Eno Eka

🌟 Excited to share insights from my recent conversation on the Count Me In Podcast with the incredible Jean Pierre Rukebesha! 🌟 In our latest episode, we delved into the transformative impact of technology on small businesses, and JP shared his inspiring journey from an accountant in Rwanda to a tech-savvy entrepreneur in Canada. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation: 🔹 The Power of Financial Literacy: JP emphasized the crucial role of basic financial literacy for small business owners. Just as literacy transformed society, understanding fundamental financial concepts empowers entrepreneurs to make informed decisions and take control of their financial health. 🔹 Embrace Technology Incrementally: Staying ahead of the technological curve doesn't mean overhauling everything at once. JP highlighted that if you have a solid foundation, incremental changes can lead to significant improvements. It's about staying informed, adapting, and integrating new tools that add real value. 🔹 Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship: Success in entrepreneurship requires more than just a desire to leave a 9-to-5 job. It's crucial to find your "why"—a deeper purpose that will keep you motivated through the challenges. When your vision extends beyond personal gains and seeks to make a meaningful impact, the journey becomes both fulfilling and sustainable. Thank you, JP, for sharing your valuable insights and inspiring story. To everyone striving to make a difference in the world of small business, remember: your efforts contribute to something greater! #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #Technology #FinancialLiteracy #PurposeDriven Feel free to check out the full podcast episode for a more in-depth discussion! 🎧🔗 https://lnkd.in/ekT6K_nm

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I’m incredibly honored to have been chosen as the recipient of the Media Impact Award by Canada Vendors, owned by the inspiring Maryam M. . 🎉 My media journey began over 10 years ago in Nigeria, and I’ve had the privilege of continuing it here in Canada. As an immigrant, I’ve learned that breaking through the media sector often requires double the effort—but consistency, authenticity, and staying true to your unique voice are essential to overcoming the challenges. As a columnist for The Guardian Newspaper in Nigeria, I’ve experienced firsthand how media visibility can shape narratives and create lasting change. This journey has reinforced the importance of building a strong media presence, not just for personal growth, but for making an impact on a larger scale. That’s why I’m thrilled about the Women of Rubies Media Visibility Bootcamp—a program designed to equip women with the tools they need to stay relevant, enhance their media presence, and make their voices heard. The goal is to empower individuals to take control of their narrative and shine in today’s fast-paced media landscape via. Learn more here: womenofrubies.com/mvbc4 I’m excited to celebrate this award on December 21st and continue inspiring others to rise, be visible, and stay authentic. The spotlight is always on those who dare to show up, consistently. #MediaImpact #ImmigrantSuccess #MediaVisibility #Authenticity #Consistency #PersonalBranding #WomenOfRubies #Canada #MediaVisibilityBootcamp #GuardianNewspaper #Nigeria #MediaJourney

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The accounting entity concept (or entity concept or separate entity concept) is the principle that financial records are prepared for a distinct unit or entity regarded as separate from the individuals that own it. #SeparateEntity

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Doing Business with Rich Black Canadians business owners: "My Business success is more important than my Blackness." Black businesses with annual revenue of over 10 million. The more successful, the less "Black" they become! Yesterday, I had a thought-provoking conversation with a professor from York University about Black entrepreneurship in Canada. The discussion highlighted the invisibility of successful Black businesses in the country. While there are thriving Black businesses, they often operate under the radar due to unique challenges. The conversation revealed three key reasons behind this invisibility. First, most government funding is concentrated on the Black community, which focuses on community and social events rather than business development. As such, Black Canadians have the lowest "investment-to-population" ratios of all ethnic groups. They do not invest in equity, like stocks, private businesses, or pension investments. Even though Black people's total annual income was estimated at 19 billion dollars in 2019 (survey Envoronics), this is in stark contrast to the average white household, which makes investment and savings a priority. Second, funding for Black research in Canada is concentrated through the universities rather than directly into business. However, the challenge is that, according to recent data, most university professors who run these programs have limited practical experience and proficiency in the subject matter, as businesses is different from academics. This approach differs from the World Bank's, which concentrates on developing entrepreneurs and the community at the same time. The third and most crucial reason successful Black businesses are invisible in Canada is that the more successful they become, the more discreetly they tend to operate. This discretion stems from concerns about losing business if their ethnicity is prominently displayed. (88 per cent of Businesses in Canada have no Black suppliers. Therefore, if you are Black, they would not give you their business.) Interestingly, many Black-owned businesses avoid public identification due to the lack of Black suppliers and the request for support from other Black Not-for-profit organisations. This reality prompts them to maintain a low profile to avoid potential repercussions on their business relationships. For example, you seldom hear them in the news or on social media. It's not uncommon for these businesses to present a different facade, featuring faces of other ethnicities in their branding materials. During our three-month investigations, we discovered no less than 10 Black Businesses with annual revenue of over 10 million dollars, with White receptionists and white front-line workers, some with over 90% non-Black people employees. For more research on the Black and BIPOC community, contact DPBA. https://dpbglobal.com/ Look at our latest infomercial https://lnkd.in/gQTTenxf Stock photo, taken from Vecteezy

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Social Saturday Spotlight on Justine Hilda Naana Mensah – A Leader Empowering Change in Underserved Communities Meet Justine Mensah the visionary founder of The Skills, Leadership & Transformation Institute (SLTI) and Busy Queen Global.(BQG) . With a mission to empower women and youth through skills development, entrepreneurship, and leadership training, she is transforming lives and creating sustainable opportunities in rural and peri-urban communities. Why Justine’s Leadership Matters: 📍Proven Expertise: With over 20 years of experience in business development, marketing, and social entrepreneurship, Justine has worked with global organizations like VSO, GIZ , USAID and EMPRETEC , delivering impactful solutions. 📍Impact-Driven Programs: Through The SLTI & BQG she has empowered over 1,000 women and youth, equipping them with the tools to create businesses, access clean energy, and lead change in their communities. 📍Focus on Sustainability: Justine is a strong advocate for clean energy and environmental conservation, integrating clean cooking and lighting solutions into SLTI’s AND BQG ‘s programs to improve lives and reduce emissions. 📍Champion for Women’s Empowerment: She is spearheading new initiatives like the ‘‘Bloom Where You Are’’ campaign, enabling young women to stay in their communities, start businesses, and scale globally. Notable Achievements: 📌Trained and transitioned over 1,500 households to cleaner energy solutions. 📌Supported 559 women in agribusiness, trade, and services to grow their enterprises. 📌Facilitated the migration of local businesses to global markets, including textiles, handicrafts, and creative arts. Why Investors Should Pay Attention: Justine’s work goes beyond empowering individuals —it’s about creating systemic change. Her ability to deliver measurable results in underserved areas makes her a trusted leader for impactful investments. Whether it’s expanding clean energy access or equipping rural communities with digital skills, investing in SLTI is investing in sustainable growth. If you’re looking to make a real difference, partner with Justine and SLTI. Together, we can build thriving communities, one skill, one leader, and one business at a time.

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Innate Drive or Learned Skill? The age-old debate continues: are entrepreneurs born or made? Thanks to inspiring insights from Sachin Dhanani, Patrick Mbonye, Shabbar Jagani, Annette Kimitei, Eric Musau, Naomi Kipkorir, and Martin Kiarie, we delve into the essence of entrepreneurship. Can a harsh environment spark the entrepreneurial fire, or is it the relentless pursuit of solutions and the courage to transform ideas into ventures, or can it be both? #EntrepreneurshipDebate #InnovativeMinds #BusinessEvolution

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This weekend, I had the privilege of attending a thought-provoking session titled "Preparing for the Job Market and Leveraging Opportunities as a 9-5 Professional" with amazing speakers Nneka Jethro-Iruobe □ The Happy Employee Coach, Clotilde Fon Ameck💜 and Ugochukwu Odoemene, MBA. Here are the valuable lessons I picked from the session: ◇ The importance of self-awareness: Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and career aspirations is key to navigating the job market successfully. ◇ Positioning matters: It’s not just about having skills but knowing how to position yourself to attract the right opportunities. ◇ Building relationships: Networking is not just a buzzword; it’s an essential career tool that opens doors to opportunities. ◇ Continuous learning: Staying relevant means investing in yourself through learning and skill development. This session reminded me of the endless possibilities that come with a proactive and intentional approach to career growth. To anyone exploring ways to grow in their career, sessions like this are a treasure trove of knowledge. Let's keep learning and growing! A heartfelt thank you to the organizers and speakers for delivering such a powerful and impactful session. Let’s keep building, learning, and leveraging every opportunity to excel. #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #Networking #LinkedIn

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People Warned Us But Impossible Itself Say I Am Possible !!!!!!!! 💁‍♀️ As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded of the resilience and dedication it has taken to reach where I am today. The two pictures here hold special significance for me. 🗣️ The first is from an industrial visit to J. Junaid Jamshed Private Limited , where my team and I engaged in enriching discussions about innovative marketing strategies and industry best practices. 🤝 This experience not only broadened my understanding of the marketing landscape but also reinforced the importance of practical learning in a fast-evolving field. 🖼️ The second photo, taken today at Unilever office, symbolizes another pivotal step in my professional growth. Each experience I've gained has been a stepping stone toward building my career. ✈️ During my second semester, I faced a challenging reality: balancing my studies with work commitments was no small feat. Recognizing that taking a traditional job was not feasible, I began seeking remote opportunities. I eagerly accepted projects that did not offer immediate financial compensation because I believed in the intrinsic value of hands-on experience. 💬 This time spent working, learning, and adapting in various roles has equipped me with valuable skills in research, communication, and strategic thinking. Despite my determination, I encountered skepticism from some peers and colleagues who questioned my decision to pursue unpaid work. 🟥 They warned me about the potential toll on my health and academic performance. However, I remained focused on my long-term goals, driven by the desire to grow both personally and professionally. 🎉 The result? I achieved a commendable 3.5 CGPA while simultaneously gaining invaluable insights into the industry. 💁‍♀️ Stepping out of my comfort zone has continually opened doors to new opportunities, proving that hard work and perseverance truly pay off in the end. Each challenge has strengthened my resolve and shaped my path forward. "محنت کبھی ضائع نہیں ہوتی، یہ آپ کی کامیابی کا راستہ ہموار کرتی ہے۔" #GrowthMindset #Resilience #MarketingJourney #ContinuousLearning #ProfessionalDevelopment

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🌟 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐀𝐈: 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐉𝐨𝐞𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐧 🌟 I'm delighted to feature Joel Dean, a Jamaican AI engineer and Tech Entrepreneur whose work with global companies in the tech space, inspired our Board to continue focusing on young Jamaicans pursuing tertiary studies in STEM. Joel uses AI for work and for good. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐉𝐨𝐞𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 Joel's interest in AI began over 15 years ago when he started his computer science degree at just 16. "I was always intrigued by the notion of computers being able to reason and understand," says Joel. This curiosity led him to create his first AI telegram bot that could understand emotions in 2015. He recalls, "I was utilizing GPT 2.0, way before ChatGPT launched. As soon as I saw its capabilities, I knew that the world of AI was about to change with large language models." 𝐉𝐨𝐞𝐥'𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 His learning journey has been hands-on and engaging. "Basically, I've been following the industry and building. I learned by doing because it's easy to just see all the headlines and wonder if we're in a hype cycle or not. When you actually start to play around and experiment with the technology, that's where you are able to see how it shines," Joel explains. 𝐀𝐈 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 Joel's AI work focuses on advocacy and building impactful technologies. "I'm part of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica's digital innovation committee. We try to create guidelines and have relevant conversations for the safe and ethical use of AI," Joel notes. He also represents the region in AI discussions on policy and governance as part of the Global Shapers community under the World Economic Forum. 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐈 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 On a practical level, Joel is developing transformative AI technologies. One core project is an AI journal designed to assist people with their mental health challenges. "The goal is for it to be a supplementary tool to further psychological help," Joel says. He is also working on a WhatsApp AI bot to help people access government services and information using multimodal AI capabilities.. 𝐉𝐨𝐞𝐥'𝐬 𝐀𝐈 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 For those who may be fearful of AI or don't know where to start, Joel offers reassurance and practical advice. "The fear is totally warranted. There's been a lot of doomsday conversations around AI in the media. But don't be fearful. The technology is not a super intelligent system that can cause the kind of harm that some people are talking about. However, be mindful of AI usage because there are dangers. Start with apps like ChatGPT, and then explore other AI platforms." Connect with Joel Dean on X at https://x.com/sirjoeldean to learn more about his inspiring AI journey and innovative work. #AIforGood #FeatureFridays #AIInnovation #TechForGood #AILeadership #JoelDean #DigitalTransformation #AIConfidence

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''𝑰𝒏 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔, 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅𝒔. 𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑳𝒂𝒈𝒐𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒐𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑳𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒏, 𝑰'𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒅𝒔, 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔.” My debut book, 'Bridging Worlds: A Journey of Technology, Leadership, and Public Service,' takes you through my years in Nigeria, the UK, and Canada. It uncovers the challenges and triumphs that have shaped who I am today. Read more about my journey here: https://lnkd.in/gGeSdxct #BridgingWorlds #LawrenceEta #DigitalTransformationLeader #SmartCities #Leadership #AmazonBook

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I was pleased to attend yesterday the opening event of the Afri Future Tech Summit at the University of Toronto and show support for the team from the ONE Campaign as a Board Director of ONE in Canada. The ONE team included Global CEO Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli up from Washington D.C., Canada Director Elise Legault, plus Minerva Saddler Gray, Neha Beri, Justin McAuley, Rilette Kiggen, and volunteers. Canada's Minister of International Development, H.E. Ahmed Hussen, joined Ndidi in a lively and helpful conversation about Canada and Africa. The old, tired narrative of Africa as poverty and disease-ridden basket case is done. While many serious challenges continue to exist to be sure, and the 54 countries of Africa are all distinct, Africa in general is on the move and, in some ways, the future and opportunity. A growing middle-class already numbering in the many hundreds of millions, a consumer market of 1.5 billion people, innovation in technology, agriculture, health care etc. While economic growth in the established Older World will arguably reach limits and become more brittle, the growth prospects for the New Africa are still elastic and expansive. The long-awaited Canada-Africa Strategy promised by Minister Joly by the end of the year should be robust enough to drive a whole-of-government Canadian engagement in the New Africa, in trade and investment, diplomacy, political engagement, security enhancement and more. There is a seat at the table for Canada in Africa, but not if we don't show up in a more ambitious and focused way than we do now. There are plenty of others who will gladly take that seat, including not only the usual suspects like China, but also friends and allies like the United States and Western Europe.

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we should plan for KCD Nairobi soon

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I had the honour of participating at the GatherVerse Safety Summit held last week and was on the Roundtable Panel which was moderated by Russell Bundy and included other panelists such as Lynn Gitau Daveed Benjamin Devin Baldwin and Mamadou Oury Diallo. The theme centered on ‘Protecting My Body, Thoughts, and Identity: Understanding AI’s Influence on Personal Autonomy’ It was a very important discuss as people aren’t informed enough on the perils and challenges of AI on our minds, identity and personal autonomy. KEY TAKEAWAYS:    1.    There is a core need to guarantee AI that respects personal autonomy while driving innovation in healthcare and personal devices.    2.    There are key risks of AI infringing on personal privacy and identity, and this need to be mitigated.    3.    AI is having a growing influence in understanding human thoughts, behaviors, and identities.    4.    Individuals need to maintain control over their own data and personal information in an AI-driven world.    5.    There should be limits to how AI influences or even controls decisions about our bodies and health.    6.    Guaranteeing that AI does not perpetuate biases that could negatively impact individual autonomy and identity is crucial.    7.    We must understand that emerging technologies like AI challenge the concept of personal identity, and safeguards are needed to protect users.    8.     There are several ways AI can help to empower personal autonomy without overstepping into areas of personal freedom.    9.    Governments have a huge role to play in regulating AI’s impact on personal autonomy.    10.   We can handle the ethical dilemma of AI predicting personal decisions by: - Ensuring individuals offer informed consent and retain control over their choices. - AI predictions shouldn’t override personal agency. - Recommendations should remain suggestions not mandatory. - Transparency should be the hallmark in use of algorithm and data used for predictions. Thank you Christopher Lafayette for unearthing hidden conversations as this to foster a just and human centered AI driven era.

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If you are a Guyanese in the Greater Toronto Area, this event is a must attend for you. Fareed Amin was my professor in Quantitative Studies while at university and an amazing intellect. For those in diaspora here is what the US Department of State had to the say about Guyana: " Guyana is located on South America’s North Atlantic coast, bordering Venezuela, Suriname, and Brazil, and is the only English-speaking country on the continent. Guyana became an oil producing nation in 2019 and, with a population of 782,766, is poised to dramatically increase its per capita wealth. While it is currently the third poorest country in the western hemisphere, Guyana’s economy grew by 19.9 percent in 2021. Guyana’s economy is projected to grow by 47.9 percent in 2022 according to the Ministry of Finance, making it one of the fastest growing economies in the world." Rawle Adams, Ray C. M., Dean Massiah, Maurice King

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Thank you, Darren Hall, Samantha James, Tayo Badejo, Ifeanyi Owah, Andrea Blake Edwards, and Olisa Udezue. I enjoyed the incredible connections made during the P&T Black Experience Mentee Connect 2024 event.  I am grateful to all involved with this successful event. I shared several approaches to networking and mentoring with a few examples. What would you add to the list below? I value your feedback. #TD #PandT #BEX #Obsidi #Networking #Mentoring Summary of Ideas for Mentoring and Networking 1.       Define Your Networking Goals (https://lnkd.in/e5f8pfTc) 2.       Expand Your Network Beyond Your Immediate Circle (https://lnkd.in/e3s3nKbF) 3.       Leverage Social Media and Online Platforms (https://lnkd.in/eRu2ME7C) 4.       Seek Mentors and Sponsors (https://lnkd.in/e9Mdc-Gx.) 5.       Leverage Mentoring Programs (https://lnkd.in/eDm46U9f) 6.       Build Genuine Relationships (https://lnkd.in/ebg8JsNN) 7.       Network with Purpose and Persistence (https://lnkd.in/ect_babb) 8.       Overcome Unique Challenges (or Overcome Networking Barriers) (https://lnkd.in/eF3WMrYz) 9.       Pay It Forward (https://lnkd.in/evqux8X4) 10.  Leverage Existing Networks (https://lnkd.in/eq_kwa92) 11.  Participate in Alumni Networks (https://lnkd.in/eBsECZmf) 12.  Attend Industry Events and Conferences (https://lnkd.in/ewX6ppDW) 13.  Offer Value and Provide Assistance (https://lnkd.in/ey7YMT39) 14.  Continuously Seek Feedback and Grow (https://lnkd.in/ejFhJiUW) 15.  Be Persistent and Patient (https://lnkd.in/e5BK-Ptn) 16.  Follow up and Maintain Connections (https://lnkd.in/eFbcequq)

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hi am Olarinmoye Dotun Oluwaseun, and today I’m going to share an innovative solution that can transform how remote teams manage their projects. As more organizations shift to remote work, project managers face new challenges in keeping their teams aligned, productive, and on schedule." The traditional project management tools often fall short when dealing with the complexities of remote teams. Issues like coordinating across multiple time zones, ensuring clear communication, and managing workloads can become significant hurdles. These challenges can lead to delays, miscommunications, and decreased productivity, making it difficult for remote teams to achieve their goals efficiently." To address these challenges, I propose developing an AI-Powered Project Management Assistant specifically designed for remote teams. This assistant would integrate seamlessly with popular project management tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira, enhancing them with intelligent features. For example, it would use AI to assign tasks based on team members’ workloads, skill sets, and time zones, ensuring tasks are distributed more effectively. It would also automate meeting scheduling by finding the optimal times for everyone involved, and provide a real-time collaboration hub where team members can share updates and receive instant feedback. Additionally, this assistant would track productivity metrics, generate actionable insights, and send proactive risk management alerts, helping project managers keep their projects on track." This AI assistant would make managing remote teams more efficient and less stressful. By automating routine tasks and providing data-driven insights, project managers can focus on what really matters—strategic planning and decision-making. Teams will benefit from improved collaboration and communication, leading to higher productivity and better project outcomes. With this AI-powered solution, remote teams can overcome the challenges of distributed work, ensuring their projects stay on track and their teams stay connected. Thank you for watching, and I look forward to bringing this project to life!" Thank you. #my3mtt #3mttnigeria #3mttlearningCommunity

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