In the spirit of nurturing young minds and empowering the next generation, itel Nigeria, in partnership with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), hosted a memorable Children’s Day celebration themed “Bold Dreams, Bright Futures.” The event, which held on May 27th at the NTA grounds on Tejuosho Avenue, Yaba, Lagos, was part of itel’s Love Always On corporate social responsibility initiative – reaffirming the brand’s commitment

The day was filled with excitement, fun, and most importantly, impact, as over 51 schools across Lagos were beneficiaries of educational and creative items valued at over ₦4 million. Donations included library bookshelves, school bags, lunch packs, stationery boxes, coloring books, reading materials and colored pencils — all aimed at equipping children with the tools they need to dream boldly and achieve brighter futures.

In a significant gesture of empowerment, itel Energy also donated solar power equipment worth over ₦2 million to the winner of the day’sSpelling Bee Competition. The solar system will be installed at the pupil’s parent’s home, enhancing their access to clean and sustainable energy.

Speaking on the gesture, Olaotan Fawehinmi, Public Relations Manager at itel Energy, stated:

“At itel Energy, our mission is to light up communities and ensure everyone – regardless of where they live – has access to the power they need to live better. This donation is more than electricity; it’s an opportunity. By bringing light into this child’s family’s home, we’re supporting education, security, and a more dignified lifestyle for all who live there”

Also speaking at the event, Terngu Simeon Shagba, Public Relations Supervisor at itel Mobile Nigeria, shared the brand’s motivation behind the initiative:

“At itel, we believe that every child deserves a chance to dream and to thrive. Our ‘Love Always On’ CSR initiative is not just about gifts – it’s about creating opportunities and nurturing potential. By supporting education and sustainable living, we are helping build a generation that will shape a brighter future for Nigeria.”

The event wasn’t just about donations. A line-up of entertaining and educational activities kept the children engaged, including dancing competitions, a colorful March Past parade, a Miss Children’s Day Pageant, musical performances, quiz sessions, puzzles, painting activities, and more – all with exciting prizes to reward participation and excellence.

Dolapo Samuel Olorun-nimbe, ATL Marketing Manager at itel Mobile Nigeria, emphasized the importance of celebrating children holistically:

“Children’s Day is an opportunity to inspire, educate, and uplift. We wanted to create a platform where children could not only receive support but also express themselves, compete, and have fun. This is part of itel’s ongoing mission to stand with families and communities at every step of their journey.”

With smiling faces, laughter in the air, and dreams ignited, the 2025 edition of itel’s Children’s Day CSR initiativesuccessfully combined education, entertainment, and empowerment – staying true to the brand’s promise that all and sundry should Enjoy Better Life.

*Allege abuse of office, misuse of public funds for children’s education abroad

A group of lawyers and civil society organisations (CSOs) protested in Abuja today, demanding the immediate resignation of Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The group known as Concerned Lawyers and Civil Society in Defence of Public Trust alleged that Ahmed had abused his office by using public funds to educate his children in expensive schools abroad, including European University in Montreux, Switzerland, Aiglon College Boarding School in Switzerland, Institut Le Rosey in Rolle, Switzerland, and La Garenne International School in the Swiss Alps.

The protesters, who gathered at the NMDPRA headquarters, claimed that Ahmed’s actions were a clear case of corruption and abuse of power. They alleged that the funds used to pay for the children’s education were diverted from public coffers and that Ahmed’s actions were a betrayal of the public trust.

According to Barr. Martins Adaji, Faisal Ahmed, Farouk’s son, was sponsored with public funds to study at European University in Montreux, Switzerland, and later secured a lucrative position in sales at Oando, a company with ties to the oil and gas sector.

Another son, Farouk Ahmed Farouk (Jr.), it claimed, was sent to Aiglon College Boarding School in Switzerland, where the annual tuition and board fees are estimated to be over N300 million.

The protesters demanded Ahmed’s immediate resignation, a full-scale investigation into the NMDPRA’s financial records, and the recovery of any public funds used to educate his children.

They also called for Ahmed’s prosecution under the Public Procurement Act and the Code of Conduct Bureau guidelines.

The protesters further demanded that any recovered funds be channelled to rehabilitate schools in Nigeria’s most disadvantaged oil-producing communities.

They warned that if their demands are ignored, they will return stronger, louder, and more resolute, occupying every relevant space to demand justice and accountability.

“This protest is about justice. It is about drawing the line in the sand and saying, ‘NO MORE!,” Adaji said. “NO MORE abuse of public trust.

“NO MORE luxury for the few while the many wallow in deprivation. NO MORE wasting of public funds while Nigerian university students are stuck at home due to strikes, poor infrastructure, and lack of funding.

“To the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we ask you: will you watch this continue under your administration? Or will you act, and show that your government is serious about transparency and equity?

“Today’s protest is not the end. If these demands are ignored, we will return stronger, louder, and more resolute. Nigerian youths, mothers, and civil society will occupy every relevant space to say: enough is enough.

“We are done clapping for thieves. We are done bowing to men who see Nigeria as their inheritance. Let it be known: Engr. Farouk Ahmed must step down NOW. Not tomorrow. Not next week.

“Not after consultations. He must resign TODAY. He must return every kobo spent on his children’s foreign education. And he must face the full weight of the law. That is the only way the Nigerian people will believe that justice still lives in this land.”

Facts have emerged about how the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Engineer Farouk Ahmed squandered public funds procuring foreign education for his children in elite international schools that are among the world’s most expensive.

Engineer Ahmed is embroiled in controversy over the mismanagement of funds and embezzlement, which some civil society groups said has primed him plotting to escape the United Arab Emirates.

Reliable sources named the children, Faisal Ahmed, Farhana Farouk, Ashraf Ahmed and Farouk Ahmed Farouk, are all schooling abroad, a luxury that is not available to children in the host communities of the industry that Ahmed oversees.

This allowed Ahmed to confer undue advantage on his children, whom he also lined up for juicy employment in choice organizations. Faisal Ahmed, now based in Nigeria and working in sales at Oando, graduated from the elite European University in Montreux, Switzerland.

A source disclosed that the European University is “highly competitive with an annual acceptance rate of less than five percent of those who applied, which leaves one wondering what evil deals Ahmed struck with the West to fix his ward there.”

In keeping with his high appetite for Swiss institutions for his children, Ahmed used public funds to see Farouk Ahmed Farouk (Jr.) through Aiglon College Boarding School in Switzerland, a school reputed “to be one of the most successful international boarding schools in the world for 12 to 18-years-olds”. Farouk’s tuition would have cost not less than N300 million annually for the duration of his stay there.

Not to be outdone, Ashraf Ahmed, had his stint at the Institut Le Rosey, described as “a prestigious Swiss boarding school known for its international community, rigorous academics, and emphasis on holistic development.” Located in Rolle, Switzerland, Le Rosey also has a winter campus in Gstaad. Buoyed by diverted public funds, Ashraf has an MBA in view at Harvard at some point this year.

The source said the Institut Le Rosey “is known for its high annual fees. The cost can be up to N230 million equivalent annually for tuition, room, and board, with Engineer Ahmed likely paying more for other services.”

Farhana lives a royal life, attending La Garenne International School, which describes itself as “nestled in the Swiss Alps, offering exceptional education and boarding for students aged 4 to 18.” Farhana’s attendance at La Garenne was further gilded by taking courses at one of the campuses of NIIT Pune, India.