A 24-year-old trained nurse, Stella, says she has been forced into what she calls 'prostitution' by the Ghana Health Service which failed process her salary.Stella said she has been working without salary for the past eighteen months and all efforts to get the Controller and Accountant General's Department to resolve the issue have yielded no results.Speaking to Joy FM's Super Morning Show host Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, Stella said owing to her precarious situation, she is forced to stay with a man to whom she is not and does not intend to marry.But she performs wifely duties in return for money her upkeep and other basic necessities."It's been difficult to be very frank with you. I live with a man, he is not my husband but he decided to pay my rent, give me some money and now am performing a wife's duty simply because I can't afford to take care for myself and it's hell."I'm not the only person most of my colleagues are going through similar, similar stories and is very very painful," she lamented."Stella, how do you feel in this current situation?" Oppong-Nkrumah asked, to which she responded, "to me is ugly for a nurse to go through these things. I don't even like talking about it but the way things are it is better I say it. It is the ugliest thing I've ever done and is the thing I will be very glad to stop."The distraught nurse appealed to authorities to rectify the situation since it was exacting a heavy toll on her.The Public Relations Officer at the Controller and Accountant General's, Sephax Dosu said the problem was not caused by the department.According to him, it is the responsibility of Personnel Processing Departments of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to do the property documentation to facilitate the payment of salaries of their employees.Mr. Dosu said if staff of PPD of MDAs enter the data of employees in good time, salaries of workers could not be delayed.He appealed to MDAs to exercise patience and explain to workers who complain about delays in salaries so "that they don't insult to injury."
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Producer Paul Julius is confident that the tens of thousands of dollars he has spent producing the soap opera “Tomorrow’s Tears” will be recouped, no matter the electricity shortages, lack of investors or grease-palmed government officials hampering his shooting schedule.Fighting to be heard over a steady stream of traffic and actors complaining about the lack of food, money and air conditioning, Mr. Julius explained the plot of his soap, which he hopes to sell to local TV stations. “I changed the subject from the normal stuff: blood, magic, stepmothers, etc.,” he said. “This is going to be about real-life issues.”Mr. Julius is an up-and-coming player in Nigeria’s film and television industry, known as Nollywood, which has grown from its infancy in the 1980s into the one of the world’s biggest movie industries, but is facing some real-life issues of its own.In 2006, nearly 900 movies, almost all straight-to-video, were shot in Nigeria, trailing only India and almost doubling Hollywood’s total for the same year, according to a Unesco report released this month. Currently around 40 movies are shot every month in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, not counting the dozens of television dramas that are also shot here. The industry generates an estimated $250 million a year, and is popular throughout Africa and immigrant enclaves in Europe and the U.S.But rampant piracy means substantial losses for producers and directors already operating on tight budgets. Understaffed and bribe-ready police means copyright enforcement is minimal. Inadequate roadways inhibit a small distribution network itching to grow. Constant electricity outages stall production schedules. These problems threaten to derail the industry.Nigeria’s messy and often corrupt oil industry drives much of what happens in this country. It is the biggest oil producer in Africa, and as much as 95% of the country’s export earnings come from oil. Nigeria has taken in roughly $400 billion in oil-generated revenue since 1970 but the standard of living for most Nigerians has actually decreased.Nonetheless, the country’s residents have an impressive appetite for movies. The most successful Nollywood movies are often melodramas like “Living in Bondage” and “Domitilla,” filled with adultery, bribery and elements of local mysticism.A comedy, however, may have given Nollywood its best chance at international exposure. “Usuofia in London,” about a Nigerian man who lands in the big city straight from his native village, may be the best-selling Nollywood movie to date, with an estimated 500,000 copies sold. Only a handful of Nigerian movies have made it to international film festivals, such as “The Rivals,” directed by Aquila Njamah, which was shown at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival in 2007.Most Nigerian movies are produced fast and cheap, shot in a few weeks for $15,000 to $25,000, then roughly edited and handed off to marketers and eventually street-side vendors, or video clubs, as they are known locally. Financiers, usually friends or family members of the producer or director, want to see their investments recouped and care little for artistic exploration or high-quality technical effects.Directors are under pressure to keep each movie on schedule and under budget. Profits, when made, are small. Producers estimate that as much as 70% of their yearly revenue is lost to piracy. “I would say the biggest challenge facing the industry at the moment is lack of structure, and a high level of informality,” said Emeka Mba, the chairman of the National Film and Video Censors Board, the Nigerian movie industry’s main regulatory body.There is no formal distribution network for Nollywood producers. A finished movie in Lagos is burned onto around 15,000 DVDs with no copy protection and released into the market. If it’s a hit, demand swells. Vendors need more copies. But the producers often can’t keep up. So the movie is copied by pirates and thrown back into the market. The producer can only hope he made back his investment in time.“We’ve been crying to the government. If these things are not checked now, Nollywood will go into extinction,” said Cosmas Ndulue, 42, a producer and owner of one of only two indigenous DVD manufacturing companies in Nigeria.Industry officials and government agencies have started paying closer attention to piracy, but so far there hasn’t been much of an effect. A recent police raid on a well-known DVD-copying operation resulted in a brief confrontation between police and piracy-ring leaders. The pirates stood their ground and burned a police truck, then went back to work making knock-off Nollywood copies. The only repercussion for the offenders? A bill for the damage to the police vehicle.As piracy takes a larger and larger chunk of the profits, finding enough money to shoot a movie is becoming even more of a challenge. Chico Ejiro, a producer and director, has been struggling to find financing for his movies. A few years ago, during the shooting of his movie “Sisters on the Run,” he sold his car to keep the production afloat. This year he convinced a local bank to sponsor “100 Days in the Jungle,” a film about abduction and village lore, but it was a flop and Mr. Ejiro says the bank quickly soured on Nollywood.Mr. Julius, despite his production headaches, is optimistic about the future of Nollywood, as are most industry players. While watching two of his actors struggle to finish a scene on a busy Lagos street, Mr. Julius was looking forward to a complicated shoot that would involve a substantial police convoy, hundreds of extras, and foreign actors.“I need someone to play the British prime minister in the big scene we’re shooting this weekend,” Mr. Julius said, eyeing a reporter up and down. “Am I looking at him?”
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Sensational Nigeria actress Rita Dominic has rounded off her visit to southern Africa's Malawi with a big party in the commercial city Blantyre. The popular actress was in Malawi on a five-day visit courtesy of DStv provider MultiChoice Malawi. She left on Saturday.Rita DominicDuring her visit, she toured Malawi’s former head of state - late Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s - mausoleum in Lilongwe as well as Chombo orphanage in Blantyre.Her sign-off party was spiced up by performances from the country’s top artists Lucius Banda and Zembani Band and the Black Missionaries.MultiChoice Malawi organized the trip as a reward to Malawians watching the Africa Magic channel which features a lot of Nigeria (Nollywood) films.
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A lecturer at the Accra Polytechnic says sex ban cannot be the solution to political stand-off.Nana Obiri Yeboah told Joy News " i don't think it has solved any problem. It has even worsen it. We cannot use sex bans to solve conflicts. Even from the house hold level there must be peace so if there is sex ban at the household level, the family unit, then you are exacerbating the problem."His comments is in reaction to a legal suit filed by Kenya's James Kamundo against gender activist leading the crusade for sex bans in Kenya.The ban is to push the male dominated political leaders, led by President Moi Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to go for an amicable settlement of election related violence.Even though the sex ban has not achieved the desired results, Kamundo has been greatly affected.He told the BBC, he is sexually active and the ban is causing considerable havoc in his life."I had a lot of stress. I couldn't concentrate on my work. Normally I have sex with my wife about three times a day. Sometimes I even go home at lunch time to have sex with my wife."He said he feels sick after being starved of sex and wants redress at the law courts.Nana Obiri Yeboah told Joy News Evans Mensah, such a ban in Ghana will be "basis for divorce" in the country."Your wife can even report you if you don't pacify her sexually," he said.When Joy News sought the opinions of some Ghanaians, the sexist line was clearly drawn.The females were ready to slap a ban on sex with their husbands, but the men were ready to seek sex elsewhere if the ban is imposed.
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Have oftened wondered what it would be like if Tom Tom's could work in Nigeria. I mean a Navigator in Nigeria,so I imagine am in my Borat car on third mainland bridge trying to get back to VI from Mushin here we goVoice on Navigator startsPlease type in your destination , Okay I want to go through Mile 2, Ketu, Surulere, Aguda, Ebute Meta, Sorry the Navigator does not recognise these destinations. Please shake the navigator well, well ensure the battery to ur cark is in working order, turn off the navigator again. Please check the make of ur navigator i hope u did not buy me from Aba market.Yes its working1. After twenty miles you will hit the Police Checkpoint please remember to put hand in pocket2. After thirty miles please avoid 10 pot holes five on the left , one in the middle of the road and four on the right3. After forty miles please slow down u are about to hit a dead body on the road. Please do not attempt to stop and try and be a samaritan just press ya foot on ur accelerator and pick race like Lewis Hamilton4. After Fifty miles please slow down there are no lights in this neighbourhood and you are likely to have a punctured tyre for no reason at all, you are advised not to argue give them what they want, dont attempt to call the Police5. After Sixty miles try not to turn right it leads to the cemetery , turn left and you hit the Ashewo joint , please note there are no speed limits just press ya foot on the accelerator and move fast6. After Seventy miles you have reached your destination, please note your security guard has arranged for his friends to rob u , dont argue give them what they want after u have been robbed, get out of the car ,open your gate , go straight to bed ,read ya bible and thank GOD for protecting you and sparing your life
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Dear President ObamaI hope you are well and doing great. Wassssssssssssssssup , Ki lo shele, Nothing do u. You are too much lets cute the chase.Today , I was on the motorway and switched on the radio and heard that you will be visiting Ghana before visiting Nigeria oti oooooo , I understand when you visit Ghana you have no plans to visit Nigeria. How come , why , when what , ki lo de wetin we do ooo.My Brother, I am pleased for Ghanians , it will be an honour to have u land in Accra u can even go by road just watch the pot holes and because you are in Ecowas territory no need for Visa, but my brother why not Nigeria to, what have we done are you trying to tell us something. Okay , I am sorry I cracked jokes pushing u to have a male son in the white house, for telling u that we may replace minchelle if she does not deliver a son , for accusing u for putting all black men under pressure since you became President , we no longer have any excuse for not meeting our dreams, not even the one for having a funny name sticks anymore.I have been thinking seriously why you chose Ghana before Nigeria, I dont think you realise what Nigerians did when you won the elections just to recap we did the following:1. Almost every household made Aso-ebi carrying your logo all over the streets of Nigeria, Even some that did not have the money borrowed to get their Aso Ebi and are still paying back what they borrowed. Even some have returned the clothes.2. There were several fund raising parties in Nigeria to raise funds for you, I know you rightly asked people not to send the money raised but use it to improve democracy in Nigeria.3. I know people blocked streets in Nigeria just to celebrate your election4.Several Leaders asked Nigerians to draw inspiration in your Success but not for them just for the people, Do what I say not what am doing5. We spent more money spraying strangers at parties just to celebrate your Success6. The Average Nigerian was more clued on about your election than in our own election7.We have set so many groups for you "Nigerians for Obama", "Africans for Obama", "I support Obama "the list is endless.8. We have started writing Articles "How can we find our own Obama", " Is Obama possible in Nigeria"9, We even celebrated more than your Kenyan brothers10. So many Swagga parties with brothers charging at the doorObama I hope you can see my point , so I am perplexed that you will not even land in Nigeria, its like a puzzle to me could it be for the follwoing reasons:that we are speniding 1.9 billions dollars on roads in Abuja believe it or not after well over 40 years and 40 nights we still do not have constant light, water in some areas, in short in most areasthat we can elect Gominas and remove them from office in court and replace them with new gominasthat one minute in Ekiti state the Electoral Officer says she cant go ahead with the elections and a couple of days later , she is back from Aso and declares the winnerThe list is endless my brother but if there is one thing I want you to consider when you visit Ghana try and stop over in Nigeria , come and celebrate the second year anniversary of our Popular President he has achieved more in 2 years like you have done in 100 days. He has brought Change that we believe in. We have started the rebranding project.Safe journey to GhanaYoursPresident Obonjo
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"OL'boy, are you watching CNN now?"
"No. I dey Tarmac dey chop life"
"What are you chopping?"
"Peppersoup. Correct isi ewu and nkwobi"
"Be careful. You may be taking a typhoid concoction."
"No. Oh. This one cures malaria. It is specially prepared. And the thing sweet no be small. Leave me make I chop the life of my head."
"Look, that's not why I called. I think you should go and watch CNN right now. It is a sad day for Nigeria. In fact every Nigerian must hide his or her head in shame."
"What is it again this time? Dis kin country wey no go let person rest. Problem today. Wahala tomorrow. To be a Nigerian na crime?"
"Obama is visiting Africa in July and he is not coming to Nigeria"
"And so? Is he a Nigerian? Let him go to his Kenya. Obama is coming to the land of his fathers. Is that why I should stop enjoying my nkwobi?"
"Did you hear what I said? How many bottles have you taken? Obama is coming to Africa on a presidential visit in July and he is visiting Egypt and Ghana. He and Michelle, his wife, will spend two days in Ghana. I think that is an insult to Nigeria. I mean the Americans are deliberately rubbishing us."
"But you should know why? That is America's own way of sending a strong message that they are unhappy with the situation in Nigeria."
"That is why I am sad."
"That is how the American foreign policy process works. It is based on a reward and sanctions principle, if you like - carrot and stick. America goes out of its way to reward countries that are doing well. It sanctions those that appear to be doing badly and a sanction can be in any form. Obama flying over Nigeria to go to Ghana is an act of snobbery. It is the most painful form of sanction"
"But what is it that Egypt is doing well?"
"It is a strategic choice. Egypt is a strategic U.S. ally in the Middle East and America's major bilateral partner."
"Nigeria is also strategic. We sell crude oil to the United States. American oil companies are Nigeria's Joint Venture partners. We supported the U.S. African High Command in the Gulf of Guinea. We have a long history of relationship with the United States. We are the most powerful, the most populous..."
"I beg. Leave that matter oh. Nigerians can't fool anybody with that slogan anymore. Don't you get it? You want Obama to come to Nigeria shortly after the shameful electoral process in Ekiti? You want him to visit Abuja and address your National Assembly? The same National Assembly where the lawmakers are being accused of corruption? You want Obama to attend a dinner in Nigeria where nearly all the people he would come across will be persons who organise the snatching of ballot boxes, the distribution of bribe, oil thieves, tax evaders, treasury looters, and aggressive Nigerian women who will be waiting for Michelle to go to the ladies for a second so they can swoop on the U.S. President, and squeeze their numbers into his palm? You think the Americans don't know?"
"You are not serious. You should stand up for your country. We are not worse than Pakistan or Egypt, and even Obama's Kenya."
"Obama is a brand apart from being the U.S. President. His handlers must have advised him that this is not a good time to visit Nigeria. And all those your countrymen and women in the United States are not helping matters. They are always telling the Americans that their country is a useless place."
"You don't even need to blame those ones. The U.S. has an embassy here. They know what is going on. But it is just that I would have loved Obama to visit Nigeria, Nigerians worked very hard for that man's election."
"Una vote for am?"
"But he has more supporters in Nigeria than in Kenya. People bought Obama stickers and pasted on their cars. There is still an Obama billboard in Abuja. Obama photo portraits are being sold on the streets of Lagos. Musicians sang about him. Even market women campaigned for him. Not to talk of the Obama for Africa associations that tried to raise funds for his campaign. I also know many Nigerians in the U.S. who contributed to the Obama fund. I am even sure that if anybody had said Obama lost that election, bare-chested Nigerian women were ready to go onto the streets in protest. Someone said that was part of the calculations. "
"You know you are actually talking about Nigerians who were using the Obama name to do business and make quick profit. By the way what happened to your sister's Obama fund campaign? You mean she and other members of the Obama for Africa movement cannot persuade the U.S. President to come to Nigeria first?"
"Not fair. Obama should have visited Nigeria first. If only to come and say thank you to the Nigerian people. The U.S. Embassy will need to explain why we are being snubbed. We may not know how to organize free and fair elections, but we are a great nation."
"Good people too... Tell them make dem hear."
"I feel sad when I see how Ghana is now upstaging Nigeria in every respect."
"Ghana organizes good elections. And its leaders are better organised and more disciplined. Obama's visit to Ghana is to encourage both the people and government of Ghana to remain the shining Black Star of the West African coast. And a way of telling Nigeria to get its acts together"
"I know".
"Besides, Ghana has discovered oil in commercial quantities. Soon, the United States will buy oil from Ghana and ignore Nigeria and its Niger Delta problems. Also, the U.S. has adopted a new four cardinal-point strategy in Africa. It includes South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Egypt. Nigeria is not quite part of it."
"I hope our leaders are getting the message"
"They won't. Look, let's take a bet. I won't be surprised if in July, Nigerian leaders travel to Ghana to join the Ghanaians in receiving Obama. Can't you see that many Nigerians are now going to Ghana? Nigerian companies are setting up branches in Ghana, there are Nigerian-owned restaurants and shops in Accra, the population of Nigerian students in Ghanaian universities is very high and it keeps increasing. I know Nigerians who have bought homes in Ghana. Every weekend, they just hop across the border. It is 45 minutes by air. Accra is closer to Lagos than Abuja. So really, should we blame the Americans? Even Nigerians prefer to go to Ghana. In fact, I hear that Nigerians in Ghana are lobbying to be part of the Obama reception activities!"
"There will always be shameless Nigerians. But we need to rebuild this country. There were more foreign dignitaries at Jacob Zuma's inauguration than there were at Yar'Adua's inauguration. Countries like Tanzania and Rwanda have better international recognition than Nigeria."
"Don't worry yourself. In fact, if you ask me, I will recommend that President Yar'Adua should ask the Americans and the Ghanaians to invite him to the dinner for President Obama."
"God forbid. We are a sovereign nation."
"I know... I am sure somebody must have told Obama that they kidnap people in Nigeria. And he must have been advised not to put anything past those Niger Delta militants. They could organize and kidnap Obama and his wife. Or throw a shoe at him."
"Kidnap who? Throw a shoe at who?"
"Obama. Didn't somebody throw a shoe at George Bush in Baghdad?"
"Now, I am convinced that you are drunk".
"So why are you disturbing my drink with your sadness about Obama not coming to Nigeria? Okay, let me now play the Devil's advocate. Someone should go and tell that Obama that he does not know what he is missing. He should go and ask President Bill Clinton and President Jimmy Carter. Those are friends of Nigeria. When Clinton visited Nigeria, he enjoyed himself so much. Let Obama go to Ghana. He is free to prefer kenke to nkwobi. We are still the happiest people in the world and we thank God for that."
"Who is talking about happiness?"
"And tell President Yar'Adua not to worry. In fact, who are the Americans to tell us how to organize elections? We are a free country. We have the right to go to heaven the way we choose. President Yar'Adua should also organise a foreign trip. Let him fly over the United States and go to Canada, and from there let him go to Venezuela and Cuba on state visit. America too dey make yanga. Faure Gyassingbe Eyadema of Togo was here on a presidential visit, the same week they announced Obama's African trip. That was Nigeria's response to America's snobbery. Is Eyadema also not a President?"
"The United States is the most powerful country in the world. Who is Faure Eyadema?"
"Who talk so? Where were you when Maurice Iwu said we are in a position to teach America certain things about elections? Every country has its own strengths. Obama can go anywhere. Na him leg he dey take travel. That will not stop me from eating isi ewu... Baby, do you want another drink. Eh, another bottle for my darling here..."
"What's that?"
"I wasn't talking to you."
"Looks like whatever you are doing there is beginning to get to you. May be we should continue this conversation later."
"No. Don't worry. You think I am drunk? Na only bottle fit get drunk. Me, I am a human being. Anything else?"
"I am just sad. We are failing at home. We are losing international goodwill."
"You have said that before. Stop moaning. It's no big deal."
"Our President even wanted to visit the United States, they said no."
"Look, if it is about this Obama visit, forget it. On second thoughts, may be it is even a blessing in disguise. If the man had chosen to visit Nigeria, that would have been an opportunity for Nigerians to loot the treasury. By the time the man leaves, every state treasury will be near-empty. And we could have an Obama visit scandal on our hands. And come to think of it, you know Obama likes to play basketball. Suppose he invites President Yar'Adua while visiting to a game of basketball, one on one, and the man out of politeness agrees. And you know President Yar'Adua doesn't play basketball, he only plays squash. Me, I thank God o."
"Good for the Ghanaians".
"Don't worry, you can watch the visit on AIT, Channels TV etc live."
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I DONT GET IT ! DASH THEM 10Milion DOLLARS FOR WHAT ?
Sao tome with a population of about 150,000 roughly the population of Ikeja or Egbeda.
President Umaru Yar’Adua on Thursday defended the decision of his administration to grant a request for a $10m soft loan by the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, saying that it was to assist the government of that country address pressing socio-economic challenges.
In a letter to the House of Representatives seeking its approval for the loan, Yar’Adua explained that a stable socio-economic climate in Sao Tome and Principe would strengthen security in the Gulf Region.
The President allayed fears over repayment saying that the interest-free loan would be repaid between four and six years.
He, however, told the House that the total loan requested by Sao Tome and Principe was $30m out which the Federal Executive Council had approved $10m in the first instance while the balance of $20m would be considered subsequently.
Yar’Adua, who added that the loan would be sourced from his “contingency vote”, noted that his action was covered by Section 25 of the 1999 Constitution.
The President’s letter was read on the floor of the House by the Speaker, Mr. Dimeji Bankole.
Some members, however, raised objections, arguing that Yar’Adua should have the approval of the House before allowing FEC to endorse the loan.
Relying on Section 80 (4) of the 1999 Constitution, Mr. Halims Agoda, observed that no funds shall be withdrawn from government’s treasury without the approval of the National Assembly.
Agoda said the President sent the letter to the House as an afterthought as the “National Assembly has to approve it first before sending it to FEC.”
He, however, advised that a proper motion for the approval of the loan should be moved so it could be debated.
But, the Chief Whip of the House, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, drew the attention of members to Yar’Adua’s explanation that he was drawing the loan from his contingency vote, “which has already been approved by the National Assembly in the budget; so we do not need another approval.”
The Minority Leader, Alhaji Mohammed Ndume, disagreed with Ihedioha on the grounds that the same Yar’Adua had complained last week that his contingency vote in the 2009 budget was removed.
“So, where did he get another contingency vote from?” Ndume asked.
The House later referred the letter to the Committees on Appropriation and Finance to discuss it and come up with a motion for consideration by the House within one week.
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By Eugene Agha, 05.22.2009
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) were yesterday morning attacked by suspected drug barons in Abbi town, Kwale Local Government Area of Delta State, during an official assignment.
The attack left two of the officers dead, while three others sustained varying degree of bullet wounds and were hospitalised. Four of the officers that were abducted have also been released.
The officers were said to have been ambushed by drug barons on their way to the office on the outskirts of Abbi town, after successfully apprehending their target.
It will be recalled that Abbi town had become notorious for cannabis cultivation, as well as attacks on drug law enforcement agents.
In the past, several seizures of cannabis were made in the area, while several cannabis plantations had also been destroyed by NDLEA, under a special operation code named “Operation Burn The Weed.”
Policemen from Delta State Police Command have commenced investigation into the attack.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade, has described the attack as callous and unfortunate.
While commending the officers for their patriotism and loyalty to their country, Giade warned that drug barons must be prepared to pay for their cruel action.
“The officers have shown a rare sense of bravery and gallantry. People must understand the forces of the dark that we confront on a daily basis. Those responsible for this gruesome act have murdered sleep. We will not be deterred,” he said.
In a statement signed by NDLEA Head, Public Affairs, Ofoyeju Mitchell, he said the attack was the first major incident since 2004, when five officers of the agency were killed in Kano by drug dealers.
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A rather curious development project is currently under way in Badagry, Nigeria. Not only is it to become a multi-billion theme park commemorating former slaves, but also, will be dedicated to the Jackson Five.
Nigeria theme park
Marlon Jackson, a former member of the world famous Jackson Five band and a brother to the legendary Michael Jackson has become associated with a rather curious development project. To commemorate all the slaves taken from its shores, a magnificent theme park is to be built in the port of Badagry, Nigeria. It is not to be an ordinary theme park though. The developer has revealed an intention to invest an incredible $ 3.4 billion into this project.
The location is not just a randomly picked place. In fact, Badagry has been known as the major slave-trade port. Between 16th and 19th century, more than 10 million Africans were forced to leave their homes to be shipped away and enslaved for years. A replica of an old slave ship is to become part of the museum, which will be dedicated to a faithful portrayal of the slaves.
African beats and sense for rhythm have had a massive influence on music, especially in the 20th century. This aspect is also celebrated in the museum, and part of the exhibition are holograms of the Jackson Five.
Strangely enough, even though the project partially commemorates slavery in a humble and educational way - featuring exhibitions, a memorial, the slave ship, it is partially a luxurious resort. A golf course and multiple casinos as well as a five-star hotel will also become the major attractions here.
The developer presents the Badagry Theme Park project as an attempt to raise awareness as well as attract those African Americans who wish to trace their roots and return to visit their homeland. As a secondary goal, the tourist flow is meant to increase massively in Nigeria, to some 1.4 million visitors in the first year only. The project critics point out that even though the cause seems noble, the theme park is about to become yet another money making business with no other objectives. Hopefully, the future months will reveal the real benefits of the theme park.
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THE continued fall of naira against international currencies, particularly the dollar and pound sterling is having a serious consequence on Nigerians living in Dubai, United Arab Emirate.A survey carried out by TTH in Dubai and other Emirates of the UAE, recently, showed that Nigerians are migrating out of Dubai to other Asian countries in their thousands "because the fall of naira has been making mince meat of our efforts here".Investigation revealed that Nigerians were having a rosy time in Dubai, until June 2008, when the value of a dollar was being exchanged for N118, “since then, we have never have peace for the naira continued to slide while the dollar continued to wax strong and stronger.”Speaking with TTH, Abiodun Taiwo, a Nigerian and an HND, Marketing graduate of The Polytechnic, Ibadan “I came to Dubai in 1999 and because the naira was strong then, I had good reason to thank God. And so with many of us. But since June last year our stories have changed from better to worse."Most of us have started migrating back home. Some of us have left for China, Bangkok, Malaysia, USA.“In fact, the fall of naira is not having its consequences on Nigerians in Dubai alone, but on Dubai government too because as a Cargo Manager, the volume of trade between Nigeria and Dubai has dropped drastically. Just because the profit margin of goods and services is no longer encouraging.”Another Nigerian, Christopher Okey, who operates an African Kitchen at the back of a mosque at Deira District in Dubai, was full of lamentation about the fortunes of the naira. "My brother, (covering his head with his palm) we are suffering here. Our suffering is not in the hand of the Dubai Authority or their policy or police, no. We are crying under the yoke of the free fall of naira at the foreign market."Most of us are closing our shops and heading somewhere else. I am looking for a buyer for this place. Immediately I get a buyer, I am off, either to Nigeria or Japan."Last year when you were here, you saw how busy I was. This place, (pointing to the upper floor of his restaurant) was always full. I always have hectic time attending to thousands of customers, but you can see for yourself now. How many customers have been here since?"Our fortune is dwindling because less people are coming from Nigeria to trade here".He appealed to the Federal Government to do “some arithmetics and tinker with the value of the naira and prevent its further slide at the international market.”
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Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Tuesday, told the Financial Services Committee of the United States' House of Representatives, how he was offered $15m by a governor in the Niger Delta to drop corruption charges against him.former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Nuhu RibaduRibadu, whose dismissal from the Nigerian Police Force was still being challenged in the court, is a visiting fellow of the St. Anthony's College, University of Oxford. He was at the US House on invitation by the committee.The former EFCC boss who insisted that the Niger Delta problem was being compounded by corruption, stated that the commission, under his leadership also made efforts to help tackle the problem.He revealed that an unnamed former state governor from the oil-rich region had offered him $15m in cash to stop an investigation against him, adding that the commission still went ahead to charge the governor for the plundering of his state resources as well as the bribe offer.He however lamented that the said governor was today a free man in Nigeria, where he wields power in the Peoples Democratic Party-led government and in the country as a whole.He said that such instances of treating some corrupt state officials with kids gloves, by the current administration, was responsible for the dwindling success of the anti-graft crusade.Ribadu said, "Indeed, one of the governors of the Delta that we investigated offered me $15m in cash to stop the investigation against him."We charged him both for the theft of state revenues and for the bribery attempt. Sadly today, he is still one of the most powerful political figures in both the ruling party and the country."This clearly highlights the problem of the Delta - money meant to have gone for development has gone to very few hands and is used for negative ends."In 2003/4, almost 100,000 barrels of oil was stolen daily; by 2005/6, we had managed to reduce this to 10,000 barrels per day. We also secured convictions for kidnappers in the Delta, who were driving the cycle of violence and bribery with the private oil companies.Ribadu, who lauded the political will of the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to pursue anti-corruption war, said that the current administration only paid lip service to the crusade.He said, "But the policy today in Nigeria is to use all the right rhetoric - speaking of the need for rule of law and the fight against corruption - to cover-up their real campaign to completely undo the reform efforts of the previous government and so thoroughly confuse corruption and anti-corruption that no one can sort out which is which any longer."This is why today, many of the law enforcement agencies that used to work hand-in-hand with the EFCC are no longer willing to partner with the EFCC or the Nigerian Justice Department. The issue of integrity is paramount in such relationships."Corruption makes democracy impossible because it subverts the will of the people. A select few, with so much money and authority, continue to steal elections and make a mockery of the notion of government by the people or for the people."The unholy alliance between local political elites and western financial institutions has been the foundation of this narrative of shame. The best illustration yet is the now famous Halliburton/KBR scandal where, as a Nigerian newspaper recently reported, our leaders received "stacks of US dollar bills in briefcases and sometimes in bullion vans" until some $185m had been exchanged for a contract to build a liquefied natural gas plant."The other famous case is the Siemens scandal. According to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Siemens made approximately $12.7m in "suspicious payments" for Nigerian projects, including to government customers for four telecommunications projects. The total value of the four contracts was approximately $130m. There are many other instances.
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Before Marriage:please baby Oh I love you . After Marriage: You ? Love ?i, oh baby please !
He: Yes. At last, it was so hard to wait.
She: Do you want me to leave?
He: NO! Don't even think about it.
She: Do you love me?
He: Of course! Over and over!
She: Have you ever cheated on me?
He: NO! Why are you even asking?
She: Will you kiss me?
He: Every chance I get!
She: Will you hit me?
He: Are you crazy! I'm not that kind of person!
She: Can I trust you?
He: Yes.
She: Darling!
After marriage
Read from bottom to top
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(CNN) -- An international manhunt was under way Thursday for a New Zealand couple who fled after a bank mistakenly paid them NZ$10 million (US$6 million) when they applied for a loan of just NZ$10,000.
Westpac bank paid the couple 1,000 times the amount they asked for.
New Zealand authorities said they had sought the help of Interpol in locating the couple who disappeared May 7, two days after an employee error at Westpac bank paid them 1,000 times the amount they asked for.
The accidental millionaires, who have not been identified by authorities but are believed to come from the resort of Rotorua, were thought to have left the country, police said.
"At this time I am not prepared to disclose the amount of money involved, name the individuals or business involved, or discuss which country the individuals may be in right now," said Detective Senior Sergeant David Harvey of the New Zealand police. Watch as 'millionaires' go on the run »
The bank, too, would only say it was "pursuing vigorous criminal and civil action to recover a sum of money stolen."
However, local media and many Rotorua residents were abuzz about the amount.
TVNZ, a CNN television affiliate, said the couple applied for a NZ$ 10,000 (US$ 6,000) loan for a service station they owned.
On or about May 5, the bank erroneously put NZ$ 10 million (US$ 6 million) into their bank account. What would you do in this situation?
The next day, the service station closed its doors. And the day after, the couple went missing, TVNZ said.
"Saturday, Sunday, we realized something else was up," Rotorua resident Tania Davies told the station. "They'd done a runner."
Another resident, Chevi Lambert, said a private investigator came by asking about the couple over the weekend.
"It's such a big world, he could just disappear," Lambert said.
Police said the bank had recovered part of the money, indicating the couple may not have been able to access the entire amount.
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You Go GIRL ! Dem say we too like money ! I hope say ya husband understand o !
The deal was highly sumptuous and tempting. A whopping $500,000 for a lead role in a high budget movie that will cost the producer $40 million in America's Hollywood. But she rejected the offer. Sultry Nollywood actress, Omoni Oboli, stunned many when the news broke recently in Los Angeles, USA, that she has rejected a plum offer to play a lead role in a movie that would have launched her into international stardom.
http://www.9jamovies.com your one stop for nigerian movies gathered that beautiful Omoni was approached by an American producer doing a movie about the saga of women in Africa. She was said to have been offered the lead role with a fee of $500,000. In her script were three completely nude scenes where Omoni would be expected to play a character having sex with three different men.
According to the reports, Omoni, who is married and has three kids, turned down the script and spurned the princely $500,000 (N90 million) offer. She said she would only take the role if the three nude scenes are removed or modified by the American producer. But the producer, who is not ready to alter his script, refused and Omoni reportedly turned her back on the steamy role, and walked away. The deal would have shot her straight to a multi-millionaire status and made her the highest paid actress in the history of Nollywood.
When contacted on phone, the actress said it was embarrassing that the outside world still thinks that with enough pay, you could just bend down and do any trash. “I made it known to him (the producer) that in my culture, you are only subject to your husband. I truly love my husband and he does too,” Omoni said. Sounding a note of warning, she said; “I don't believe actresses in our country have gone so low to get this kind of pay, but there are some who believe that acting nude can help them get a house in VGC or Lekki; they should, however, think twice.”
http://www.9jamovies.com gathered from sources that reactions have trailed her rejection of the role. Many considered the rejection strange given the global economic situation and considering that some Nollywood actresses will stop at nothing to make that kind of money or star in a Hollywood movie. Omoni is one of Nollywood's newest acting divas. The graduate of Foreign Languages from the University of Benin has featured in many top Nollywood flicks. She also featured in Kunle Afolayan's latest movie, The Figurine.
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We expected Danny The Boss Springsteen Gokey or Adam rock King Lambert. But charlie na kris allen ! !
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Whoa. So it's really true: Kris Allen is the new American Idol.
Really. Seriously? This is the biggest upset—well, ever, in the show's eight seasons. Even more than when Chris Daughtry was voted out or when Ruben Studdard beat Clay Aiken. It wasn't just that Adam was pimped out by the judges more than any Idol contestant this season—Paula practically crowned him the winner when he sang "Black or White" 11 weeks ago—it's that he really was the best vocalist we've ever seen on Idol. Simon Cowell has even said that he thinks Adam's going to be an international star.
So what went wrong? Here are the top seven reasons why Adam Lambert lost American Idol.
1. Blame the judges. Just like it's now bad karma to be the front runner in the Oscar race (as Frost/Nixon can tell you) or the presidential election (as Hillary Clinton can tell you), it also doesn't help if you're the foregone winner of Idol long before the season is over. And here is where the judges didn't help Adam's case. Week after week, they didn't just praise him; they declared him The. Greatest. Singer. Ever. In. All. Of. History. Yes, he's a rock god, but when there's a preconceived notion that you've got the Idol crown in the bag, it makes your fans lazy and you lose votes. Kris Allen, on the other hand, consistently delivered solid performances and received mildly positive reviews from the judges. His fans felt like they had to fight harder to keep him in the contest.
2. But you should especially blame Kara DioGuardi. The new judge hasn't been getting much love from the blogosphere—especially after her gaffes involving "Studio 57" (she meant "Studio 54") and "Saturday Night Live" (she meant "Saturday Night Fever")—but she really proved to be the Joe Biden of Idol after she co-wrote the worst coronation song ever, "No Boundaries." The last song is usually how Simon manipulates America into voting for his favorite contestant, by unleashing a parade of superlatives. Not this year. "No Boundaries" was such a train wreck that neither of the contestants could pull it off. It literally left all the judges speechless, including Kara, who said she wasn't going to judge Kris based on her own song. Huh? In the end, the confusion was good for Kris. The judges weren't able to make one big last push for Adam.
3. Did we mention that Adam is a rock god? Idol has always favored syrupy balladeers or pop singers. It doesn't matter how well you can rock out—ask Chris Daughtry or Bo Bice or Carly Smithson or even Allison Iraheta. Rockers don't win American Idol.
4. The Christian factor. Last week, I wrote about how Adam (who hasn't spoken about his religious beliefs on the show) might be hurt by the fact that he was going up against two devout Christian finalists, Kris and Danny Gokey. Most of Gokey's fans probably ended up voting for Kris over Adam, giving him the boost he needed to win. You could say—as many of you have in the comments—that religion is an irrelevant criterion for judging a singing competition. But the fact remains that Idol is one of TV's most family-friendly shows, and it draws a large number of Christian viewers. Five out of seven of the past Idol winners have been very vocal about their Christian faith. Kris Allen had the edge here.
5. The gay factor. Adam Lambert hasn't talked about his sexuality publicly, but TV Guide reported that he was "openly gay," Perez Hilton reported on his (alleged) boyfriend and there are photos circulating online of someone who looks like him kissing another guy. This shouldn't be an issue in 2009. But if you've read any of online chatter about Idol this year, you know that sadly, there's still plenty of hate out there. Adam has millions of fans, and it looked like he could strike an emphatic blow against homophobia, much the same way that Obama broke through the race barrier when he became the country's first black president. But his ambiguous sexuality still cost Adam votes.
6. The youth vote. Remember last week, when they played footage of Kris and Adam visiting their hometowns? Both were met with adoring crowds, but only one was greeted by wailing tween girls who looked like they were in the presence of a long-lost Jonas brother. Kris was the heartthrob who covered Kayne West and dressed like Chace Crawford. Lambert was the Broadway kid who sang Aerosmith and wore eyeliner. The girl vote went to Kris, an important victory—tween girls are the diehards who stay up for hours after the show texting and calling in their votes.
7. In the end, Adam was the better singer, but Kris might have been the more unique artist, despite what the judges said. Don't believe me? Prior to the finale, here are the Adam performances I most remember: "Black and White," "Tracks of My Tears," "Mad World," "If I Can't Have You." Here's Kris's list: "Ain't No Sunshine," "Falling Slowly," "She Works Hard for Her Money," "Heartless." Which songs are you more likely to have on your iPod? Kris beats Adam on mine. They're both terrific guys who have great careers ahead of them. But maybe Kris is the more deserving American Idol after all.
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Nigeria: call for end of LGBT (lesbians gays bisexuals and transexuals) discrimination on the International Day against Homophobia and TransphobiaWed, May 20, 2009NIGERIA 18 May 2009: Two non-governmental organisations in Lagos urged the three tiers of government to stop discriminating against homosexuals, lesbians and gay people. Officials of The Independent Project for Equal Rights (TIPER) and The International Centre for Sexual Reproductive Rights (INCRESE) made the appeal at a news briefing. They explained that the briefing was part of their preparation for Sunday’s celebration of the annual International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). They regretted that discrimination on the basis of age, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity had become a major concern for human rights organisations in Nigeria. Mrs Dorothy Aken Ova, Executive Director of INCRESE urged the protection of the fundamental rights of homosexuals and lesbians. She also urged the enlightenment of Nigerians to enable them to realise that gays had a right to life. “Research findings have shown that four per cent of the world population is gay and should be recognised by government through adequate representation, good education and acceess to the basic necessities of life. These people, though in the minority, did not create themselves. They should, therefore, enjoy the right to live their lives. The public must learn to respect them for who they are because if we begin to feel bad for one another, we will be calling for the destruction of some people, thus inviting genocide” she said.Ova noted that homosexuals, lesbians and the gay formed part of the electorate that voted for the various governments, charging them to take care of them. She urged the Federal Government to domesticate the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Mr Joseph Akoro, an Executive Director of TIPER, also urged the Federal Government to consider its commitment to the protection of all Nigerians from all forms of discrimination. He said the NGOs were collaborating to create awareness about the existence of gays in the country. Mr Victor Ogbodo, a member of the NGO, said the society would benefit more from accepting them. “If they are accepted by the public for what they are, there will be less marital problems because members of the opposite sex will have known before getting married to them. But if the society fails to accept them now and the issue begins to rear its head after marriage, we may only just be postponing the evil day,” he said.Ogbodo charged the government to protect the rights of all its citizens since the fundamental human rights of all Nigerians were enshrined in Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution. He said that the groups were not considering sponsoring any bill at the National Assembly on the issue for now, “but we will begin to kick against any further restriction on our rights. “In future, should the need arise for us to sponsor a bill on their behalf, we will surely do so” he added.
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Below are the winners for each category:REGGAE/DANCEHALL ALBUMGIFT AND GRACE by TimayaBEST R ‘N’ B/ POP ALBUMGONGO ASO by 9iceBEST RAP ALBUMTALK ABOUT IT by M. I.BEST COLLABO“GOOD OR BAD” - J Martins featuring Timaya & P-SquareALBUM OF THE YEARGONGO ASO by 9iceARTISTE OF THE YEAR9iceSONG OF THE YEAR“GONGO ASO” - 9iceRECORDING OF THE YEAR“MITCHELL” – EtceteraPRODUCER OF THE YEARID CABASA for “GONGO ASO” by 9iceBEST MUSIC VIDEOJUDE OKOYE for Roll It by P-SquareBEST RAP SINGLE“KINI BIG DEAL” - Naeto CBEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (MALE)“DON’T BREAK MY HEART”- BANKY WBEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)OMAWUNMI for “IN THE MUSIC”NEXT RATEDOMAWUNMI (“IN THE MUSIC”)HIP HOP WORLD REVELATION - Best new artisteMILYRICIST ON THE ROLLMODE 9 for “NINE”BEST STREET HOP (single)“O FO KA SI BE” - DJ Zeez (Now to be known as ZEEZ)HIPHOP WORLD HALL OF FAME INDUCTEESGRAND MASTER LEEPHILLIP TRIMNELLWELL DONE TO ALL THE WINNERS
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Prospective Ghanaian travelers who are eager to ply their skills in Europe now have a better option to avoid the tribulations which illegal migrants are subjected to travelling across the Sahara Desert.Through a scheme which is to become operational next March, 1,000 skilled Ghanaian workers are to be engaged in Italy annually for a two-year contract, making it unnecessary for them to risk the Sahara route.The job-matching scheme which is being jointly organized b Ghana’s Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, the Labour Department, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Ministry of the Interior of Italy.The Director of the National Migration Bureau, Mrs. Adelaide Anno-Kunu, told the Daily Graphic that the programme was to encourage legal travel among Ghanaians and curb the incidence of illegal migration to Italy and other European countries.According to a World Bank report, an estimated 70,000 of Africa’s most qualified people leave each year and he continent spends $4 billion to replace them with expatriate workers. A BBC report indicates that many of the immigrants pay human smugglers to get them across the Sahara or the Mediterranean Sea but die on the way.Many Ghanaians have migrated to other countries, especially in Europe and the Americas, through illegal channels. Some of them, including highly qualified professionals, often find themselves engaged in menial jobs in those countries.Some of the illegal migrants are languishing in jails in Europe, Latin America and Asia. In Trinidad and Tobago, 22 Ghanaians who are alleged to have illegally migrated there recently, are reported to be languishing in prison.Mrs. Anno-Kunu said by March next year the government would advertise the job opportunities in Italy and spell out details of the requirements for prospective applicants, adding that it would offer the jobs to persons whose expertise were needed in Italy.She said the stakeholders would come up with a policy and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on how to streamline the travel formalities.For instance, she said they would consider whether prospective employees needed to pay for their travelling expenses or the employers would do that.Besides, Mrs. Anno-Kunu said the MoU would require the employers to ensure that the employees returned to Ghana after the two-year contract.She stressed the need for the beneficiaries to return home after the end of their contracts to make way for others to also benefit.She said 12 officials from the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, the Labour Department and the IOM would undertake the project of identifying matching jobs in Italy, register applicants and begin a training programme by the middle of June this year.She said the 12 officials, comprising verification, data entry and cultural orientation officers, would have their final training in Rome, Italy, between September and October this year.Mrs. Anno-Kunu explained that the training was to build the capacities of the officers to identify quality job opportunities in Italy vis-à-vis what pertained in Ghana.They would also learn how to enter the information of applicants in a database and teach them about the cultural perceptions and the climate of Ital, she said.The main causes of migration in Africa are conflicts, poverty, political reasons an environmental degradation, according to the United Nations Secretariat Department of Economic and Social Affairs Statistics Division.Source: Daily Graphic
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THE PLOTTED EXILE OF ADENUGA AS A RESULT OF ENVYThe problem that the billionaire Chairman of GLOBACOM, had with former President Olusegun Obasanjo was masterminded by Alhaji Aliko Dangote. And the cause was mere envy of the ever rising status of the siilent but meticulous multi-billionaire, MIKE ADENUGA.It all started when Adenuga acquired the old National Oil which he transformed to Conoil.Chemical Ali as Aliko was called went to town claiming that Adenuga used funds from Bureau of Public Enterprise.Same thing reared its ugly head when Adenuga acquired the second National Carrier Licence which enabled him to join the world mega business of telecommunication. He smeared the names of Adenuga and former vice president, Atiku Abubakar.He claimed that Atiku who oversaw the then Petroleum Trust Fund helped pay for the licence from the Fund's cover.This was the final straw that brokes the camels back of camaraderie between Atiku and his former boss Obasanjo.These incidents made the guru Adenuga is fondly called to go on voluntary exile.Adenuga's sin s according to Dangote's gospel is due to his unapproachability.He claimed that the guru was too arrogant, tacltum and always elusive to the extent that Adenuga could not be asked for favours like using his private jet because his own jet, a rickety 14 year old NS 125 old cargo which he bought from the Federal Government always breakdown constantly without notice and also because Adenuga is richer than him.The hatred for Adenuga got worse few years ago during one of the editions of Nduka Obiagbena's. This Day Awards.In that year's edition of the award despite the fact that the GLOBACOM boss was not present physically as against ALIKO who there live, Adenuga was the cynosure of all eyes as his representatives were busy collecting awards after another on his behalf whilst DANGOTE with all his pride and ego was just there looking at the glory of ADENUGA without a single award.Since then the attempt to ruin Adenuga started because he didn't want anybody to surpass him. To further humiliate Adenuga after he had succeeded in setting EFCC after him, 'CHEMICAL ALI' was always dramatisiing how Adenuga was behaving when he was to be arrested by EFCC operatives and during this time one will always see him holding white hhanderchief and waving it at the EFCC operatives which signals peace as Adenuga was pleading.
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