ABUJA, July 20, (Xinhua/GNA) — At least 125 suspected terrorists have been killed, in separate anti-terror raids by the military across Nigeria, in the past week, a local official said on Friday.
Edward Buba, spokesman for the military, told reporters in the Nigerian capital of Abuja that more than 200 others were arrested, during the “successful operations.” Buba said the troops rescued 140 victims of kidnapping during the raids, adding that a total of 120 assorted weapons and 1,793 assorted ammunition, six vehicles, 11 motorcycles, and five bicycles, among others, were recovered during the period.
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Politics SA Priorities
South African president vows to prioritize economic growth, poverty reduction
JOHANNESBURG, July 20, (Xinhua/GNA) — South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has pledged that the Government of National Unity (GNU), will advance three strategic priorities over the next five years, in a bid to promote economic growth and reduce poverty.
“We have decided to place inclusive economic growth at the center of the work of the GNU, and at the top of the national agenda.”
Ramaphosa made the remarks Thursday night, while addressing the Opening of Parliament at Cape Town City Hall.
The three strategic priorities include driving inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty, and tackling the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical and developmental state. The president said the new South African administration will continue to pursue programs that encourage broad-based black economic empowerment, employment equity and support to small and medium-sized enterprises. “We will increase funding to land reform, prioritize the transfer of state land and improve post-settlement support by strengthening the institutional capacity of responsible structures,” said Ramaphosa.
He also vowed to forge a new inclusive growth path, by pursuing a massive investment in infrastructure in the next five years.
To create more jobs for South Africans, the government will focus on processing minerals to export finished products rather than raw commodities, according to the president.
Ramaphosa pledged to expand investments in renewable energy for inclusive growth, as the country has some of the best solar and wind resources in the world.
GNA