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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

Kalu: Why N1bn Was Put in 2026 Budget to Procure Musical Instruments for Churches

From ThisDay · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu clarified that N780 million, not N1 billion, is allocated for a Youth Re-orientation and Social Support Programme in his constituency.
  • The funds, intended for over 200 churches in Bende, Abia State, will support youth engagement and character reform through faith-based organizations.
  • Kalu explained the program aims to equip churches to combat vices like drug abuse and violent crime while instilling discipline and positive values among young people.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ben Kalu, has clarified media reports suggesting that N1 billion was inserted into the 2026 budget solely for procuring musical instruments for churches in his Bende federal constituency. Kalu stated that the actual allocated sum, after tax deductions, is N780 million.

The attention of the Office of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives and member representing Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has been drawn to media reports suggesting that N1 billion was inserted in the 2026 budget solely for the procurement of musical instruments for churches in Bende.

— Office of the Deputy SpeakerAddressing media reports about the budget allocation.

He explained that this provision is part of a Youth Re-orientation and Social Support Programme delivered through an evangelistic approach via faith-based organizations in Bende, Abia State. The constituency, which has 13 federal wards and over 200 churches, will see the first phase of this support targeting 130 churches, averaging about 10 per ward. Each church is expected to receive approximately 5 to 6 million Naira.

We wish to clarify that this is a misrepresentation of the intent and scope of the provision. The proposed allocation is actually N780 million after VAT and other tax deductions.

— Hon. Ben KaluClarifying the exact amount and purpose of the budget allocation.

Kalu emphasized that this initiative is not entirely new, noting that faith-based organizations in other regions invest in youth development. However, he observed that this strategy has not gained significant traction in the South East region. The intervention is designed to empower churches to expand existing youth engagement platforms focused on character reform and to conduct more impactful community outreaches.

It is earmarked as a Youth Re-orientation and Social Support Programme delivered with evangelistic approach through faith-based organizations in Bende federal constituency of Abia State. Bende has 13 federal political/electoral wards and over 200 churches.

— Hon. Ben KaluExplaining the nature and scope of the program.

The funds are intended to support the purchase of evangelical instruments and public address systems. These tools will be used to promote campaigns against societal ills such as narcotics, sexual offenses, and violent crimes. Kalu added that the program aims to instill discipline, positive values, peace, and character development among the youth in the communities.

The first phase of this support targets 130 of these churches averaging about 10 churches per ward, which amounts to approximately 5 to 6 million Naira per church.

— Hon. Ben KaluDetailing the distribution plan for the funds.
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Originally published by ThisDay. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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