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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday swore in Engr. Dr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma as Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

Darma was appointed following the resignation of Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.

Darma is a distinguished Nigerian scholar, administrator, and development expert who holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the University of Liverpool and a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Atlantic International University, USA.

He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bayero University, Kano, and later earned a Master’s in Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Benin.

A member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Institute of Management, Dr Darma served as Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund from 2008 to 2012. Thereafter, he held key positions, including Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, and Commissioner for Rural and Social Development in Katsina State, among others.

He has also contributed to academia as a lecturer at Bayero University, Kano.

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A faction of Boko Haram, officially known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), has reportedly selected 68 women from a group of 416 abducted victims, with plans to distribute them among its members.

The alarming disclosure was made on Thursday by the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, who told SaharaReporters that he was directly contacted by one of the insurgents detailing their next line of action amid what they described as government inaction.

According to Kaigama, the contact occurred around 8:00 PM on April 23, when individuals identifying themselves as members of JAS reached out regarding the abducted Ngoshe victims.

“During the communication, they claimed that they have selected 68 women out of the reported 416 captives and intend to distribute them among their members, similar to previous abduction cases,” Kaigama said.

He added that the insurgents issued a threat, indicating that some of the captives could be harmed or killed based on their internal selection process.

The terrorists also indicated that between 50 and 60 individuals could be targeted for execution.

The development has heightened concerns over the fate of hundreds of women, children, and other vulnerable individuals still held by the insurgents in Borno State.

Kaigama described the situation as a grave humanitarian emergency, urging immediate intervention from Nigeria’s security architecture, including the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and military authorities.

“Given the seriousness of these claims and the immediate danger to innocent lives, we strongly believe that all relevant security agencies should urgently become involved,” he said.

He called on authorities to deploy all lawful means to gather intelligence, verify the threats, and secure the safe release of the captives.

“This is beyond politics. This is a humanitarian emergency involving innocent citizens whose lives may depend on urgent intervention,” Kaigama stressed.

The BOSYA president reaffirmed the group’s commitment to advocating for the safe return of all abducted Southern Borno indigenes through lawful and peaceful means.

However, on Thursday, Daily Trust reported that at least 12 of the victims had reportedly escaped captivity following a military offensive on the insurgents’ hideout.

Out of the 416 abducted persons, 404 are still believed to be in captivity.

A community source from Pulka said the escapees, 10 men and two women, regained freedom amid the chaos triggered by the bombardment.

Kaigama also confirmed the development, noting that the victims escaped on Wednesday and were safe.

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More than 16,000 workers are set to lose their jobs at Meta and Microsoft as both companies ramp up spending on artificial intelligence and continue cost-cutting measures.

According to CNBC, Meta, the parent company of Instagram and WhatsApp, said it would lay off about 8,000 employees, representing around 10 per cent of its workforce, as it seeks efficiency savings while increasing investment in AI.

The company also said about 6,000 vacant positions would remain unfilled.

Meta had earlier told investors that its spending would top $160 billion during 2026, up from just under $120 billion last year.

The social media giant is competing with rivals to hire AI experts while also facing huge costs for data centres needed to power the technology.

Microsoft, meanwhile, said it was offering a voluntary redundancy programme that the Associated Press reported would affect about 8,750 workers within its core United States workforce.

That figure represents about 7 per cent of the company’s total staff.

CNBC had earlier reported that the scheme would be rolled out early next month.

The broadcaster said workers were informed in a memo from Microsoft chief people officer Amy Coleman.

“Our hope is that this program gives those eligible the choice to take that next step on their own terms, with generous company support,” she wrote.

The latest announcements continue a wave of job cuts across major US technology firms as investment in artificial intelligence accelerates.