0:00
Nigeria on Monday staged an uncommon
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welcoming ceremony to appreciate and
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celebrate the country women football
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team who may be apparently correct to be
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described as winning queens of Africa as
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they landed at the Nambdi Azakiway
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International Airport in Abuja after the
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Super Falcons of Nigeria defeated the
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host Lionusids of Morocco by 3 to2 in a
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breathtaking and thrilling final
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football match held in Rabbat the
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capital city of Morocco on Saturday
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marking the 10th triumph of the Super
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Falcons on the continental stage after
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the previous triumphs in the Women's
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Africa Cup of Nations, WFC
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consecutively in 1998, 2000, 2002,
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2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, and
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recently for the 2024 Africa continental
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women tournaments. this many top
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government officials most especially
0:58
governors and ministers like the
1:00
governors of Kaduna Ubisani governor of
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Quirre Abdul Rahman Abdul Razak and Iho
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state hope gathered for hours at the
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Nambi Azakiwwayi international airport
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Abuja waiting the super queens of Africa
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to arrive and after welcoming the women
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football icons home the governors led
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the amazing stars of Africa to the West
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Africa country's presidential villa
1:23
known as where President Bola Ahmed
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Tonubu conferred on the 24 Super Falcons
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football players and the 11 member
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technical team, the national honors
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awards of officer of the Order of Niger
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O and gifted them houses each in Abuja
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each for the 24 women players which
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total sum is approximately equivalent to
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3.6 6 billion naira based on 1,500
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naira exchange rate to a dollar pegged
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by the president for the 2025 financial
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year in the country. And in addition,
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the president gifted the 11 member
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technical team of the Super Falcons
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$50,000 each, which approximately
2:07
represent a total of $825
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million naira, bringing the total cash
2:16
million naira. During the presentation,
2:18
President Boler Ahmed said he never
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wanted to watch the match because he did
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not want to have high blood pressure,
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adding that the Super Falcons kept him
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hungrier as his wife. The first lady of
2:30
Nigeria, Olarmy Tanubu was at the
2:32
kitchen preparing his food while
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watching the match, emphasizing, "The
2:37
first lady almost abandoned his dinner
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because of the football match and the
2:41
Super Falcons on Monday could be seen
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singing, praising, and dancing with the
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first lady. Our tonubu by thus reversing
2:48
the negativity of the popular viral song
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of n your mama be this to n our mama be
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this to accept the first lady as the
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mother of all in the nation which could
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be recalled that earlier in the year
3:01
specifically in the month of March the
3:04
first lady senator Tonubu was at the
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dome event center in Asada in Delta
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state as part of her renewed hope
3:12
initiative project and during her visit
3:14
a video clip of Nigeria Nursing students
3:17
rejecting the first lady as the mother
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of all in the nation went viral and
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became a popular song that was remixed
3:23
by many to their desired tastes and
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lyrics. After the viral clip showed the
3:28
events master of ceremony had introduced
3:31
Olarmy to Nubu as everyone's mother, a
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common title for first ladies in the
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country, the nursing students refused to
3:38
accept the designation. And when the MC
3:40
declared na our mama be this translated
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as this is our mother the students
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responded in unison now your mama be
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this translated as this is your mother
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signaling their rejection of the title.
3:54
According to Beo Onuga, the spokesperson
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to the Nigeria president on media,
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President Boltonubu has conferred
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national honors on all 24 players and
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the 11 member technical team of
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Nigeria's senior women's national
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football team, the Super Falcons,
4:12
following their historic victory at the
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2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations,
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in Morocco at the presidential reception
4:25
President Tonubu awarded each player and
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technical crew member the title of
4:29
officer of the order of the Niger O. He
4:33
also directed the allocation of one
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three-bedroom apartment to each player
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and technical crew member in the
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government's renewed hope housing
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scheme. The president approved a cash
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award of the Naira equivalent of
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$100,000 to each of the 24 players and
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$50,000 equivalent to each technical
4:51
team member. You have inspired millions,
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especially young girls who now see proof
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that the dreams are valid and
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achievable. You have inspired me, too.
5:02
And it's great for a nation to have
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assets that are the hope of today,
5:05
tomorrow, and the day after. You
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represent that hope. You ignited that
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hope, and we will continue to encourage
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you, the next generation, and other
5:15
generations after you, President Tonubu
5:18
said amid cheers from the jubilant team.
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The president recounted the emotional
5:23
moments of the final match, noting how
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the team's performance lifted the
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nation's spirits and united Nigerians
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from all walks of life. Your victory
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represents more than a sporting
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accomplishment. It is a triumph of
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courage, determination, discipline, and
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consistency. Honestly, I didn't want to
5:42
watch the match. I didn't want to have
5:45
high blood pressure, but people came in
5:47
and turned my TV on that channel. when
5:50
it was 2 to zero. I got very offended
5:53
and restless. But I was still watching
5:55
with the spirit of resilience,
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determination, and courage. And after
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that penalty, my strength was lifted.
6:03
And I believe that of the nation was
6:05
lifted, too. But you almost made me
6:08
angrier, hungrier, because your mother,
6:10
the first lady, was in the kitchen
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nearly abandoning my dinner. She doesn't
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watch the game except when the girls are
6:17
playing. And at the end of the final
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whistle, it was joy all over the
6:21
country, he said. The president assured
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the team of his administration's
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continued support and commitment to
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sports development, pledging that the
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government would invest further in
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women's football and youth talent
6:33
development across the country. Your
6:36
story is a story of hope and in this era
6:39
of renewed hope, we celebrate you not
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just as champions of Africa, but as
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champions of the Nigerian dream. In a
6:46
further show of appreciation, the
6:48
chairman of the Nigeria Governor's
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Forum, NGF, Governor Abdul Rahman Abdul
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Razak, also announced a donation of 10
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million naira to each of the players and
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technical team members on behalf of the
7:01
36 state governors. The first lady,
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Senator Oli Tanubu, described the Super
7:07
Falcons as role models and shining
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examples of courage and excellence. She
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congratulated the team for their
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exceptional performance and unwavering
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spirit, describing their journey as a
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testament to resilience, teamwork, and
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determination. You played with passion,
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confidence, and an unshakable belief in
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yourselves that it is not over until it
7:29
is over. The zeal you displayed on the
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pitch was nothing short of
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inspirational. You never wavered and
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reminded the world why Nigeria remains a
7:38
powerhouse in African women's football.
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The first lady prayed for the team's
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continued success and shared an earlier
7:45
conversation with President Tonubu about
7:47
the team's bright future as world
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champions. I told Mr. President this
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morning that you are going on to win the
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World Cup and he thought I was too
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ambitious. But Ajabad the team captain
8:01
just seconded that and that is possible.
8:03
He said Super Falcon's captain Rashid
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Ajabad said the victory was for the team
8:09
and for every Nigerian girl who dreams
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of achieving greatness. Today I stand
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before you not just as the captain of
8:16
the Super Falcons but as a proud
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daughter of Nigeria carrying the dreams,
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resilience and spirit of our great
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nation. She said, "On behalf of my
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teammates, coaches, and technical staff,
8:30
I express our heartfelt gratitude for
8:32
this warm reception and the unwavering
8:34
belief you have shown in us."
8:36
Emphasizing the significance of the 10th
8:40
title, the team captain said, "This
8:43
victory is not just a trophy. It is a
8:46
testament to the unyielding spirit of
8:48
Nigeria. It is a celebration of every
8:50
young girl in our villages, towns, and
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cities who dares to dream. This 10th
8:56
title is for you, Mr. President, for
8:59
Nigerians, for super falcons, and for
9:02
every young child who believes and
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dreams to be on this stage someday.
9:06
Ajabad called for continued support from
9:09
the government and stakeholders to
9:11
elevate Nigeria's global standing in
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women's football. Chairman of the
9:15
National Sports Commission, Sheru Diko,
9:18
described the team's victory as a symbol
9:20
of national unity, inspiration, and the
9:23
triumph of belief, courage, and
9:25
excellence. Do credited President
9:28
Tonubu's administration with investing
9:30
in sports development and women's
9:32
empowerment. The Super Falcon's triumph
9:35
is a fruit of your unwavering support
9:37
for sports and women. You have always
9:40
believed that sports can unite us, heal
9:42
us and uplift our spirits as one of the
9:45
major drivers of the economy. And today
9:48
we have seen it happen, he stated. He
9:51
commended the first lady, Senator Ol
9:54
Tonubu, for her constant support for our
9:57
women in sports. This win goes beyond
10:00
sports. It is a powerful symbol of our
10:02
national unity and cohesion. In those 90
10:05
minutes, Nigerians everywhere from the
10:08
north, south, east and west held their
10:11
breath, prayed together, cheered the
10:13
team and finally celebrated together.
10:16
That is the power of sports and indeed
10:18
the power of our women in sports. He
10:21
said in an earlier press release on
10:23
Sunday, Beo Onuga said, "President Boler
10:27
Tonubu has expressed his delight at the
10:29
Super Falcon's spectacular victory at
10:32
the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations,
10:37
stating that he eagerly looks forward to
10:39
receiving the trophy in Abuja." In a
10:42
post-match video call with team captain
10:44
Rashid Ajabad, her teammates and
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Nigerian officials, President Tonubu
10:50
congratulated the team on securing a
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record 10th continental title and
10:54
lifting the nation's spirits. I am very
10:57
very proud of you. The entire nation is
11:00
proud of you. You have lifted our
11:02
spirits. You are a pride to your
11:04
generation and we are all very happy.
11:07
You will be celebrated and I
11:09
congratulate all the coaches and
11:10
management of the team including the
11:12
ministers and the officials. He said the
11:16
president extended his best regards to
11:18
Rashid Tajabad who emerged as the
11:20
tournament's most valuable player and
11:22
clinched the woman of the tournament
11:24
award. He also praised Esther Okonquo's
11:27
composure during a crucial moment in the
11:29
final, describing her 64th minute
11:32
penalty kick, which sparked a dramatic
11:34
comeback as very courageous. Okarono
11:38
created the second goal and delivered
11:40
the decisive free kick that Jennifer
11:42
Echini converted to seal Nigeria's 3-2
11:45
victory. Safe journey home. Enjoy
11:48
yourselves. Avoid injuries. God bless
11:51
you. The president told the jubilant
11:53
players and officials who repeatedly
11:55
interjected with, "Thank you, Mr.
11:58
President." Responding on behalf of the
12:00
team, Hajjabad thanked the president for
12:03
approving the full payment of players
12:05
allowances. She assured him the team was
12:08
eager to present him with the WFC
12:11
trophy in Abuja. The lively exchange
12:14
ended with a spirited rendition of the
12:16
national anthem and three thunderous
12:18
boa. Cheers for the president.
12:24
I didn't want to watch too much.
12:29
I didn't want high blood pressure.
12:38
turn my TV on that channel
13:02
I was there still watching
13:05
the interior spirit of resilience,
13:11
determination and courage.
13:22
And after that penalty
13:26
and I saw the true one,
13:29
my spirit was lifted
13:32
and I believe that of the nation,
13:37
that of the nation too was lifted.
13:40
But what you almost did
13:47
because your mother was in the kitchen
13:50
almost abandoning my
14:04
watch except the girls are the one
14:13
And she kept running. We have won.
14:17
I said you are not yet done.
14:22
And at the end of the final whistle,
14:25
it was all excitement all over the
14:33
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