itel, one of Africa’s leading smart technology brands, cemented its place as a powerhouse in mobile innovation with a triple win at the prestigious Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Awards. The annual event, hosted by Nigerian Communications Week, held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Lekki, Lagos, saw itel taking home three top honors for its revolutionary products: the Power 70 smartphone, City 100, and BudsFit 5.

itel Power 70: Most Innovative Smartphone of the Year

Making waves in the mobile industry, the itel Power 70 earned the coveted title of Most Innovative Smartphone of the Year. As Nigeria’s first smartphone boasting a massive 10,000mAh battery capacity — a combination of a 6,000mAh built-in battery and an innovative 4,000mAh charging case — the Power 70 is redefining power efficiency and on-the-go durability. Its IP54-rated water and dust resistance and reverse charging functionality make it a reliable companion for users who demand long-lasting performance without compromise.

itel City 100: Customer Choice Mobile Phone of the Year

Similarly, itel’s customer-centric approach was validated as the City 100 clinched the Customer Choice Mobile Phone of the Year award. Designed with Gen Z city dwellers in mind, the City 100 is as stylish as it is functional. Standout features like a first-of-its-kind magnetic speaker, DeepSeek AI integration, and a built-in infrared remote control cater to the dynamic, connected lifestyle of modern urban users – all at an affordable price point.

itel BudsFit 5: Most Attractive Mobile Accessory of the Year

For rich sound lovers, fashion-forward users and enthusiasts alike, the itel BudsFit 5 was honored as the Most Attractive Mobile Accessory of the Year. These sleek wireless earbuds combine style with performance, boasting AI-powered noise cancellation, IP54 water resistance, and an impressive 32-hour total playtime – making them the perfect accessory for music lovers on the move.

A Landmark Moment for itel

Speaking at the event, itel’s representatives expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to democratizing technology through innovation, affordability, and style.

“We designed these products with real people and real lifestyles in mind,” said Dolapo Olorun-Nimbe, ATL Marketing Manager, itel Mobile Nigeria. “Whether it’s the long-lasting battery of the Power 70, the trend-driven appeal of BudsFit 5, or the Gen Z-centric City 100, itel continues to put innovation within reach of every Nigerian.”

Echoing the sentiment, Terngu Simeon Shagba, Public Relations Supervisor, itel Mobile Nigeria, added: “This triple recognition is not just a win for our brand, but a win for every user who believes in the power of affordable technology. We’re incredibly grateful to our customers and the ICT community for trusting our vision. This triple win reaffirms our mission to create smart, stylish, and power-efficient devices that meet the evolving needs of our users”

Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Awards is one of the most respected platforms celebrating contributions to the development of information and communication technology (ICT) in Nigeria. itel’s success at this year’s edition underscores its growing impact in shaping the future of digital life across Nigeria and the African continent.

For more information about itel products and upcoming innovations, visit https://www.itel-life.com/ng/itel-home/itel-home-products

About itel

Established over 15 years, itel is a reliable smart life brand for everyone. Adopting “Enjoy better life” as its brand philosophy, itel’s mission is to provide budget-friendly consumer electronic products and lifestyle products to everyone. It democratizes technology by giving entry to technology and connections to consumers without prior access to it. After more than 15 years’ development, itel has expanded its presence in more than 80 emerging markets globally. itel has a product portfolio of smartphones, accessories, electrics, home appliances, and lifestyle products and in 2024 it ranked No.1 Global Smartphone brand under $75 and No.1 feature phone brand. https://itel.com.ng/

The Energy Justice Forum (EJF), a coalition of energy rights activists, has commended President Bola Tinubu for restoring the naira-for-crude policy, asserting that the move benefit local refineries and the broader Nigerian populace.

In a statement on Friday, the group said the policy shift is not just in the interest of Dangote Refinery, but a long-overdue redirection for local refining capacity and everyday Nigerians who have long borne the burden of an import-dependent energy system.

Dr Godknows Manager, national president of EJF, described the decision as “the most patriotic intervention in Nigeria’s petroleum sector in recent history,” while urging the newly appointed leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to align with the president’s reformist path.

“We must be clear — this policy is not about Dangote alone. It is about returning value to Nigerians, enabling refineries in Warri, Port Harcourt, and Kaduna to thrive, and ensuring that Nigerians are not perpetually held hostage to dollar-denominated fuel pricing,” Manager said.

“President Tinubu has restored dignity to our economic sovereignty. For the first time in a long time, the average Nigerian sees a glimpse of hope that our natural resources may finally work in our favour.”

The group also issued a stern warning to the new NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, and board chairman, Pius Akinyelure, urging them not to inherit what it called “the dubious, dollar-chasing reforms” of the former GCEO, Mele Kyari.

“It would be a fatal mistake for the new leadership at NNPCL to continue on the path of ruin orchestrated by Kyari — a path that nearly collapsed our economy, undermined local refining, and exposed the country to foreign exchange shocks,” Manager declared.

“We are watching closely. Nigerians are watching. And we will not hesitate to mobilise civil society resistance if old habits creep back in through the back door.”

He said Nigerians “deserve transparency, not tokenism; energy justice, not backdoor deals”.

“There must be a clear audit of Kyari’s tenure — all contracts, all swaps, and all the shady transactions disguised as ’liberalisation’. We are demanding full disclosure and accountability.”

Manager further encouraged the new board to strengthen collaborations with indigenous investors and local engineers to ensure that Nigeria’s refining ambitions are realised.

“We cannot build a sustainable energy future on the back of secrecy and elitist policies. This is a new dawn. The new NNPCL must walk in light, not shadows,” he added.

A group, the Concerned Nigerians, has raised concerns about an alleged plot to stop the supply of crude oil to domestic refineries, including the Dangote Refinery in Nigeria.

According to the group, a cabal within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is working with importers of fake petrol to deny local refineries of crude oil supply.

In a statement signed by its national coordinator, Obinna Francis, this plot, if successful, would have far-reaching consequences, including creating a shortage of refined products, which would force the country to import fuel.

The Concerned Nigerians believes that this plot is driven by a desire to return Nigeria to the era of petrol importation and the reintroduction of subsidies.

“We are shocked that the cabal in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is working with importers of fake petrol to deny local refineries of crude oil supply,” Francis said. 

“Such a sinister plot can only be driven by a desire for Nigeria to return to the era of petrol importation and even the reintroduction of subsidy. This is because cutting off crude oil supply to domestic refineries is a recipe for creating a shortage of refined products, which the country would be forced to import.

“We understand that members of this cabal are upset that they could no longer afford the life they were addicted to as their illicit businesses have been cut off by Mr President’s successful reforms and positive development in the sector. However, they cannot continue to undermine our collective wellbeing for their own decadent choices.

“The members of the cabal, working through certain officials of NNPCL, have been manipulating their colleagues in the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), which has responsibility for overseeing the supply of crude oil to refineries in Nigeria.

“Their plot includes sabotaging exploration and distribution infrastructure to justify the planned refusal to cut off crude supplies. This unholy alliance has the support of individuals who have been angling for a regime change.

“Our suspicion is that while the NNPCL/NUPRC cabal pursue the monetary gains of truncating the steady supply of refined products, their political wing anticipates that a disruption in refining capacity would lead to petrol scarcity, drive fuel prices up and hike food prices with the attendant anger against the government of the day. Their desire is to weaponize such public anger into anti-government protests that would bring the administration down.”

The group is calling on the President and the Department of State Services (DSS) to ensure that no one in NNPCL, NUPRC, or any other connected agency undermines the achievements recorded in the sector.

They also expressed concern that if this plot is not stopped, it would undo all the gains made in the implementation of economic reforms and plunge the country into an economic crisis.