Leading mobile technology and smart life brand, itel, has clinched the prestigious Most Impactful CSR of the Year Award at the Titan of Tech Awards and Game Changers Gala Night, held on July 25, 2025, at the elegant Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

This accolade comes in recognition of itel’s far-reaching Love Always On CSR initiative, which has continued to transform lives across Nigeria through a series of purposeful, community-driven projects.

In the first half of 2025, itel demonstrated unwavering commitment to social good by executing two high-impact CSR programmes. On April 16, itel commissioned an electric borehole at Brigade Gama (B), Kasuwar Takari community, located in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, addressing a long-standing water scarcity issue and directly contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6; ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all.

Furthermore, to commemorate Children’s Day 2025, itel, in partnership with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Channel 10, donated learning materials to over 51 schools during a grand celebration held at the NTA Grounds, Tejuosho Avenue, Yaba, Lagos. This initiative aligns with SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.

Speaking to newsmen at the awards ceremony, Terngu Simeon Shagba, Public Relations Supervisor at itel Mobile Nigeria, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the recognition:

“This award is a reflection of itel’s genuine desire to make life better for people in underserved communities. We believe love is an action word – and through our Love Always On campaigns, we’ve shown that brands can lead with empathy, inclusion, and purpose.”

Echoing this sentiment, Dolapo Samuel Olorun-nimbe, ATL Marketing Manager at itel, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to impactful community engagement:

“itel doesn’t just sell devices; we try to improve our society. Guided by the belief that technology and kindness go hand in hand, our CSR initiatives are focused on building stronger communities and a brighter tomorrow. As a tech empowerment brand, we are committed to making innovation accessible to all by designing products that are reliable, and inclusive, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the benefits of smart living.”

itel’s Love Always On initiative has now become a beacon of corporate responsibility in Nigeria, delivering tangible results that resonate across sectors; from education to public health and beyond.
As the brand continues to innovate and expand its reach, it remains deeply committed to sustainable development and empowering communities; proving that itel is more than a smart life brand; it is a brand that cares deeply about its customers and prospects. Through its New itel, New Experience philosophy, itel emphasizes delivering quality products that meet the evolving needs of its users while enriching lives across every touchpoint.

The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) will on Thursday, September 18, 2025, convene Nigeria’s first National Interactive Forum for Judges on Whistleblowing and Whistleblower Protection in the nation’s capital, Abuja. Convened in partnership with Tap iNitiative, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI) and Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development (PRIMORG), the theme of the forum is: The Judiciary and Whistleblower Protection in Nigeria: Challenges and Responsibilities.

It is billed as a landmark endeavour aimed at deepening judicial understanding of the critical role of the courts in protecting whistleblowers and interpreting emerging norms in the legal environment of whistleblowing. It forms part of AFRICMIL’s sustained advocacy for a dedicated whistleblower protection law in Nigeria. The workshop will feature select judges of the Federal High Courts across the six zones of the country. Also expected are heads of anti-corruption agencies, police, members of civil society organisations and the media. The keynote speech will be delivered by Anthony Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission. A five-member panel will reflect on the address and share perspectives on the forum’s theme.

In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Dr Chido Onumah, AFRICMIL said: “The judiciary is the cornerstone of any effective whistleblower protection system. As we continue to advocate a robust legal framework, it is imperative that our judges are equipped with the knowledge and perspective to handle whistleblower cases with wisdom and fairness. This forum will create a space for dialogue between the judiciary and civil society on this matter of urgent public importance.”

The forum will focus on issues such as balancing transparency with national security, ensuring the anonymity of whistleblowers, and adjudicating cases of retaliation. It will also provide a platform for sharing best practices and developing a harmonised approach to whistleblower litigation. AFRICMIL noted that nine years after Nigeria introduced a whistleblower policy through the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA), the absence of a law has weakened public confidence. While the policy led to significant recoveries of stolen funds in its early years, the lack of legal protection has discouraged citizens from reporting wrongdoing.

“A well-informed judiciary is essential for the success of any whistleblower legislation. The enactment of a law is only the first step. Its effectiveness will ultimately be determined by the courts. We are therefore proactively engaging the guardians of our constitution to build consensus on the importance of protecting citizens who expose corruption,” the statement added. AFRICMIL called on the government to treat this initiative as a complementary effort in the fight against corruption and to accelerate the process of transmitting a draft whistleblower protection bill to the National Assembly.

The event is supported by the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF), MacArthur Foundation, Whistleblowing International Network (WIN), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN).

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) on Monday called on Governments in Nigeria to rededicate themselves to strengthening democratic institutions, safeguarding civic space, protecting free expression and ensuring the free flow of information as essential pillars of democracy as it joined the global community in commemorating this year’s International Day of Democracy.

Noting that this year’s theme, “Achieving Gender Equality, Action by Action,” is particularly relevant for Nigeria, where there has been a scandalous marginalization of women in governance at all levels, MRA stressed that gender equality is not only a human right but also a fundamental requirement for a resilient and inclusive democracy.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/62/7 on November 8, 2007, in which it decided to observe September 15 of each year as the International Day of Democracy and invited all UN Member States, organizations of the UN system, regional and intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and individuals to commemorate the Day in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness.

In a statement issued in Lagos to mark the 18th anniversary of the Day, Mr. John Gbadamosi, MRA’s Programme Officer, said: “As we mark this year’s International Democracy Day, we wish to remind our leaders at all levels of government that democracy is more than elections; it is about creating an open society where transparency and accountability, equal participation, and human rights are guaranteed.”

According to him, “Democracy thrives when all citizens, women and men alike, are able to participate equally in shaping their societies. Unfortunately, Nigerian women continue to face disproportionate barriers in politics, governance, and the media, among other sectors. Structural inequalities, gender-based violence, online harassment, and under-representation in decision-making processes undermine both women’s rights and the quality of Nigeria’s democracy. Achieving gender equality, step by step and action by action, is central to building the open, just, and accountable Nigeria we all desire.”

Mr. Gbadamosi identified Nigeria’s current democratic challenges to include a shrinking civic space where dissent and critical opinions are not tolerated, rising disinformation, and frequent attacks on journalists which threaten to undermine democratic gains, adding that “Democracy cannot thrive where citizens lack access to information, where the media is under attack, and where voices critical of those in power are silenced.”

He said corruption has become one of the biggest betrayals of Nigeria’s democracy, noting that although every new government has vowed to fight corruption, public resources continue to disappear, enriching a few while leaving millions in poverty, with the result that instead of democracy delivering prosperity, corruption has deepened inequality and eroded people’s trust in democracy.”

Although he acknowledged that Nigeria has made some progress since the return to democratic rule as the country has experienced the longest stretch of civilian rule in its history, marked by peaceful transfers of power, he contended that recent developments, including the rampant harassment of journalists, growing intolerance of dissent, and inadequate implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011, show that the democratic culture is yet to mature and remains fragile.

But Mr. Gbadamosi argued that “although democracy has not yet delivered its full dividends in Nigeria, it still offers the best path forward for the country as through collective step by step action, we can build a democracy that works for everyone.”

In order to strengthen and sustain Nigeria’s democracy, he urged the Federal and State Governments to guarantee freedom of expression and media freedom by ending attacks, harassment, and censorship of journalists and media workers; fully implementing the FOI Act to ensure transparency and accountability in governance; and safeguard digital rights and Internet freedom by enacting rights-respecting regulations that foster access, innovation, and citizen participation.

Mr. Gbadamosi called on governments to promote women’s political participation by adopting affirmative measures to increase women’s representation in elective and appointive offices, stressing that “Gender equality must be built step by step, through laws, policies, and everyday practices that dismantle discrimination and create equal opportunities for women and men. Only then can we truly say that our democracy is inclusive and representative.”

In addition, he said, governments should combat disinformation and protect information integrity through inclusive, multi-stakeholder approaches that empower citizens to identify and resist falsehoods without stifling legitimate speech; and protect civic space by ensuring that civil society organizations and citizens can freely associate, assemble, criticize governments and government officials, and participate in democratic governance without fear of reprisals.

Mr. Gbadamosi urged ordinary citizens, civil society organizations, the media, and the international community to remain vigilant in defending Nigeria’s democratic institutions and practices, emphasizing that democracy must be nurtured daily through collective action and respect for fundamental rights.

It is shocking and deeply disturbing that veteran singer, Ms. Uche Ibeto, popularly known as the Jigida Queen has been thrown out of her Surulere home of over 50 years in what bears every mark of a fraudulent property scam.

To think that Cecil Ezem Osakwe, a notorious property developer already standing trial in Abuja for multiple land-grabbing offenses and illegal evictions, has now carried his operations to Lagos is alarming. Even worse, reports allege that Victor Giwa, a lawyer already linked to similar scams, appeared on both sides of the Surulere case representing both claimant and defendant. This pattern is not new.

In Abuja, their history is well documented. In a case before the High Court in Kuje, Giwa filed a suit on behalf of Cecil Osakwe and at the same time fielded Baba Sarki, a former lawyer who once worked in Giwa’s Law Firm as the defendant. This fraudulent tactic was intended to secure a judgment in Osakwe’s favour. Thankfully, the court saw through the deception and dismissed the case.

But the scam continues. After Kuje, Osakwe and Giwa attempted similar schemes in Kwali Area Council, and now, having failed repeatedly in Abuja, they have turned to Lagos. The modus operandi is the same: create sham defendants, rely on falsified documents, obtain compromised judgments, and then use the police to enforce violent evictions against lawful occupants.

In Ms. Ibeto’s case, properties worth over ₦500 million belonging to her and her tenants were sealed, stolen, or destroyed. Thugs now occupy the premises while illegal demolition and construction is ongoing. This is not just a civil dispute, it is organized property fraud.

We call on:

• The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Body of Benchers to investigate and sanction Victor Giwa and Cecil Osakwe who are both lawyers, and set a strong example that the legal profession will not be used as a tool for land scams.

• The AIG Zone 2 Police Command to investigate, arrest, and charge both Cecil Osakwe and Victor Giwa for this fraud.

• The Lagos State Judiciary to probe the judgment that led to this unlawful eviction and ensure that justice is restored to Ms. Ibeto.

Lagos cannot become a safe haven for notorious property developers. The case of Ms. Uche Ibeto is not isolated but part of a consistent pattern across Abuja and now Lagos. Justice demands that the alledged fraud be exposed, the perpetrators punished, and the dignity of victims like Ms. Ibeto restored.

Suleiman Salisu
Human Rights Activist, Abuja

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has sought the partnership of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on engagement opportunities for some ex-agitators and beneficiaries of the programme.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NCC in Abuja, Dr Aminu Maida, on Thursday, the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, said that the commission’s support would bolster the PAP’s post-training empowerment scheme.

Otuaro said there are ex-agitators and beneficiaries of the programme with the requisite qualifications and skills that the commission can employ and enable them to contribute to national growth and development.

According to him, there are many of them who had successfully completed their formal educational and vocational trainings in relevant fields as part of the PAP’s effort at human capacity development.

He described them as potential human resources that can be harnessed for the socio-economic advancement of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

The PAP helmsman said, “We are on a mission to seek support and collaboration with government agencies like the NCC to see how some of them can be engaged so that they can contribute their quota to national development.

“The whole scope of the programme centres on national and human security where the beneficiaries are trained in formal education and vocational skills, including information technology. Many persons have been trained in various professional fields.

“So far, we have over 18000 persons that have been trained. These are potential human resources that should be harnessed for national development. By the design of the programme, we have the post-training, employment and empowerment component.

“So we have an army of human resources that will contribute to national growth when engaged. We also have persons with doctors of philosophy (PhDs) that can be easily engaged, and that is the essence of the human capacity development that we carry out.”

In his remarks, the NCC boss expressed the commission’s commitment to providing support and equal opportunities to people without bias, stressing that there should also be evidence of value from interventions.

Maida said the commission was poised to carry out its mandate as a regulatory agency while ensuring access to digital connectivity by all citizens.

He, however, called for infrastructure security against vandalism to protect digital assets and sustain digital connectivity across the country.