'The national anthem is very bland and uninspiring' - Etcetera writes | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Saturday 12 July 2014

'The national anthem is very bland and uninspiring' - Etcetera writes

Etcetera now doesn't think our national anthem is inspiring enough. Find his thoughts below...
After hearing of the proposal of some delegates at the ongoing confab that we should revert to the old national anthem, I sat by my piano and played both anthems. Playing and singing to the current anthem “Arise O’ Compatriot” was basically easy because I had done that countless times and I wasn’t even looking at the piano keys as I sang through the verses. I downloaded the lyrics of the old anthem just to be sure I was singing the right words. I know the tune by heart because my dad frequently sang it to me when I was a little school boy. And I felt nothing as usual singing it. But right from the first line of the old anthem “Nigeria We Hail Thee,” I felt a strange sense of pride and patriotism. I felt very strange because like every Nigerian, I am saddened that as a country, we have lost our way. 

We are a giant tied to undeveloped nations, and kept in bondage by our leaders whose corruption and greed demonstrate a lack of love for their own people. As I got to the point that says “Though tribes and tongues may differ and in brotherhood we stand,” I discovered that I had stopped playing the piano and was just reciting the words. Struck with the fact that the composers took to mind our vast ethnic differences and even proffered a solution that in “brotherhood” we will stand strong against adversaries, home or foreign. Our tribal and ethnic differences have been at the bottom of every problem we have faced as a country.

President Obasanjo had all the right in the world to dream, a leader who does not dream, hardly accomplishes much, but my point is that a leader has to dream right, and not take the nation on a pipe dream. There were lots of bridges our nation needed to cross at that time. There were lots of things a good leader should have seen happen, before going after such an unwarranted project of changing the national anthem. Singing further, it became clear to me why the old anthem must have been changed immediately I saw the line that says “To hand on to our children a banner without stain.” The words of this anthem can only resonate in a country with moral leadership, starting from its leaders and permeating all tiers of the government from top to bottom. Corruption is no longer a problem in Nigeria as it has become a full fledge institution and a way of life.

Every morning at schools, chorus of voices try to hit the high notes of the current anthem, which have proved uninspiring even for the little kids. Ask our politicians why they always muffle the lyrics. In fact, many people consider ours the world’s least singable national anthem. I think it is time for a revert to the old anthem. Just like the confab delegates have pointed out.

It is obvious that we can no longer be comforted by the drum roll in the current national anthem. I haven’t seen any Nigerian smiling with pride whenever it is being played. I am sure Pa Odiase won’t be smiling at me now from heaven for saying this. But truth be told, the music of our current anthem has failed to inspire one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.

A lot of Nigerians have become too comfortable being tone-deaf and have resisted every attempt for their hearing to be restored. A lot of Nigerians love the tone of deceit as much as to dance to it. I have sung the current anthem countless times but my literary appreciation and criticism would not allow me to accept it. I kept asking myself what evil have we committed as a nation to warrant our leaders to seek escape from a vow to “hand over to our children a banner without stain.” They have changed the prayers in the old anthem to fading echos. Little wonder the country is at the brink of collapse.

We love Nigeria and believe in her great potential, but we must also address issues of oppression and injustice within her as written in the old anthem. I love the part that says “Our flag shall be a symbol that truth and justice reigns.” Today, wherever you find the Nigerian flag, it is either torn or rumpled so bad or on make-shift poles that you wonder if our leaders in government and people ever consider such symbols as important at all. How can you indoctrinate your people on how to appreciate and value their citizenship and nationality if symbols like that mean nothing to you? And when you don’t value what you have, how do you expect other nationals to value it? It all boils down to the nation doing what it needs to do to make its citizen proud to belong. Our governments, state and federal, just don’t value such things.

The current anthem talks about love. But our political leaders show only love for themselves and their immediate family. We are living the opposite of everything called for in the current anthem. Our leaders with their blindness are unable to see the car crash waiting to happen. They should know that the history of this nation can never be altered or erased no matter how hard they try.

THE OLD ANTHEM (1960- 1978)
Nigeria we hail thee, Our own dear native land, Though tribes and tongues may differ, In brotherhood we stand, Nigerians all are proud to serve, Our sovereign Motherland.
Our flag shall be a symbol, That truth and justice reign, In peace or battle honour’d, And this we count as gain, To hand on to our children, A banner without stain.
O God of all creation, Grant this our one request, Help us to build a nation, Where no man is oppressed, And so with peace and plenty, Nigeria may be blessed.

141 comments:

Unknown said...

Hehe! Obiakwa ozo....u don with celebs? Now ur country? Ok continue.

Anonymous said...

This one is always on his PERIOD, that's why he's so grumpy. #gay anonymous#

Anonymous said...

Can someone pls put a penis in this man's mouth to keep him shut, he talks too much #gay anonymous#

Anonymous said...

Who be this abegi.

Nez said...

And how will that stop boko haram, make our light stable, put food on our table, stop corruption, make us win w/cup(the brazilian experience against germany lol) etc

Anonymous said...

Absolutely agree

Anonymous said...

True talk. When Koffi still used to do a radio program on Cityfm 105.1, he made mention of this Issue. He said we should make our 2nd stanza of our National Anthem the 1st because of the message it preaches.

Unknown said...

when someone has something to say about everything...

Unknown said...

Hmmmmm! I love ur spirit. Kip d good work.

Anonymous said...

Yeah yeah. But the anthem doesn't change peoples way of thinking . Becayse of brotherhood doesn't mean boko haram would stop

Unknown said...

Yes! Let's port! The old one make sence die!!!

Cocoz said...

I support both the Confab delegates and Ecetera....the words of the old anthm brought shivers down my mind (yea,it did). I support the motion to revert bck to the old anthem!

Anonymous said...

And u think I have such time to read all of these???? PWEEESSSE


Richard branch here

optionplayer said...

the old anthem had love mentioned where has that gone ! greed sleaze me me take take is now the mode ! must change or we will all go deranged ?

Anonymous said...

Linda ikeji is making this guy popular.

Unknown said...

This guy is confused

Unknown said...

Can someone tell this guy to go and die if he doesn't like the national anthem.... Attention seeker like me

Please visit my blog

www.jaybeenet.blogspot.com Click to Visit

Anonymous said...

whats d need of a new anthem when we all know after GEJ,there wont be d entity called Nigeria, et cetera can keep editing new anthem for whatever country he wud belong come after 2015

Anonymous said...

Let this dude get a nap #bright bravo#

Anonymous said...

I think I prefer d old national anthem

Anonymous said...

I prefer d old national anthem

Anonymous said...

Agreed....I neva knew dia was an old national athem,I lyk d place dat said"help us build a nation where no man is oppressed"

Anyikwa chinonso said...

Hmmm.. Observing the write-up

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Bbg Eze said...

Totally agree wt him. #WORD

Alloy Chikezie said...

How does national anthem affect our mindset as Nigerians? whatever Nigeria problems are, is rooted in our mindset and has nothing to do with national anthem, if the national anthem be changed, and the mind of an average Nigerian is not changed then its a waste of time, so let the government invest in education to equip our mind for a better Nigeria, to free our mind from primitive taught and let our mind be free from corruption and greed


Your comment will be visible after approval

Don Pafegs said...

Yes it is bland and uninspiring compared to the former.

How to convince your partner to have hotter sex, even if she's tired or bummed out.

Unknown said...

Wetin be this guy problem sef. That anthem is here to stay.

Unknown said...

...and we changed from this anthem because?... oh! I know! I guess our leaders realised they couldn't "help to build a nation, where no man is oppressed" nether could they "hand on to our children, a banner without stain" they would put the burden on the children 2 make sure "the labour of heroes past, re not in vain"...bt since the only Labour of our heroes past we could think of is looting, bigotry, and oppression, what do u expect from us?! Even I never knew the lines of the old anthem until today, I feel more attached and bound to this old anthem. It challenges our "leaders" more! ...with all due respect to Pa Odiase.

Anonymous said...

This ectcera dude tho-_-.......after p(-_-)q dint bring him to the lime light he wants to enter by force via dissing celebs and even his country.........I worry for him

Anonymous said...

What Can I say #kingkay

DOBY DOBY said...

Lyk anthem really makes a diff in people's lives. . Its jus lyk our culture. A symbol of identity. . Odi egwu. . Deirs no diff bw d two.. wat of d part dat states to serve our fathers land wiv love nd strength .. so wer is d love.. tribalism evrywer. . Pple dnt read meaning to any anthem its jus wat u av to learn. . Period

K BOY said...

First sensible write-up by Etcetera. Thank God you made sense this time around, I was about logging out on your matter.

Unknown said...

Yeye gay anonymous.....put urs naa as u be gay. Ode!

Bradley said...

This guy Na faggot.. If he dey hungry make he go open barbing salon

Anonymous said...

We sgall overcome. Pretex4luv@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

This guy is a pussy!!!!!

Unknown said...

Well said man but d problem is not with d anthem but rather with d people in govt.

iam_fame said...

Dis guy is d greatest attention seeker..I v seen..mumu all thru ua stupid music career did u mak 1 hit? U for write ua own anthem let's c hw lame u ah...idiot oof life..as uaa craze don go federal na federal cure dem go giv u..no let 9ja govt open mind wan end u...fool of life..lindiway,u beta post dis comment ooo

Steveosky 4 Real. said...

Anon 10:19. What's funny about such irritating comment?? Well I guess I know better..!!

Steveosky 4 Real. said...

Come on fly away from here. He is 100 times better than your useless life. Cursed soul..

Anonymous said...

Gosh ur cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #blush

Anonymous said...

Nke emere juo oyi...ndjoephotos@yahoo.com

Steveosky 4 Real. said...

End of story. Ur head is there..

Anonymous said...

"You never knew the lines of the old national anthem till now". If I may ask, how old are you, I sang the old national anthem in primary and secondary schools. How time flies. I also prefer the old national anthem

Unknown said...

ECTERA HAVING SUMTIN TO SAY ABT EVRYTIN.... ITS NO LONGER CELEBS AGAIN, ITS NATIONAL ATHEM.....

Mtcheeeeeeeeeww... OYA HIS FOLLOWERS SHUD APPLUAD HIM.....

NAHSENSE...
.
.
.
.
Moye B

Critik said...

I'm sure there's an old saying that goes.....not every thought is pleasing to the ear...(in dis case,the eyes).this idea is ok. But pls dude stick to ur radio show. U aint a writer or human rights activists. Rest abeg!

Intelligentsia said...

No,he will not go and die. Opinions are free and he's entitled to one. Please be civil.

PURPLE said...

Of all ways to tell him to shut up, u just had to say that

Intelligentsia said...

No,he will not get a nap. Opinions are free and he's entitled to one. Please be civil

#King said...

When I said mr example is retarded, he stupidly came here in disguise as anonymous to attack me..stupid jobless man..Everything is wrong in ur stupid sick brain..I guess ur brain didn't tell u music isn't ur calling..All u do is talk abt tinz u can't change Pussay..The day dis idiot finally grows up I'll give thanks in church.........................................#KingOfKings

#King said...

When I said mr example is retarded, he stupidly came here in disguise as anonymous to attack me..stupid jobless man..Everything is wrong in ur stupid sick brain..I guess ur brain didn't tell u music isn't ur calling..All u do is talk abt tinz u can't change Pussay..The day dis idiot finally grows up I'll give thanks in church.........................................#KingOfKings

Anonymous said...

Can someone please tell this Frustrated n Failed musician to Shut The F**k up! Attention seeker #yimu

Unknown said...

Do u still write songs.

Anonymous said...

Well written. However,we must nt 4get dat Trans4mation begins from the inside. It's got to do with individual Nigerian and not a general issue. Change ursef and ur Community/Country will be aUtomatically Transformed to suit your new status.
Shalom

www.jodexinspire.blogspot.com

Amarachukwu. said...

This guy sef.

Anonymous said...

He is damn right.I totally agree

Unknown said...

Like seriously, I prefer d old one.

Anonymous said...

I think ETC should be intelligent enough to know that the problem of Nigeria does not lie in mere national anthem . We should all know that until we see ourselves as one Nigeria in practice and action not mere national anthem or legislation that is when we can take this country to the promise land. Now back to ETC, i think if u can devote ur energy into bringing back alive ur long dead career by now you would have gone far. Pls take time to work on ur career rather than forcing yourself down the throat of people through your self esteemed write ups that most times usually portrays you as a jealous, failed and ranting musician . To Ms Linda Ikeji, i think the best way to salvage the drowning career of this dude is to advise him to open a Blog which will serve as a channel to pour out his mind and generate is our followers...and he should remember to stop picking up on different issues all in the name of finding fault. The more he does that the more people get irritated about him... FOR CHRIST SAKE HE DOESNT HAVE A MANAGER? OR HE SOULD JUST HIRE A REPUTABLE PR AGENT TO GIVE HIM A PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

Anonymous said...

Hehehe..he'll write about the penis in his mouth. Something has to be done about the hands too ----C21

Anonymous said...

Etcetera should learn from freeze how to write an article

Anonymous said...

WOW! U must be in ur 40's anonymous

Anonymous said...

Freeze writes so much better

Anonymous said...

Etcetera sucks

Peggy.ejiga.blogspot.com.ng said...

Have no idea , what rebranding our anthem is going to do for us. its like rebranding star bottle, different look same taste and content.

Anonymous said...

Dia is always a usefulness in every foolish man's word.. It only takes a gud brain...
Etcetera myt seem a nuisance buh hez sayin d ryt tin... I knw d anthem wont change boko haram nd wat ave u... Buh it will inspire Nigerians nd allow dem ave a change of heart....
Kip d ball rollin man!



Mopeelolly17@yahoo.com

joy Egbunu said...

Linda, dis guy must paying u to help his failed 'ministry' move forward!!! Enaf of him already!!!

Unknown said...

I tink he's right.don't tink one has 2 b a writer or human right activist before sharing opinion,u gat no point dude.mheeee

Zeus said...

Etcetra has been on some good weed for some time now hasnt he

Anonymous said...

Linda can you please help tell that fool that this is a wrong way of making his mark in the world uh. Jopeyemi@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Let's try, just for a minute. See reason to what he and the delegates have brought forward. I for one can understand were he's coming from, try listening or watch an American recite his/her national anthem with Pride, then you'll feed into his(Etcetera's)mind to grasp the idea behind the "MINDSET" which can be changed. I SUPPORT THE MOTION, TO CHANGE THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

obietrezy said...

Very soon he will say nigeria shouldn't have had her independence....

thomassolomon67@yahoo.com said...

This guy just like to be on the news......

Anonymous said...

Abeg this Guy needs a Medical Check up...#pTiana

Anonymous said...

When you take your time to read his article and not pass comment on what you think of him you would sound smarter than you obviously are.

Anonymous said...

I think I share his sentiments,I find d national unappealing,boring ,uninspiring n it lacks melody..

Anonymous said...

Nigerians are quick to condemn, nw i see that Nigeria's problem is not just our leaders but we the citizens are part of the problem. all these comments just made me realise one thing and that is majority of LIB readers are not intelligent and again if u want 2 abuse someone's write up, there is sth called "constructive criticism"
Eceteria is a good writer, love him or hate him, hes makin his money as a columnist and the sexy thing there is that he is multi-talented.
U all can all curse me if u want, it wont affect me neither wld it give me money.
Linda, I loveeee ur blog, im sure you know that.
Tunrayor

ary said...

I don't even know the old anthem, they should leave this one jor cos I don't have power to cram another anthem anew.

SVC said...

Ashawo... No Comment oo make u dey look man... see you at shıloh camp wen u clock 39 like Rita Dominic.. mtcheww

SVC said...

Ada Nne, why are you Makıng dış dude popular? Hıan! How much dıd he pay you for all thıs

Anonymous said...

The day wey God go punish you. You come by mistake post with your real name ehnnn. Eh go red for you oh

Olubukola Ozone said...

Dis guy will neva shut his mouth, will he? Am so over dis guy. He sucks most of d times

Temidayo said...

Easy O. Etcetera.. Your Obsv cn βǝ silly sometimes O. http://bit.ly/1mBGKQR

hrm paul ojeih said...

some body pls give em the contract to kidnap this clown and and flog some sense into his head scholars like wole soyinka godfathers founding nationalist like zik awo tafa balewa great men and women did not complain about our national anthem na dis idiot this failed alternative rock singer dat does not no his left from his right is opening his fly filled infested mouth to spew thrash thunder fire u

Anonymous said...

asin eh @hilary obiorah.. patoswife@gmail.com

ODUWAS MUM said...

This proves that you are jobless. Used to like your songs but not anymore. GET A LIFE BRO.

Anonymous said...

This guy is right irrespective of what u think about him...lots of comments here show that most Nigerians have lost the ability to think critically.

Anonymous said...

Foolish thing. I am sure you are supposed to be a leader and role model for little kids. #gay anonymous my tooth. Rubbish am sure you will look like a stick of pencil. To put ur HIV infested body in his mouth...Rubbish
As for the so-called Etcetera what a stupid way to look for cheap publicity. Dats y some idiots go ahead and insults him... #i dey vex sef

Jenny says

Anonymous said...

this guy is a publicity seeker....his heart yearns for attention...to me,he's got no cogent grounds for his explanations...peace

PURPLE said...

SVC, so somebody can complement somebody again. Bitter senseless moron

PURPLE said...

Lol..intelligetsia which one be ur own?

Unknown said...

Great article, if dere is a referendum to revert to the old anthem i will vote for it

Anonymous said...

@jaybee imagine ur reply,no wonder your blog is dry .

Anonymous said...

Ok sir...nkemdirimeverista111@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

You say boring things. You are better with your mouth shut.

Unknown said...

who the fuck this niggqa his?? he been talking shii for a while now, always having something negative to say...

Anonymous said...

I second that! @ 'always grumpy' lol. The dude is a nuisance, an opinionated nuisance

APPLE said...

If you say so.

Anonymous said...

@ Michael, yea! Opinionated pple are such a drag...@ PVC, do u v a crush on Michael? Wats w the unnecessary venom?

Anonymous said...

If only we young people are not too blinded by our go with the crowd attitude, we might take our time to read his words again and understand the sense in it. I am no fan of the dude bt common he made sense, and anyone who is deep enuf to see what shallow minded people cant, will take a min or two to consider the words written not the person writing. Even great artist make fake art. Charly boy said somethings too and the world went for his head. Well they have something we lack, and that is the POWER TO VOICE HOW THEY FEEL. Rather than stay in ur homes and insult them look for a way for ur voice to be heard. TOMORROW IS UR CONCERN TOOO, and if insulting people on blogs is all u have to offer.. THEN U R ALSO A BIG PART OF THE PROBLEM TODAY

PRETTY GIRL said...

All this guy does is spew bullshit, and spew some more bullshit each passing day and in thd process Looking for cheap publicity and bloggers like Linda are helping him in achieving that...Its not changing the national Anthem that will solve the problems of this nation, its Changing the Leadership...SIT DOWN ETCETERA!

Unknown said...

My suggestion to LIB contributors is that we must not abuse somebody to make our point. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Make what comes out of your mouth your identity.

Anonymous said...

Let's not condemn......his article is a brilliant one,most Nigerians don't just give a damn. Why not let's leave condemnation and keep learning. I've learnt from this anyway...

Anonymous said...

I strongly believe our problem is not in the anthem, after all most of our leaders all sang the old anthem, how has that made them any different?

Anonymous said...

Well spoken Etcetera. I was lucky to sing the old anthem before it was changed. You couldn't have said it better. Kudos to this post. I hope they listen. Pa Odiase won't be angry. He only compiled the new anthem from entries of 6 people that sent entries for the anthem competition.

Unknown said...

Lol

Unknown said...

I dey tell u. We should go back

Unknown said...

Hahahahahaha

Anonymous said...

I'd have to agree with Etcetera on this one. Our current National Anthem holds no value for me. Nigeria , we hail thee...Now, that would work for our generation and our time.

Anonymous said...

He is sooooooooo right this time around
I guess those cussing him don't read, understand
And reason well to see the wonderful points he has mentioned.
Bravo.

Anonymous said...

Freeze is dt u?

dmj said...

Etcetera, never thought I would say this ever....U are on point!...I wonder how they chose the current Anthem over the former... Just cause it wasn't written by I Nigerian I guess. I totally feel you on this one.#onpoint

Bosslady said...

Has anybody listened to foreign acts render our national anthem? e.g. Beyonce and pianists from various countries? One Italian pianist performed it a few years ago but his name doesn't come to mind now. It is a BEAUTIFUL anthem. One of the most beautiful in the world. This belief that our anthem doesn't sound nice is all in the mind. I personally don't think much of the American anthem but the American people RESPECT it and that's the keyword. If you respect something, you will appreciate and value it. e.g. The average pepper seller in the market may not look like much to some of us. She is just another 'local woman' to many of us but she means the world to her children. They respect her and love her and will die for her, because they believe in her. Believe in your country and your anthem will sound good. Lose hope in Nigeria and it will sound wack. Shikena!

Dissappoint Nigerian said...

This Idiot deserved to be hanged...

Anonymous said...

Olodo pls don't read it.

Anonymous said...

Ok sir...nkemdirimeverista111@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

You sound like a child

Anonymous said...

You need to do just that. Shut that fuck up

Anonymous said...

Bro I still don't understand how Nigerians thinks.every book have a lesson to teach

Anonymous said...

You need to do just that. Shut that fuck up

Anonymous said...

Its not. At least he makes u write a comment

Anonymous said...

You sound like a child

Anonymous said...

Totally agree with you 100%. The old anthem inspires pride . It actually personalizes Nigeria for me. "Our own dear native land" Nigeria is indeed "dear" to me no matter what. I love my country. Amaka

Anonymous said...

Please who is this etcetra guy with a loudmouth. appaerently he is a musician. have never heard any of his songs! he just goes around saying rubishh all the time. please go and seat down somewhere

Anonymous said...

This guy na idiot walahie.....abeg I no fit cram any anthem again o. Make him compose another one na. Let's hear how reasonable and sensible dt will sound. Olodo

Anonymous said...

this etcetera guy should go get a life and stop looking for cheap publicity. he can even avoid a publicist broke ass Nigeria. others are working hard in there areas of expertise and this guy has nothing to show for. get a life dude. linda pls help me forward this to him cos i blame you for even recognising him.

Anonymous said...

I simply love the guy's way of reasoning.He also has good command of English.Nice one Etcetera. Please keep it up

Unknown said...

off to bed
cant read this long essay
no time



BORN TO SHINE!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Ds etc should close his mouth. He musn't have an opinion about everything.

#Lindoaddict

Anonymous said...

Dem go soon misplace this etc dude

The Son of Man said...

GBAM!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Why don't u guyz forget about the persona and focus on the content of the write-up. Words are very powerful and they go a long way to shape our thoughts. I agree with the content of the write-up.

bibyohi said...

He's got a problem

Anonymous said...

i dont know whats happening to we youths in this country....Its the country decay that bad that you dont see truth and false or wrong and right. Ignorant youths..OPEN YOUR EYES....LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND..
If the guy is gay then he must be very lost and pray God saves him.
BUT fact is there is so much truth, and good message in this is statement. Take it or leave it

Anonymous said...

Linda, can u pls stop posting anitin that has to do with this guy! He his yet to find out his purpose on earth. So disgusting .

Anonymous said...

They didn't complain then bcos pple still sang the anthem wif pride and and Nigeria wasn't that corrupt.... Nigeria then is not the Nigeria now

liz said...

You are just stupid Mr gay. As much as I dislike this guy and all d rubbish he's been writing, I think he made sense this time around. Maybe u guys should always try and read first before posting ur brainless comments.

Olamide said...

this guy is an absolute idiot. i have refrained from commenting on anything he has said over time but this definitely takes the piss. what value have you added to society. I think he should be blacklisted the media. He doesn't have to share every idiotic thought that comes to his mind.

Anonymous said...

Freeze please show this drowning man how to write

Anonymous said...

I think I know his problem. Now hes beginning to feel like everything around him is shit, its just a condition called 'being a cynical asshole !

Anonymous said...

etcetera needs a job...

Unknown said...

It's so unfortunate to see people pass bad judgement without perusing this guy's constructive opinion. I read through the lyrics of the old anthem...it's so inspiring just like thew second stanza of the new national anthem.

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