Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigeria.

Response of the Army

The Nigerian Army’s spokeswoman, Onyema Nwachukwu, called the accusation nasty and untrue earlier on Tuesday and urged the public to ignore it.

He asserted that the Nigerian Army was not currently engaged in any process involving the acquisition of any land for any project, whether at Orolu or elsewhere, and that the protesters’ primary goal was to “tarnish the excellent reputation of the army chief and the institution it represents.”

The Nigerian Army issued the following statement on its official Facebook page: “The Nigerian Army (NA) has been notified of malicious allegations reportedly peddled in a press statement by one Chief Babatunde Oyetunji, Eesa of Ifon in which he levelled allegations that the Nigerian Army (NA) has decided to forcefully acquire land for a proposed project in Orolu Community of Orolu Local Govt of Osun State.

“The NA wishes to clarify that the story is absolutely untrue, spiteful, and an attempt by some vested interests to destroy the good reputation of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and drag the name of the institution in the dirt,” the statement reads.

Allegation’s justification could be

According to Mr. Nwachukwu, one of the steps the Nigerian Army is taking to increase public trust in the Nigerian Army is “through the instrumentality of Civil-Military Cooperation activities or programs of the Nigerian Army.”

“This endeavor is basically focused on promoting cooperation and energizing support from the general public for NA’s various operations to alleviate security concerns around the country. Therefore, the NA typically carries out specialized community intervention projects, such as hospitals, boreholes, and electrification among others, based on needs assessment, after consulting with the leadership of such communities, at the request of senior officers who are from the benefiting community, the army spokesman said.

Nevertheless, he went on to say that the specific instance was merely being conceptualized by a retired senior officer and will be put forward to the Nigerian Army. The proposition, according to him, has not been made.

“By this, the Nigerian Army disavows any role in any attempt to seize any common property. The Nigerian Army is a competent, law-abiding agency that has always adhered to the proper procedures in all of her intervention projects that she has previously undertaken. In light of this, the general public is urged to reject the accusations and keep supporting the Nigerian Army’s nationwide kinetic and non-kinetic operations.

INEC has begun hiring ad hoc employees for polls in Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi

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On February 25, 2023, during Nigeria’s presidential and general elections, an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official holds up a ballot paper during the counting procedure at a polling station in Egbeda, Lagos. (Image courtesy of AFP/Benson Ibeabuchi)

In preparation for the governorship elections in the states of Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has started hiring ad hoc employees.

The portal for the recruitment exercise will be online starting on Thursday, August 31, 2023 and will close on October 2, according to an announcement by INEC on X (previously Twitter).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) invited candidates to apply as Ad-Hoc Staff for the impending off-cycle governorship elections in the states of Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi.

“Portal opens at 8:00 AM on Thursday, August 31, 2023.” The portal will close on Monday, October 2, 2023 at midnight.

Visit the INEC portal at https://pres.inecnigeria.org if you are interested in applying. or (for Android users) https://inecpres-app.com/pres-app.apk to start the procedure.

Additionally, the electoral umpire advised candidates to visit https://inecnigeria.org/?page_id=12870 for more details on the ad hoc staff hiring process.

Regarding eligibility, INEC has urged all applicants to go to the Eligibility Page and check the requirements for any election staff post of interest.

In order to be eligible for selection as ad-hoc staff for the 11th November 2023 off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states, all applicants are also encouraged to complete and submit the registration forms online.

INEC stipulates that candidates must not be members of any political parties, not have shown or spoken their support for any candidates or parties, and must reside in the state of choice, with the exception of Registration Area Technicians.

Lagos State working to tackle the issue of congestion in state’s public schools

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The government of Lagos State has said that it is actively working to tackle the issue of congestion in the state’s public schools.

Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, Director General of the Office of Education Quality Assurance, stated  that the state government’s biggest objective is to ensure that students in the state’s schools receive a quality education.

Speaking on the teacher-student ratio that is recommended by the National Education Policy, which is 1:40 for secondary schools, 1:35 for primary schools, and 1:25 for preschoolers, the Director of OEQA stated that the government was building more schools in areas where existing schools are overpopulated and employing more qualified teachers while training existing ones in effective class management. Additionally, the OEQA DG stated that the government was training existing teachers in effective classroom management.

“There is a significant amount of interest from students throughout the state in attending public schools. The government is fully aware of the difficulties presented by such a demand.

 

“The population of Lagos State alone is enough to make Nigeria the most populated black nation in the world… However, this does not imply that we do not have any criteria when it comes to the delivery of educational services to students.

“There is a never-ending debate about which should come first: access to the resource, or the quality of the resource? And the state of Lagos is succeeding in both areas. We are not going to stop accepting students, but at the same time, we are aware that if we create an environment with private schools that are more controlled and more standardized, there will be education available for all students. Despite this, we are not going to stop accepting students.

“As a matter of government policy, we will never put quantity over quality. Our governor has placed a high priority, just during this administration, on the construction of additional schools in regions where the existing schools are already at or near capacity. This is being done so that we can depopulate the existing schools, which hasn’t been done in a very long time, and rehabilitate the existing schools so that students can learn in an environment that is more conducive to comfort.

According to Seriki-Ayeni’s statement, “The government of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is also employing more qualified teachers into the system in order to ensure that the quality of delivery in schools is not compromised.”

Tinubu gives order to recapture of fleeing inmates- Interior minister

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According to the Minister of the Interior, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, President Bola Tinubu has issued a marching order that all evading inmates across the country should be recaptured. This information was provided by the minister.

There were at least seven attacks on correctional facilities around the country during the years 2021 and 2022, during which a significant number of detainees managed to flee from the facilities.

Prisons at Kuje, Kogi, Jos, Abologo, Owerri, Okitipupa, and Oko were among the seven detention facilities that came under attack.

To this day, there are approximately 4,000 escaped prisoners remaining at large.

 

Wednesday, after an assessment of the facilities at the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Correctional Service, Tunji-Ojo addressed journalists and stated that the service will make every effort to guarantee that the directive made by the president regarding escaping inmates is carried out to the letter.

He also stated that the Nigerian Correctional Service would engage with the other security agencies in the country to collaborate on the apprehension of those responsible.

“The president has given us a corresponding order, and it involves recapturing the fleeing detainees,” Tunji-Ojo said. In order to accomplish this goal, we will collaborate with other security agencies. We are going to labor nonstop to retrieve them from wherever they are and will do so around the clock. We will make sure that those who are currently inside do not escape.

He further stated that any acts of sabotage carried out by jail officials would not be permitted.

Tunji Ojo is quoted as saying, “We will also not accept sabotage such as neglecting our duties, among other examples.” We are prepared to dismiss anyone who attempts to undermine our efforts.

Earlier, while speaking at the Nigeria Immigration Service, the minister promised to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all previously established agreements in order to enhance the effectiveness of the service.

He stated that he would assemble a group of people who would do the study and went on to say that the agreements were preventing the Service from carrying out its mandates.

“We must terminate any agreements (entered into by NIS) that prevent us from moving forward as a nation. I will assemble a group to investigate this further.

Tunji-Ojo bemoaned the fact that it takes Nigerians months to obtain the document and emphasized how important it is to shorten the amount of time it takes to obtain an international passport.

He expressed his displeasure at the fact that it took his daughter a whole year to finally receive her passport.

“It took my kid a total of six months to finally receive the booklet for her passport. I was the head of the House committee on NDDC, so I had to deal with this; tell me what challenges the typical Nigerian will face. It’s almost as if we’re waiting for our boarding passes to heaven.

Additionally, he issued a directive that Nigerians applying for international passports must be treated with dignity, particularly those Nigerians who are located in places outside of Nigeria.

Tunji-Ojo emphasized that all of the employees at the London passport office are required to comply with his directive.

He stated that having a passport is not a privilege but rather a right. Respect needs to be shown to Nigerians no matter where they are, but especially to those who live beyond the borders of their own nation. While Nigerians are seeking travel documents in the London Immigration office, those working there need to enhance the quality of their services and treat them with the utmost respect. Our citizens, no matter where they may be, are required to take pride in who they are.

Cherubim and Seraphim, pastor Taiwo Odebiyi set lady ablaze during deliverance prayer

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At his Cherubim and Seraphim Maberu Parish in Offin in the Sagamu region of Ogun State, pastor Taiwo Odebiyi is accused of setting Sukura Owodunni, 21, on fire while attempting to perform deliverance on her.

PUNCH Metro learned that the incident took place on August 17, 2023, when the victim went to the church for a special prayer at the pastor’s invitation.

Additionally, according to information obtained by our correspondent, the victim was instructed by the pastor to get local eggs, the scent Amazing Grace, and a candle for the specific prayer.

The pastor is alleged to have lit the candle and applied the perfume to the woman’s body while he prayed for her.

 

The pastor allegedly lighted the candle, and Owodunni erupted in flames, suffering severe burns to her breast, shoulder, and legs.

The Divisional Police Officer in Adigbe, CSP Abdulfattah Ogunsanya, and his colleagues rushed the location on Tuesday, according to an eyewitness, and the culprit was promptly apprehended.

When reached, SP Omolola Odutola, the state police public relations officer, verified the occurrence to our correspondent on Wednesday and said that additional inquiry had started to clarify the details of the case.

After the assault, the woman allegedly received no support and was left to pay for her own medical expenses. For medical attention, the person has been brought to the hospital.

The culprit was taken into custody by our personnel. After the preliminary investigation is perfected, the matter will be sent to the State Criminal Investigation Department, said Odutola.

38-year-old, Matthew Ifeanyi, allegedly killed his father over N70,000 debt

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The Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, also known as So-Safe, reported that it had detained a 38-year-old man named Matthew Ifeanyi for allegedly killing his father, Anthony Nnadike, with a machete in the Olorunda neighborhood of Eruobodo Ntabo, Ijoko.

Because his father couldn’t provide the N70,000 he’d had with him since July 2022, Ifeanyi allegedly beat him to death.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by the So Safe State Commander’s office and signed by Moruf Yusuf, the director of information and public relations, this is what happened.

According to the statement, “On Tuesday, August 29, 2023, information reached Superintendent Alabi Gafar, the Divisional Officer of the Corps at Alade/Atago/Ntabo Divisional Command, that at 11, Ibikunle Street, Diamond Estate, along Olorunda Area, Eruobodo Ntabo, Ijoko in Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area, a middle-aged man was allegedly attacking his biological father with a cutlass.

 

According to the statement, the victim was rescued and taken to the nearest general hospital owing to their injuries, and the Divisional Command patrol team was then given orders to arrest the son and rescue the unfortunate victim.

Later, the hospital’s on-call physician verified his death.

Ifeanyi allegedly admitted to killing his father during the initial investigation because he couldn’t get back the N70,000 he had with him since July 22, 2022.

He was also reported to have admitted that he was obliged to do it because he quit his prior job to start a business but his father was unable to pay for it.

According to reports, the suspect was moved to the Sango Divisional Headquarters of the state police command for additional investigation and legal action.

Podcast Q1: FG fails to deliver Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline

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Following assurances that the 614 km (384 miles) long gas pipeline would begin running in the first quarter of this year, the Federal Government was unable to complete the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano project.

The pipeline, whose construction started in June 2020, will eventually produce 3.6 gigawatts of electricity and assist gas-based industries along its route, according to Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari.

Before the President departs, we will refuel this line. We plan to supply gas to this line by the first quarter of 2023. Due to this initiative, power will be stabilized, and industry will grow, Kyari told reporters last year.

In the country’s north, the AKK pipeline travels through Kaduna on its way from Ajaokuta to Kano.

 

But according to people with direct knowledge of the situation, it is unclear whether the project will be completed “anytime soon.”

Inquiries about the pipeline projects were not answered by the NNPCL’s external communications department.

As a result of internal or inter-Economic of West African States (ECOWAS) conflicts, a few gas pipeline projects are now on hold.

Both the $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline and the $13 billion 4,000 km Trans-Sahara gas pipeline project are being slowed down by the political unrest in the Republic of Niger.

According to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigeria has roughly 209 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves.

The Trans-Saharan gas pipeline will transport Nigerian gas to Europe once it is finished.

Although the project has great potential for Nigeria and Europe, delivery is currently dubious, according to analysts, because of the recent coup in Niger.

Efem Nkam Ubi, an associate professor at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, stated that it was crucial for the nations involved in the pipeline project to consider diplomatic and, more importantly, dialogue-based alternatives to military action in order to resolve the Niger crisis.

Beatrice Bianchi, a political analyst and Sahel specialist at the Med-Or Foundation, an Italian think tank, claimed that the pipeline project aimed to unite several continents.

However, she continued, “it has consistently been hampered by setbacks, delays, and security issues brought on by Tuareg rebellions, as well as issues in both Niger and Nigeria.

Due to the focus on finding a solution for the regional issue, the $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project also faces challenges.

The 5,600-kilometer project was signed by Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Benin Republic, Republic of Guinea, Togo, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Senegal, and Mauritania.

The program, a joint effort between the Federal Government and the Kingdom of Morocco, was created during King Mohammed VI of Morocco’s visit to Nigeria in December 2016.

Its objectives include making money off of Nigeria’s more than 206 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, diversifying the country’s gas export routes, and ending gas flaring.

Additionally, the about 7,000-kilometer line will start on Brass Island in Nigeria, travel through 13 other African nations, and end in the northern part of Morocco, where it will be connected to the current Maghreb European Pipeline. This line would help feed gas to Morocco, as well as to Europe and 13 other countries.

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