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 EFCC Arrests 18 for Suspected Illegal Mining Activities in Ilorin Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested eighteen suspects for offences bordering on illegal mining activities. 13 truckloads with assorted solid minerals suspected to be lithium, marble stone, white powder, lepidolite among others were also arrested and recovered from the suspects. The suspects are Saidu Madugu, Adamu Amadu, Lawal Ibrahim, Mohammed Mustapha, Abdulkarim Hassaini, Isiaka Abubakar, Shafiu Salisu, Abdullahi Yanda Isa, Bashiru Mohammed, Anas Saidu, Asa Bature, Abudu Sani, Jabir Salisu, Bello Muhammed, Habilu Idris, Fatai Abdullai, Isyiaka Hamidu and Oseni Lukman. All the suspects were arrested on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 except the trio of Fatai, Isyiaka and Oseni that were arrested on Thursday, June 13, 2024. The arrest followed credible intelligence about the activities of some suspects conveying illegally mined solid minerals along ...

 Engineer, Five others Jailed for Internet  Fraud in Ilorin  Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 sentenced a Civil Engineer, Abeeb Uthman Jasola  to six months imprisonment for offences bordering on cybercrime and retention of proceeds of crime.   Jasola was prosecuted alongside Oladimeji Abubakar Oseni and Victor Anuoluwapo Kayode by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on separate charges, to which they pleaded guilty.   Three other internet fraudsters: Parakoyi Raihan Tobiloba, Morenikeji Mazeed Ayomide  and Solihu Abubakar Sodiq were also jailed. While  Justice Olukayode Ariwoola  of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin jailed Tobiloba Justice Anyadike of the same court convicted the duo of Ayomide and Solihu.   Jasola was arraigned on four- count charges  bordering on internet fraud while the other five convicts were arra...

 Kano emirship tussle: Court accepts to hear suit challenging Bayero’s dethronement A federal high court in Kano has ruled that it has the jurisdiction to hear a suit regarding the Kano Emirates tussle between Lamido Sanusi and Aminu Bayero. The suit filed by Aminu Babba Dan Agundi and Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano emirate seeks to restrain the respondents from enforcing, implementing, and operationalising the repealed law that reinstated Sanusi as Emir of Kano. The respondents in the suit are the Kano state government, the Kano state house of assembly, the speaker of the state assembly, and the attorney-general of Kano. Others are the Kano state commissioner of police, the inspector-general of police (IGP), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS). At the previous court session, M.S. Waziri, counsel to the applicants, submitted that the court could hear the matter as it borders on fundamental human rights. “The applicant, a...

 Police ban durbar activities during Eid-el-Kabir in Kano The police command in Kano has banned all durbar activities in the state during the Eid-El-Kabir celebration. The Sallah celebration is expected to take place on June 17. A durbar is a festival held during Eid-el-Kabir and Eid-el-Fitri celebrations. It begins with prayers, followed by a parade of the Emir and his entourage on horses. In a statement on Thursday, Abdullahi Kiyawa, police spokesperson in Kano, said the ban is to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the larger community during the celebration. He said worshippers should conduct their normal Eid prayers at designated praying grounds. “The Kano State Police Command congratulates the Muslim faithful and all law-abiding residents of the state for witnessing yet another Eid-El-Kabir Sallah period and assures that adequate security deployments have been put in place to ensure no breakdown of law and order in all parts of the state before, during, and after the...

 World Bank to CBN: Interest rate hikes may not control inflation     The World Bank says there is a possibility the monetary policy tightening by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would not rein inflation. In its global economic prospects report released on Wednesday, the Bretton Woods institution said one of the risks of Nigeria’s economic growth is the failure of tightening policies on inflation. The tightening of the monetary policy rate (MPR) is the increase of interest rate to control soaring inflation. Since the resumption of the monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting this year, interest rates have increased from 22.75 percent in February to 26.25 percent in May – a total increase of 750 basis points. “Risks to Nigeria’s growth outlook are substantial, including the possibility that the tightening of monetary policy stops short of reining in inflation,” the World Bank said. The report also predicted Nigeria’s economic growth rate outlook for the rest of 2024 and 2...

 Refinery: Oil Sector Mafia Fighting Us – Dangote Africa’s richest person, Aliko Dangote, says local and foreign mafia tried several times to sabotage his $19 billion refinery from coming to fruition. This is as he said he has repaid about $2.4 billion of the $5.5 billion borrowed to build the refinery. According to him, several entities did everything to sabotage the 650,000 barrels per day facility. He spoke Wednesday at the Afreximbank annual meetings (AAN) and AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum in Nassau, The Bahamas. Dangote said he was aware that resistance would always exist, but he did not anticipate it being so harsh. “Well, I knew that there would be a fight. But I didn’t know that the mafia in oil, they are stronger than the mafia in drugs. I can tell you that. Yes, it’s a fact. The local and foreign mafia tried several times to sabotage the refinery from coming to fruition,” he said. The businessman, who tagged himself a fighter throughout his life, said the mafia...

 TROOPS RAID IPOB/ESN TRAINING CAMP IN ABIA STATE, CLEAR BANDITS HIDEOUTS IN ONDO, RECOVER ARMS, AMMUNITION  In a clearance operation conducted in the  early hours of Wednesday 12 June 2024, troops of the Nigerian Army  in conjunction with a Task Force Tactical Patrol Squad conducted a raid on a training camp of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) located in Ihechiowa community of Arochukwu Local Government Area of  Abia State. During the operation, troops successfully infiltrate and dismantled the camp, destroying all training apparatus and facilities found on-site. The raid marks a critical move in the ongoing efforts to curb acts of terrorism by IPOB and ESN, which have been linked to various security challenges and violence unleashed on innocent citizens as well as security operatives in the state.  In addition to the destruction of the training camp, the troops also targeted buildings used as hi...

 UPDATE ON TROOPS' CLEARANCE OPERATIONS IN ABIA STATE Sequel to additional intelligence gathered in the aftermath of recent raid operations against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) conducted in  Ihechiowa community of Arochukwu Local Government in Abia State,  troops in collaboration with other security agencies, have intensified their operations by raiding  and clearing  IPOB/ESN camps in the Umudi Forest and Umuaku areas of Umunneochi Local Government Area (LGA) today. The operations commenced with an offensive on the first terrorists' camp, where troops encountered resistance and in the firefight, troops neutralized two terrorists, while others took to their heels having been overwhelmed by superior firepower. The terrorists' camp was subsequently destroyed. Further operations led to the destruction of a shrine and another camp, with several items recovered from the sites. Items recovered include: -...

 RE: SOLDIERS AT NIGERIAN CANTONMENT DECRY HARSH CONDITIONS THEATRE COMMANDER SHAIBA CUT OFF OUR WATER SUPPLY LEAVING US TO BUY WATER AT 2,000 DAILY  1. The attention of Headquarters 7 Division Operation HADIN KAI located in Maimalari Military Cantonment has been drawn to a false and malicious publication, making the rounds on social media published by Sahara Reporters dated 12 June 2024. The publication had alleged that soldiers in Maimalari Military Cantonment were subjected to acute suffering due to the unavailability of electricity, water, and other social amenities in the Cantonment. The Headquarters 7 Division wishes to state in clear terms that the report is false and mere insinuation. 2. Presently, residents of Maimalari Military Cantonment are not facing challenges of water and electricity supply, as the Cantonment enjoys regular supply of electricity and water. Overtime, the Nigerian Army has made provision for boreholes that compliment the pipe-borne water equally s...

 Alleged N80.2b Money Laundering: Court Shifts Yahaya Bello’s Arraignment to June 27 Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, June 13,  2024 adjourned the arraignment proceedings of a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello to June 27,  2024. The adjournment followed discrepancies between the EFCC and defence counsels on the actual date of Bello's appearance in court for his arraignment. While defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, told the court that EFCC  lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, requested for a new date owing to the fact that the June 13 date was not convenient for him, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, one of the prosecution counsels denied any request for a new date of arraignment. Addressing the court on the issue,  Oyedepo said the matter was adjourned till June 13, 2024 at the last sitting of the court. “With due respect to my learned friend, I think this court deserves respect... Attempting to rob the officers of...

 Yahaya Bello:  Appeal Court Quashes Contempt Charge against EFCC,  Olukoyede The Court of Appeal, Abuja has quashed a previous ruling made by a Kogi State High Court against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, concerning a contempt case and restraining order  filed by former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello. In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Joseph O.K. Oyewole, the appellate court on Thursday, June 13, 2024  held that “ a court of law cannot preclude the EFCC or any Law Enforcement Agency from investigating and prosecuting crime.  This is a fundamental jurisdictional point that cannot be shoved aside as it borders on the doctrine of separation of powers. The argument of the Respondent that no ground covers this point cannot stand in view of the instant circumstance”. The EFCC had approached the Court of Appeal to halt the execution of an order of Justice Isa Jamil of the Kogi State High Court summ...

 Dubai Police Surprise Honest Student Among His Peers   Al Qusais Police Station surprised a student at Omar Bin Al Khattab School with a special honour among his peers in appreciation of his honesty after he had returned a wallet containing a sum of money to its owner after finding it in the Al Muhaisnah 4 area within the jurisdiction of Al Qusais Police Station.    Colonel Jamal Ibrahim Ali, Deputy Director of Al Qusais Police Station, honoured the student, Ahmad Saleh Ali Muhammad, in the presence of Lieutenant Colonel Nasser Abdulaziz Al Khaja, Head of the Administrative Affairs Department, Lieutenant Dana Al Muhairi from the Customer Happiness Department, and the school principal, Huda Yusuf, and members of the school's teaching staff. Colonel Jamal Ibrahim stated that the honouring comes within the "We Reach You to Thank You" initiative, which aims to honour external collaborators and partners in their places and among their peers. He praised Ahmad's honesty, g...

 Anambra Assembly passed 11 bills out of 21bills in one year. By Chizoba Okeke Anastasia Agunwa Gloria Abugu The Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr Somtochukwu Udeze has said that the 8th Assembly under his leadership has passed 11 out 21 bills presented before it in just one year in office. Mr Udeze disclosed this while briefing journalists at the legislative complex in Awka, about the performances and achievements of the 8th Assembly since their inauguration on June 12, 2023. Recall that on 12 June, 2023 the eight Assembly was inaugurated and Mr Somotochukwu Udeze emerged the eight speaker of the Assembly  The speaker commended members of the 8th Assembly for their resolve and commitment towards the development of the state, regardless of party affiliations. He further disclosed that 62 motions and about 70 resolutions were considered within the review period, according to him, out of the 21 bills, 11 were executive bills, while 10 were private member bills, all cr...

 Strengthen Your Life With The Present Day Economic Misfortune, Says Cleric By David Okpala/Stella Okpala Vicar, St Paul's Catholic Church Akpo, Rev Fr George Arugbue has called on Nigerians to make present day economic woes stepping stone, to better life. Fr Arugbue stated this while admonishing congregation shortly after Mass at the Church, in Aguata LGA, on June 9. The cleric noted that the globe has been witnessing economic downturn and Nigeria has had large share of it before now. He appreciated God who preserved the lives of His children during the Nigeria Civil War where disease claimed many lives, yet there were survivals. "The story of Austerity Measure, Structure Adjustment Programme(SAP) are not far history. "Some of us living today witnessed this economic woes, yet we are living to tell stories about it today. God who did it to us then is still our God, promising to do more. Let us acknowledge the reality of Nigeria economy today, adjust to fit into it," ...

 Islamists in eastern Congo, local officials say Suspected Islamist rebels killed over 20 people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province on Wednesday, two officials from the local administration said on Thursday. The attack took place on the village of Mayikengo in Lubero territory. Lubero administrator Alain Kiwewa said a toll of between 20 and 30 had been reported on Thursday morning. He blamed the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group affiliated to the Islamic State that started as a Ugandan insurgency but has operated from the jungles of eastern Congo for almost three decades, Reuters reported. Another local official, sector chief Macaire Sivikunula, said 25 people were killed including six women. He also blamed the ADF. The assailants asked residents to gather in a market for a meeting and then attacked the crowd with fire arms and machetes, Sivikunula said. The ADF are accused of killing over 80 people in similar attacks on villages in the same p...

 South Africa reports second mpox death A second person has died in South Africa this week from the viral infection mpox, the health ministry said on Thursday, less than 24 hours after it announced the first death. The second person who died was a 38-year-old man. He was admitted to a hospital in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province with extensive lesions, headache, fatigue, oral ulcers, muscle pain and a sore throat. He tested positive for mpox on Wednesday. The total number of laboratory-confirmed mpox cases stands at six, with two deaths since the first case was recorded five weeks ago.

 Banditry now an ‘industry’ in Zamfara State, says Police Commissioner The Commissioner of Police in Zamfara State, Muhammad Dalijan Shehu, has made a startling revelation, describing banditry as an “industry” in the state. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, June 12, Shehu highlighted the complexity of the situation, noting the involvement of various individuals, including a former local government chairman and a district head, in banditry activities. “We can say now banditry is an industry in Zamfara state,” Shehu stated, underscoring the severity of the issue. He revealed that recent arrests included a member of the state House of Assembly, a district head, and a former local government chairman, demonstrating the broad spectrum of people involved in these criminal activities. Highlighting the disturbing nature of the situation, Shehu mentioned that the district head arrested was found to be supplying drugs to the bandits. “More alarming and more disturbing, is the involvement o...

 ECOWAS Court refuses to review judgment on sack of Commission's Staff The Court of justice of the Economic Community of West African State has rejected the request by the ECOWAS Commission and its President to review the judgment that nullified their sack of a staff of the Commission, Suleiman Mohammad Hussaini. The Court had in 2022 held that the appointment of Hussaini, a Controller with the ECOWAS Commission was illegally and unlawfully terminated by the Commission and its President. In a ruling on the application by the ECOWAS Commission seeking a review of the judgment against it, Justice Dupe Atoki held that the application was inadmissible, lacked merit and dismissed it. Justice Atoki who is a member of the 3-man panel of Justices that heard the ECOWAS Commission's application said that reasons advanced in the application for review of the judgment delivered on March 10, 2022 was untenabled. The judgment delivered in the suit marked ECW/CCJ/JUD/03/22 had faulted the ter...

 Pope Francis to meet with Biden, Zelenskyy and other world leaders at G-7 summit Pope Francis will meet with the leaders of the United States, Ukraine, France and India on the sidelines of the Group of 7 (G-7) summit in Italy's Borgo Egnazia, the Vatican said on Thursday. Francis, who in January warned against the "perverse" dangers of artificial intelligence, is due to take part in leaders' talks on the new technology on Friday. He is the first pope to take part in G-7 discussions. Issuing a program for his one-day appearance, the Vatican said Francis would have a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, a fellow Catholic. The Vatican said he would also have one-on-one meetings with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, France's Emmanuel Macron, India's Narendra Modi, Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Canada's Justin Trudeau, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Kenya's William Ruto, Algeria's Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and the head of the In...

 Southern Poverty Law Center cuts 60 jobs amid union claims of donation 'hoarding' The left-wing Southern Poverty Law Center reportedly laid off more than 60 employees late Wednesday, leading at least one member of its union to assail the Montgomery, Alabama.-based organization on X, formerly Twitter.  The organization has long been known for its cataloging of purported "hate groups" and "enabler" groups or individuals, including several evangelical and Catholic entities, conservative members of Congress and the late radio icon Rush Limbaugh – all of which are sprinkled among its monitoring of groups more widely considered racist or misogynist such as the Ku Klux Klan and Proud Boys. Several of the reported layoffs affected top officials in the organization's union, which was reportedly organized in 2019 to fight "inequitable" practices at the organization. "Today, SPLC – my employer – laid off over 60 of our union members, essentially shu...

 Grammy: Portable drags Davido for giving him ‘bad advice’ Controversial Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, has called out his colleague Davido for allegedly giving him ‘bad advice’ during their recent dinner in the United States. The ‘Zazu’ crooner claimed that Davido, who signed to Sony Music, advised him against joining the label, urging him to sign with Empire instead. Portable alleged foul play, saying he is also aiming for a Grammy like Davido yet the DMW boss is asking him to join a label that might not influence the award for him. Speaking during a recent Instagram Live session, Portable said: “You are signed to Sony Music, but you’re giving me bad advice in America to get signed to Empire and collect advance. The same Grammy you’re chasing is what I’m also chasing.” The controversial singer stated that he prefers helpers who would help him genuinely and not listen to gossip or give him bad advice. “Olamide helped me directly, Skepta gave me a verse, money, shoe...

 "I can love five women at once" - Singer Ruger Nigerian singer Michael Adebayo Olayinka, popularly known as Ruger, has opened up about his romantic life. In a recent interview with The Beat 99.9 FM, Lagos, Ruger revealed his unique ability to love multiple women simultaneously, stating, “I can fall in love with five different women at the same time. I don’t know if it’s possible for others but I can do it. And I will actually love them, not infatuation.” Ruger shared that he falls in love easily, with gifts and compliments significantly influencing his feelings. “It’s just easy for me to fall in love. Gifts and compliments make me develop feelings for ladies. I really appreciate gifts and compliments,” he explained. Ruger also clarified his musical versatility, stating, “I can do every other thing [genre of music] but I am an Afrobeats artiste.”

  I can’t go nude or semi nude for any reason – Celyn Ukam Popular fashion and lifestyle enthusiast Celyn Ukam has frowned against going nude or semi nude all In the name of selling content online.  Celyn Ukam said that “there is no justification for going in disguise for content.” Celyn Ukam explained that fashion trends and influencers have begun using clothing as a way to pave the path to the rise of new fashion trend.  Celyn in her words said “wearing clothes for the sake of fashion trend is fine; but showing nudity regularly is not appropriate.  Celyn Ukam during an interview session with journalists, argued that ‘talent does not ask for nudity: instead it ask for confidence, skills, determination and self-esteem.  ” Whether nudity on content is right or not depends on the content creators and how it affects the audience; but as for me, I can’t do that” Celyn said. The popular TikTok star further stated that there are instances of how nudity on social medi...

 Police apprehend gang involved in selling registered SIM cards to criminals. The Federal Capital Territory Police Command recently apprehended six individuals involved in a scheme where they registered Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards using innocent citizens' identities and then sold them to criminals. The suspects, including Ndubuisi Okeh, John Jock, Nafiu Tijani, Nasiru Sulaiman, John Njoku, and Suleiman Musa, were arrested after a coordinated operation led by the State Intelligence Department. The suspects sold these SIM cards to criminals for prices ranging from ₦3,000 to ₦5,000. The police recovered 1,100 registered SIM cards, three registration machines, two fingerprint machines, and a mobile phone from the suspects. The Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igwe, explained that criminals exploit street SIM card vendors to obtain the details of unsuspecting residents, including their National Identity Numbers, to register multiple SIM cards. Additionally, Igwe mentioned the ...

 Nigerian Singer Burna Boy on Wednesday distributed foodstuffs to vulnerable families in Azuabie community in Trans Amadi axis, Port Harcourt Burna Boy, through the REACH Foundation has distributed foodstuffs to people in various Communities in Rivers State More photos below. 

 Nigerian Content Creator, Yanbaba Arrested Over Recent Podcast  Mr Chijioke Igwendu also know as Yanbaba is under arrest by Anambra state police Zone 13 Ukpo Following with petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 13 Ukpo, Anambra state on 11th of June, 2024, The founder of Yan Kontent Factory and promoter of Gbam, an online podcast was this afternoon arrested and questioned by men of Nigerian Police Force. He was further asked by the police to produce his accomplice Chinwe Splendor with immediate effect for proper interrogation and prosecution. Member of the Anambra Real Estate Developers Association present during his interrogation are; The acting Chairman, Nwafor Chisom Martin, Chief Kingsley Obika, CEO ROCK-LINK REAL ESTATE COMPANY LIMITED, Collins Igwe, acting Secretary, Hon Stanley Excel Anowai, CEO PASVIC HOMES AND SERVICES.

 Footballers’ unions take FIFA to court over Club World Cup The professional footballers’ unions of England (PFA) and France (UNFP) took FIFA to court in Brussels on Thursday to challenge the timetable “unilaterally set” by the world body, in particular its new Club World Cup in 2025. Players’ unions have complained that the expanded Club World Cup, due to take place in the United States in June and July next year, is an unacceptable additional burden on players. The organisations “believe that these decisions violate the rights of players and their unions under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights while also potentially violating EU competition law”, the global professional footballers union FIFPRO said in a statement. With the support of FIFPRO, UNFP and PFA have asked the Brussels Commercial Court to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union by putting forward “four questions for a preliminary ruling”. “Players and their unions have consistently highlighted th...

  Fonseca named new AC Milan coach Former Roma coach Paulo Fonseca is to return to Italy as the new boss of AC Milan, the Serie A runners-up announced on Thursday. “Milan’s new coach will be Paulo Fonseca,” said former Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, representing the owner, at a press conference. Fonseca, 51, who has signed a three-year contract, has been with French club Lille since 2022. He succeeds Stefano Pioli, who was sacked at the end of the 2023-24 season after five seasons in charge. “We studied very carefully what he did, how he prepared his matches,” said Ibrahimovic, who had two spells as a player with the club, ending his on-field career with Milan in 2023. “We want him to bring his identity of game, his offensive style to our team, to our players. “After five years we wanted something new, with all respect to Stefano Pioli.” Born in Nampula, Mozambique, in 1973, Fonseca began his coaching career in Portugal with stints at Pacos de Ferreira, Porto and Braga before sp...

 Supreme Court refuses to join state assemblies in Nigerian Govt’s LG autonomy suit The Supreme Court on Thursday in Abuja bluntly refused to allow the State Houses of Assembly to be joined as defendants in the suit filed by the Federal Government against the 36 state governors seeking full autonomy for the 774 local governments in the country. The apex court held that the Houses of Assembly have no business to be in the matter for reasons of law and jurisdiction. President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, at Thursday’s proceedings applied on behalf of the Speaker of Kebbi State House of Assembly to be joined as a party in the matter. However before the senior lawyer could proceed further, Justice Garba Lawal, leading a seven-man panel of justices of the Supreme Court, cut in and asked if the State Houses of Assembly can legally join a matter between the Federal Government and the state governors. Justice Garba Lawal also asked the NBA President if the ape...

 APC can no longer win elections without rigging – Lukman Former Director General of Progressive Governors’ Forum, PGF, and immediate-past National Vice Chairman, North West of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Salihu Lukman has said that the party can no longer win elections without rigging. Lukman, in a statement on Wednesday said he found it necessary to write to a few leaders of the party and try to clarify his position regarding the situation both in the party and in the country. “It is a shared concern of most leaders of the party that the situation in the country has deteriorated in the last year since the assumption of office of President Bola Tinubu. “Given a reality that the party structures have been demobilized and the government is implementing policies that have eroded the value of incomes of citizens, conditions of living are rapidly getting worse by the day. With that, both the APC and the governments it controls are getting more and more unpopular. “It doe...