Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has rejected reports that ₦1 billion was allocated in the 2026 budget for the purchase of musical instruments for churches in his Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State.
Kalu, through his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, explained on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, that the figure reported publicly did not reflect the actual provision or its intended purpose.
According to the statement, the allocation is ₦780 million after Value Added Tax and other tax deductions.
Kalu said the money was earmarked for a youth re-orientation and social support programme to be implemented evangelistically through faith-based organisations across the constituency.
He said the provision would support the purchase of evangelical instruments and public address systems for campaigns against narcotics, sexual offences and violent crimes, while promoting discipline, peace, values and character development among young people.
“The funds are intended to support the purchase of evangelical instruments and public address systems to promote campaigns against vices like the spread of narcotics, sexual offences, violent crimes while instilling discipline, values, peace, and character development among young people in the communities,” the statement said.
Kalu explained that Bende has 13 federal political and electoral wards and more than 200 churches. He said the first phase of the intervention would target 130 churches, averaging about 10 churches per ward, with each church expected to receive approximately ₦5 million to ₦6 million.
The Deputy Speaker said the initiative was designed to enable churches to expand existing youth engagement programmes focused on character reform and deliver more impactful community outreach.
He argued that nation-building should not be limited to physical infrastructure, stressing that investment in the character and value system of citizens was equally important.
“This intervention is not about instruments alone. It is about leveraging trusted community value-sustaining structures to reorient our youths, promote unity, and sustain moral instruction across the constituency,” Kalu said.
He noted that the 2026 budget containing the provision had not yet been implemented, adding that the selected churches would be notified after the procurement process was completed.
Kalu further disclosed that his office had identified a technical error in the description of the procurement and had begun the process of correcting it through the Budget Office and the House Committee on Appropriations before implementation.
The Deputy Speaker urged the media and members of the public to disregard what he described as sensational reports and support initiatives aimed at developing both infrastructure and character in the country.
