Bende N1bn musical instruments: 130 churches to receive N6m each - Kalu breaks silence
The office said the N780 million allocation will fund youth re-orientation and social support through faith-based groups, with 130 churches set to receive N5 million to N6 million each.
- On Wednesday, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu's office clarified that the ₦1 billion budget allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Bill for Bende Federal Constituency is for a "Youth Re-orientation and Social Support Programme" rather than solely for purchasing musical instruments.
- Recent media reports suggested funds were earmarked exclusively for musical equipment, with some constituents questioning potential misappropriation; Kalu's office described these reports as a misrepresentation of the provision's intent and scope.
- Targeting 130 churches in Bende, the actual allocation is ₦780 million after deductions, with each church expecting support worth approximately ₦5 million to ₦6 million for community outreach and social vice campaigns.
- Acknowledging a "technical error" in the budget document, the office initiated a corrigendum for the Budget Office and Appropriations Committee to correct before implementation. The 2026 budget remains unfunded as government currently operates under 2024 and 2025 budgets.
- Supporting the government's non-kinetic approach to promoting peace and unity, Kalu argues nation-building requires investing in value reorientation through trusted community structures like faith-based organizations in the South-East region.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Kalu denies N1bn Church instrument allocation
…Says Budget Targets Youth Reorientation in Bende By Gift Chapi Odekina, Abuja The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has denied reports that N1 billion was allocated in the proposed 2026 budget for the purchase of musical instruments for churches in Bende Federal Constituency, describing the claim […] The post Kalu denies N1bn Church instrument allocation appeared first on Vanguard News.
Deputy Speaker clarifies ₦1 billion vote for Bende church instruments
The deputy speaker says the ₦1 billion provision for churches in the Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State is intended to support youth engagement, character development, community outreach, and campaigns against social vices, rather than solely the procurement of musical instruments.
Bende N1bn musical instruments: 130 churches to receive N6m each - Kalu breaks silence
Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has dismissed reports claiming that N1 billion was inserted into the 2026 budget solely for the procurement of musical instruments for churches in Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State. In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the office described the reports as a misrepresentation of the purpose of the budgetary provision…
Outrage as Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu Defends N1 Billion Church Line Item in 2026 Budget Amid Severe Local Deficits in Abia State
ABUJA / UMUAHIA — The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, is under intense public backlash following revelations that he inserted an N800 million-to-N1 billion allocation into the federal budget intended for churches across his Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State. The controversy comes at a critical time when the National […] The post Outrage as Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu Defends N1 Billion Church Line Item…
Reps allocate N780m for evangelical instruments in Abia constituency
Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, says his office allocated N780 million in the 2026 budget for the procurement of musical instruments for churches in Bende federal constituency of Abia state. In a statement on Wednesday by Levinus Nwabughiogu, his chief press secretary, Kalu said reports of a N1 billion allocation were untrue and misrepresented the intent and scope of the provision. He said the fund was earmarke…
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