Benjamin Kalu's office says the budget is for a faith-based youth development programme—not just church musical instruments—aimed at tackling drug abuse, crime, and other social vices through community engagement.
The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has denied reports claiming that ₦1 billion was earmarked solely for the purchase of musical instruments for churches in Bende Federal Constituency.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Speaker's Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the office explained that the actual allocation is ₦780 million after VAT and other tax deductions. According to the statement, the fund is intended for a Youth Re-orientation and Social Support Programme to be implemented through faith-based organizations.
The office said the programme will initially cover 130 churches across Bende's 13 electoral wards, with each church expected to receive support worth approximately ₦5–₦6 million. The funds are meant to provide evangelical instruments, public address systems, and other resources to help churches engage youths and campaign against drug abuse, sexual offences, violent crime, and other social vices.
The statement stressed that the initiative is aimed at promoting moral values, discipline, peace, and character development, arguing that nation-building requires investment in both physical infrastructure and the values of citizens.
It also clarified that the 2026 budget has not yet been implemented or funded, and no procurement has begun. The office further disclosed that it has identified a technical error in the procurement description and has initiated a corrigendum through the Budget Office and the Appropriation Committee.
The Deputy Speaker's office urged the public to disregard what it described as sensational reports, maintaining that the intervention is designed to strengthen youth development through trusted community institutions rather than simply purchase musical instruments.
