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California: Reeling From Its Second Mass Shooting in Days

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California: Reeling From Its Second Mass Shooting in Days

The US state of California is reeling from its second mass shooting in days after a man shot dead seven former co-workers south of San Francisco.

The attacks took place in the coastal city of Half Moon Bay. The victims were all Chinese-American farm workers.”

Suspect Zhao Chunli, 67, was arrested after driving to a police station.

It comes as the state mourns the death of 11 at Monterey Park – about six hours south east of Half Moon Bay – during Lunar New Year celebrations.

California Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted that he was at a hospital meeting with victims of the earlier mass shooting when he was pulled away to be briefed about the second attack, describing it as “tragedy upon tragedy.”

The latest bloodshed to hit the state took place at two farms around the Half Moon Bay community.

Four victims of the shooting attack were discovered at a mushroom farm while the other three were later found at a nearby trucking business. An eighth victim is being treated in hospital and is in a critical condition.

A number of children who had recently been let out of school and lived on the rural property saw the attack take place, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said.

Horrific
This kind of shooting is horrific. It’s a tragedy we hear about far too often, but today it’s hit home here in San Mateo County,” the office said.

For children to witness this is unspeakable.”

After carrying out the killings, the suspect drove to a local police station where his arrest was caught on camera.

US news channels showed Zhao Chunli being pinned to the ground and arrested by police.

He was found with a semi-automatic pistol that may have been used in the attack, and was co-operating with police, Sheriff Corpus said.

Zhao Chunli, seen in an undated driver’s licence photo
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Dave Pine told the Associated Press news agency that the attacks were committed by a “disgruntled worker.”

We are sickened by today’s tragedy in Half Moon Bay,” Mr Pine said in a statement. There are simply too many guns in this country and there has to be a change.

The attack in Half Moon Bay is the 37th mass shooting in just 24 days according to US not-for-profit Gun Violence Archive.

They define a mass shooting as four or more people injured or killed.

Even as details of the deadly attack in Half Moon Bay were coming in, detectives in the south of the state were still hunting for a motive for the killings in Monterey Park.

There, an elderly Asian immigrant murdered 11 people in a suburban dance hall, before killing himself as police closed in.

 

 

BBC /Shakirat Sadiq

Kwara State SDP House of Reps Candidate Inaugurates Campaign Committee

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The Social Democratic Party, SDP member representing Ilorin East/ South Federal Constituency from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria, Abdulganiyu Saka Cook-Olododo has inaugurated his reelection bid campaign council .

The inauguration took place at the lawmaker’s constituency office located at GRA, Ilorin.

While addressing the campaign team, led by a former Chairman of Ilorin East Local Government, Alhaji  Tunde Saad and Alhaji Ishola Mashood Abiola, who were appointed Deputy Chairman of Campaign Council and Director General respectively, Olododo said “It will be recalled that about four years ago, some respectable individuals were assembled to constitute my campaign council to actualize my ambition to contest for the seat of Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency in the House of Representative of the National Assembly, Abuja. 

According to him , to the glory of God and collective resolve of our people, he won that election.

While upon his  swearing-in, he hit the ground running in ensuring that his  campaign promises were fulfilled and dividends of democracy were drawn to his constituency.

He says, “Without sounding immodest, I have been able to break an unprecedented record in my constituency in terms of legislation, constituency projects I had facilitated and empowerments programmes I had executed”. 

The Lawmaker disclosed that in due course, the list of all these projects and his other political activities compiled and contained in his  book titled “SO FAR, SO GOOD” will be in circulation.

Olododo who is also the Chairman, House committee on National Planning stated that “As another general election are fast approaching, where I will be seeking re-election into the House of Representatives under the platform of SDP, to continue the good works I had started, I need to emphasize and implore members of the Campaign council and all other members of our campaign team to conduct their activities in an orderly manner. 

He stressed that “Campaigns should be issue-based and not insult or attack on personalities. I abhor violence and thuggery and I don’t encourage anyone to engage in them in the name of politics. Our campaigns should be devoid of politics character assassination and political violence.” 

Olododo urged members of his Campaign Council and Campaign team to go all out and canvass vote for all SDP candidates in Kwara state, particularly in Ilorin East/South.

The Director General (Operations) of the Hakeem Lawal Campaign Organization, Mr. Kale Belgore in his remarks said “Olododo is a leading politician and public administrator of note, not just in Kwara but Nigeria, whom Ilorin East/South is proud to have as a representative. 

I congratulate you all on this noble assignment because it is a great opportunity to be nominated into the campaign team of  Olododo, who is one of our very formidable candidates in SDP.”

Belgore added that “Comparing what other representative members in Kwara has done with Oladodo, his delivery is visibly unmatched and his re-election will be of great significance to the development of our Federal Constituency.”  

Representative of the Kwara state SDP Chairman, Tajudeen Ojolowo, financial secretary of the party implored the members of the campaign council to be steadfast and have strong faith in the party, noting that the waiting days would soon be over and the long walk to Kwara’s freedom will manifest soon.

He also urged them to appease aggrieved members and enjoin them to join hands to work with the party.

The Director General of the Campaign Council, Alhaji Ishola Mashood Abiola  in his remarks, promised to run a family-like campaign organisation, in tandem with the collectivist ideology of our principal, Honourable Olododo.

He urged members of the campaign council to work as a team of equals working towards a common goal adding that they would have cause to celebrate come February 25th and beyond.

The Director General thanked Olododo for the opportunity given them to serve in the campaign team and assured him of outstanding delivery for him and the entire SDP.

 

Confidence Okwuchi

Edo State IGR Hits N4b Monthly Target 

The Edo State Internal Rvenue Service, EIRS says the state’s internally Generated Revenue, IGR collection has hit the N4 billion monthly target.

The Chairman, Taskforce on Internally Generated Revenue, TF-IGR, Mr John Inegbedion said this at the January 2023 Management Performance Review, MPR Meeting and Award Ceremony held at the EIRS Corporate Head Office.

The meeting was meant to review the performance of the service in revenue generated in the preceding month and year 2022 as well as appreciate EIRS branches, ministries that exceeded target.

The taskforce chairman stated that the N4 billion was achieved in the last quarter of 2022 after meeting the N3 billion target in the first quarter of same year.

He attributed the achievement of the feat to the leadership and support provided by Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu.

According to Inegbedion, it is imperative to note that the current management of the revenue service broke two records in 2022.

“The feat was first achieved in the first quarter of 2022 while the second record was the generation of N4 billion monthly IGR without special inflow from Abuja in the last quarter of 2022.

“These feats achieved for the first time by the revenue service could not have been possible without the leadership and support provided by Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu.

“This has been evident by their attendance of our MPR, other meetings and their belief in the staff of the service which has transformed into today’s success story,’’ he said.

 

NAN/Confidence Okwuchi

President Buhari To Commission Power Project In Kano State

Nogeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari is set for a two day visit to Kano state, where he will commission the 10 megawatts Independent hydro power project and the multi-billion naira ultra modern Cancer center.

The state commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs comrade Mohamed Garba stated this in a chat with Newsmen in Kano state.

He said the power and cancer center projects were among seven projects expected to be inaugurated in the two day presidential visit to the ancient commercial city beginning from 30th to 31st of this month.

According to him, the Tiga dam 10 megawatts power project when commissioned will improve power supplies to “cottage industries,  water projects in the state, especially the Tambrawa water treatment plant and improve security, as it will be used to lighten Street lights across the city.”

He said the Multi-billion naira ultra modern Cancer center, which is the biggest in West Africa, after inauguration by the president would improve easy access to cancer treatment at reduced cost within and outside the state including neighbouring countries.

“It will also reduce medical tourism for Nigerians who travel abroad for cancer treatments and conserve foreign exchange for the country,” he said.

New Bridge

Comrade Garba also stated that the state’s biggest and newly constructed  bridge/ interchange named after president Mohamadu Buhari, meant to ease traffic congestion, as it is the gateway to West, Central and Eastern Africa  countries  patronising the commercial city of Kano, will also be unveiled by the president.

“The Mohamadu Buhari interchange is meant to ease tragic congestion in the state and for easy access for African countries patronizing Kano through road networks,” he said

President Buhari will also commission the Kano state 700 teachers’ housing estate to alleviate their housing challenges.

Other projects to be commission during the visit includes: the Dangote ultra-modern Skills Acquisition Center, the Dala Dry Inland Port and Solar power projects.

 

 

Confidence Okwuchi

Deep Sea Port, Rice Mill in Lagos to generate $200 billion

President Muhammadu Buhari says the newly inaugurated Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Imota Rice Mill are projected to generate economic benefits valued at 200 billion dollars.

He spoke on Monday night at a State Dinner in his honour during his two-day official visit to Lagos State to commission landmark infrastructure projects undertaken by the State Government and the private sector, MRS Holdings Limited.

READ ALSO: Lagos: President Buhari inaugurates Deep Sea Port, Rice Mill

According to him, the projects will create more than 300,000 direct and indirect jobs adding that these labour-intensive projects, which will contribute to job creation in the country, fit well with his Administration’s plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.

Democratic Dividends 

He expressed delight that the alignment between Lagos State and the Federal Government, since 2015, has more than delivered the dividends of democracy for the good people of the State.

‘‘These projects commissioned today would not have happened without close collaboration between the Federal and Lagos State Governments, and the involvement of the private sector as well.

‘‘Indeed, our commitment to unleashing the full potential of Nigeria’s private sector should never be in doubt. Through various policies, legislation and executive orders, we have worked very hard to facilitate private enterprise in Nigeria.

‘‘The results of this can be seen in the many thriving businesses across Lagos State, in manufacturing, oil and gas, creative industries, services, digital economy and many more, creating tens of thousands of jobs and economic opportunities for Nigerians.

‘‘I have no doubt whatsoever that posterity will be kind to us on account of these landmark projects and successes,” he said.

President Buhari also listed the achievements of the Nigerian Government and support to Lagos State during his two terms in office, promising to work with unwavering vigour and commitment to fulfil the promises made to Nigerians, until the end of his administration.

‘‘I would like to start by thanking the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the good people of Lagos, for the colourful reception that my team and I received today on our arrival in the state.

‘‘Earlier today, it was my pleasure to commission the Lekki Deep Sea Port, and the Imota Rice Mill, two projects that are very much in line with our administration’s vision of economic diversification and food security.

‘‘The Lekki Deep Sea Port is driven by my vision to bequeath a legacy of poverty elimination through provision of job-creating infrastructure. I placed all matters related to the operationalization of Lekki Deep Seaport on top priority by giving unalloyed backing to the Nigerian Ports Authority and its supervising ministry, the Federal Ministry of Transportation.

‘‘With the commencement of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement which we are signatory, the distinctive features of Lekki Deep Seaport such as full automation which positions it for quick cargo and vessel turn around will greatly enhance the competitiveness of Nigeria’s exports especially agro-allied products in the international marketplace, grow local jobs, increase FOREX inflow and position Nigeria to maximize the opportunities inherent in the  AfCFTA Agreement,” the President disclosed.

Enabling Environment 

The President described Bestaf Lubricant at MRS Holdings Company Limited, Apapa, earlier commissioned by him as a testament to the provision of enabling environment for private sector businesses to thrive.

He noted that the 200m litre lubricant plant, which covers the whole value chain of lubricants and is the first of its kind in West Africa, would prevent the importation of sub-standard products, stop capital flight, and contribute to the generation of foreign exchange for the country, through products exports.

‘‘This plant will go a long way in ensuring that the plants and machinery which are used in Nigeria, have extended lifetime from the use of high-quality lubricants,’’ he said.

President Buhari, who is also scheduled to inaugurate the historic first Phase of the Blue Line of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit and the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History on Tuesday, praised Lagos for maintaining its status as Nigeria’s economic nerve centre and leading subnational economy in Africa.

‘‘It is also a place with which I am very familiar, having lived and served here for long periods during my military career.

‘‘I am therefore no stranger to the rich culture and remarkable hospitality for which Lagos and its people are famous. It is therefore always a pleasure for me to return to Lagos, and to see the remarkable changes taking place constantly.” 

Highlighting the Government’s support to the growth and development of Lagos State, under his watch, the President said; ‘‘We have approved important fiscal waivers required to deliver on key infrastructure projects, including customs duties for BRT Buses, LAG-RIDE vehicles, as well as Rolling Stock for the Blue and Red Rail Lines.

‘‘Lagos was one of the pioneer beneficiaries of our Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, which has transformed the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki Expressway and will deliver a brand-new access road to the new Lekki Deep Sea Port.

‘‘Lagos has benefited from our Sukuk Bond projects – the nearby Ahmadu Bello Way being one of the major roads reconstructed using Sukuk funding,” he added.

 

PIAK

 

 

US breaks ground on rural electrification project in Senegal

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U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has helped kick off a new rural electrification project in Senegal that will bring reliable power to 350,000 people, while supporting some 500 jobs in 14 U.S. states.

Yellen travelled to the site of the project, led by Illinois-based engineering firm Weldy Lamont, as part of a three-country trip to Africa that aims to expand U.S.-African ties and address challenges such as climate change, food security and debt.

The new project received technical assistance from the U.S. Power Africa initiative, capacity building through the U.S. Agency for Trade and Development, and a $102.5 million loan guarantee from the Export-Import Bank, Yellen said.

“Our goal is to further deepen our economic relationship and to invest in expanding energy access in a way that uses renewable resources spread across the continent,” she said.

Senegal has among the highest rates of electrification across Sub-Saharan Africa, between 70% and 80% but access to electricity remains far more limited in rural areas.

Such disparities can hinder opportunity for households and businesses in areas otherwise ripe for economic development, Yellen said.

The project includes an important renewable energy element with a solar grid to power 70 villages. “This groundbreaking will create a higher quality of life in many communities, and it will help Senegal’s economy grow and prosper. It will also help Senegal get one step closer to its goal of universal electricity access by 2025,” she said.

Yellen, who met women and youth entrepreneurs in Dakar on Friday, said the electrification project would allow Senegal to rely on energy sources that are within its borders, cost effective and not prone to the kind of volatility in energy prices sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

She said the US Power Africa project has helped connect 165 million people to reliable electricity across Africa.

Its goal is to add at least 30,000 megawatts (MW) of cleaner and more reliable electricity generation capacity and 60 million new home and business connections by 2030.

Reuters

Oyo South Accord Party Senatorial Candidate Promises Adequate Representation

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The candidate of the Accord Party for the Oyo South Senatorial District in the 2023 elections, Kolapo Kola-Daisi, has said one of his intentions for contesting the seat is to give adequate representation to youths whom he says are very critical to nation-building.

Kola-Daisi, who spoke during a media parley where he discussed his mission for venturing into politics, noted that he would change the narrative of empowering youths and women, saying politicians must learn to move away from mere distribution of motorcycles, dryers and deep freezers, to distribution of things that would meet more of their needs and impact them better.

He noted that youth empowerment and economic emancipation of the country would be his priority if elected as a senator, Kola-Daisi said the country had to get to the level where the needs of the people were tailored to the solutions and empowerments they are provided with.

He stated: “One thing we have noticed is that our people have not really seen adequate representation in the Senate. They don’t know what their senators do and they don’t see them. I have promised them regular engagement to know what the issues are, what ideas they have and we want to propose laws that have direct impact on the people.I tell my constituents that a vote for me is a vote for effective representation and I will be accessible, accountable and responsible.”

While saying that he would also ensure that bills aimed at empowering youths were adequately and quickly passed into law, Kola-Daisi disclosed that he had experience in fund raising, mentoring and working with young people to help them achieve their goals, saying those are some of the things he planned to do when he began to serve the constituents.

The 44-year-old chartered banker, in addressing the issue of his stint in partisan politics being very short, said politics is one of those paths one takes without necessarily having to rise through the ranks, asserting that although a lot of people believe that one has to have been successful in other aspects of life before going into politics, there is the law called not-too-young-to-rule.

He said: “The age limit to be president, according to that law, is 40 years. So, if there is a law in the country that says you only need to be 40 with only secondary school certificate to run as president, then at 44, why should I be thinking that I need to start in a small position before I run for Senate?

“If you look across the world, particularly in Europe, you will see that presidents and prime ministers are very young people. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, got to power at 39 years. We have one of the youngest female prime ministers in Finland in the person of Sanna Marin. She got to office at 33 years. These are leaders that are not only young but have done very well where they have been tested,” Kola-Daisi explained.

He asserted that he had the requisite experience, having been in employment since 2000 and having worked in various capacities in the financial sector, saying he would be 64 in 20 years and would be part of those who would suffer the consequences if he made a wrong decision, as a senator.

Kola-Daisi said: “When it comes to politics, experience counts and experience outside politics also counts. I don’t believe I should have started from any other position. What you should be asking me is why I am not running for president.”

He admonished the people to vote out politicians who are not performing for the sake of the advancement and development of various constituencies, saying all politicians who canvass for votes but disappear for the the next four years after being voted in, only to reappear when it is time for another election, should be voted out.

 

N.O

Nigeria needs value driven leaders – Consultant

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Nigeria needs value-driven leaders with a conscious commitment at all levels to create a corporate culture that optimizes financial performance, ethical practice, social contribution and environmental impact for the growth and development of the country.

This assertion was made by the International Consultant, Global Intellectual Consult Ltd, Prof. Mike Ikupolati while speaking on the need for leaders at all levels and especially the political leaders in Nigeria to imbibe the culture of Value-driven Leadership, in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital.

According to him, “No Nation can develop beyond the leadership capacity available in the Country”.

“Human capital is a key requirement for development in this era of globalization and knowledge drives economy. Leadership is not about yourself but about the people you lead. If your leadership does not have positive impact on the people you lead, then you are an irrelevant leader that is obsolete on the stage’.

Speaking on the forth coming elections in Nigeria, Prof. Ikupolati urged citizens to look at the abilities of a new leader using two basic mandates of leaders.

“Value-driven leaders must be able to deliver on their Constitutional duties such as, protection of lives and Properties of the people or citizens they lead, Installing and Maintaining the Rule of Law in the society, Defending the fundamental Human Rights of the people, Providing the basic and necessary infrastructures needed to guarantee the wellbeing of the people, Good roads, well equipped Hospitals, well-funded educational institutions, Agricultural tools and seeds, etc. and accountability and transparency in governance,” he said.

Following the constitutional duties are the campaign promises made to the people, Party Ideology observed and respected, Decisions in the interest of the greater good of all and respect for people’s sovereignty.”

He noted that at this critical stage of our lives in Nigeria and the complexity of the current political landscape, it is important to understand the criteria for selecting good leaders.

“The commitment of a leader to performance cannot be overemphasized. Leaders must communicate their manifestoes or in organizations their goals and objectives to their followers, every leader should be able to correctly direct the implementation of their programs with the courage to keep moving in the face of opposition, criticism and hard times until the needed growth and development is delivered to the people”.

 

 

N.O

Kwara State: University of Ilorin Inducts 44 Veterinary Doctors

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The University of Ilorin has inducted new set of forty- four veterinary doctors. The Acting Registrar of Veterinary Council of Nigeria, ( VCN) Dr Nurallah Abubakar conducted the induction of the new veterinary doctors at the university’s main auditorium in Ilorin, Kwara State, North Central Nigeria.

 

 

In his remarks at the event, the President of Veterinary Council, Dr Aisha Baju decried the dearth of veterinarians in Nigeria. According to him, the development is dangerous for the healthcare delivery system in the country. Baju who was represented by Dr Nurallah Abubakar, lamented that VCN was one of the least funded federal agencies in Nigeria and urged the federal government to make further budgetary allocation to the council.

 

 

“There is dearth of veterinary doctors in most states in Nigeria. Because of this shortage veterinary doctors can not function in the cities themselves. I don’t know the statistics of veterinarians in Kwara state but most of the states I have been to, I discover that there is shortage of veterinary medical practitioners.

“We receive a lot of complaints about this menace that we have to mobilise and set up a pressure group to talk to the state governments.

This is because many of the state governments do not know the importance of veterinarians when it comes to health,” Baju stated.

 

Earlier, the keynote speaker, who is also the President Commonwealth veterinary Association (CVA),Dr Olatunji Nasir,had said human activities like encroachment into natural habitats of wildlife was responsible for some of the diseases ravaging the globe.

 

Nasir added that  “I appeal to government and professional associations like the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and VCN to sit up. There should be adequate recognition for veterinarians who are doing the gatekeeping about danger inherent in consuming unwholesome meat.”

 

He recommended the increasing use of technology to let members of the public know the potential dangers that abound, adding that, “the increasing population of the world poses a danger to land use;monitoring of the activities of herders and cattle dealers to check contamination of rivers and streams in the country. Curtailment of consumption of wildlife.”

“Others are government’s improvement of vaccination strategies to prevent vaccines-preventable diseases and ministries of Agriculture at both state and federal levels should improve surveillance activities and this should be done with development partners as well as increased budgetary allocations for health and veterinary related interventions,” Nasir added.

 

 

In his brief remarks, the vice chancellor of the university of Ilorin, Prof AbdulWahab Egbewole, charged the new veterinary doctors to be of good conduct in their practice and good ambassador of their alma mater.

 

 

 

 

S.S

Women lawyers declare support for Tinubu, Gawuna in Kano State

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A group of Women lawyers in Kano state have declared support for the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the state APC Gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Chairlady of the Group, Barrister Nafisa Abba Isma’il Esq. in Kano on Monday.

According to Barrister Nafisa Isma’il, the 250 women lawyers made their position known when they visited the Tinubu Campaign Office in Kano under the leadership of its North West Director, Bappa Babba Danagund.

They said they decided to support Tinubu and Gawuna after assessing all the Presidential candidates and Kano gubernatorial candidates and found out that the duo are the best among all the candidates.

The group described Tinubu as the best Presidential Candidate in view of his antecedent in Lagos, his human development policies and his relationship with the judiciary.

We believe that looking at his antecedent in Lagos, it’s our hope and believe that he will make the judiciary great. For this reason, we believe Tinubu is the right person to support and vote for.

“When judiciary is allowed to work and get adequate funding, then there will be no corruption in the country’s judicial system as judges will stand up to their feet and do what is right,” Barrister Nafisa said.

She thanked Dan’agundi for providing the platform to meet with Tinubu when he visited Kano recently in addition to arranging a special meeting with the State APC Gubernatorial candidate at the Presidential Campaign Office.

The leader of the group told the Director that the group had started mobilisig women lawyers in the entire north west geo-political zone with a view to bringing them on board for success of the party in the forthcoming general election.

In his remarks, Dan’agundi thanked the women lawyers and urged them to mobilise their members in the entire northern and southern parts of the country for the victory of party in the upcoming general elections.

The Director further commended the group for endorsing Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the Kano APC Gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna and urged them to continue to work together for the victory in State and country at large.

Dan’agundi, who promised to ensure good working relationship with the group, urged them to guide and enlighten other APC members on the dos and donts of the Electoral Act

We sincerely appreciate your gesture and support because it’s the first of its kind in the whole federation.

“The first time a teeming populace of women lawyers coming together to endorse a particular candidate. This is quite encouraging and we’ll never let you down,” said Dan’agundi

 

N.O