Reps allocate N780m for evangelical instruments in Abia constituency, says Kalu

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, says N780 million was allocated in the 2026 budget for the procurement of musical instruments for churches in Bende federal constituency of Abia State.

Kalu, in a statement issued on Wednesday by Levinus Nwabughiogu, his chief press secretary, dismissed reports that N1 billion was allocated for the project, describing the figure as inaccurate and a misrepresentation of the purpose of the provision.

According to him, the allocation was part of a youth reorientation and social support programme to be implemented through faith-based organisations in the constituency.

He said the funds would be used to procure evangelical instruments and public address systems to support campaigns against drug abuse, sexual offences and violent crimes, while promoting discipline, peace, good values and character development among young people.

“Bende has 13 federal political and electoral wards and over 200 churches. The first phase of this support targets 130 of these churches, averaging about 10 churches per ward, which amounts to approximately N5 million to N6 million per church,” the statement quoted Kalu as saying.

The deputy speaker said the intervention was intended to strengthen existing youth engagement initiatives by churches and enable them to carry out more impactful community outreach programmes focused on character development.

Kalu said nation-building should not be limited to physical infrastructure, stressing the need for government to invest in the moral values and character of citizens.

He said the initiative was aimed at using trusted community institutions to reorient young people, promote unity and sustain moral instruction across the constituency.

Kalu noted that the 2026 budget containing the allocation had not yet been implemented, adding that beneficiary churches would be informed after the procurement process was completed.

He also disclosed that his office had discovered a technical error in the procurement description and had commenced the process of correcting it through the Budget Office and the House Committee on Appropriations.

The deputy speaker urged the media and the public to disregard what he described as sensational reports and support initiatives aimed at promoting both infrastructure development and character building in the country.