…Says It’s For Youth Reorientation
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has said that the N1 billion inserted into the 2026 budget for Churches in his constituency, was meant for youth reorientation and not solely for the purchase of musical instruments.
The funds were budgeted for Churches in the Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, which Kalu represents in the House of Representatives.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu described the reports as a misrepresentation of the purpose and scope of the budget provision.
According to him, the allocation, which stands at N780 million after Value Added Tax (VAT) and other statutory deductions, is intended for “a Youth Re-orientation and Social Support Programme” to be delivered through faith-based organisations across the constituency.
He explained that Bende Federal Constituency comprises 13 electoral wards and over 200 churches, adding that the first phase of the intervention would target about 130 churches, representing roughly 10 churches per ward.
“The proposed allocation is actually N780 million after VAT and other tax deductions. It is earmarked as a Youth Re-orientation and Social Support Programmes delivered evangelistically through faith-based organizations in Bende federal constituency of Abia State,” he said.
He added that the intervention would translate to an average support package of between N5 million and N6 million per church to strengthen youth engagement initiatives and community outreach programmes.
“It is designed to equip churches to expand existing youth engagement platforms focused on character reform, and to deliver more impactful community outreaches,” he stated.
Kalu said the funds would support the acquisition of evangelical instruments and public address systems to facilitate campaigns against drug abuse, sexual offences, violent crimes and other social vices 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,” he claimed.
The Deputy Speaker further argued that the nation-building extends beyond physical infrastructure and must also include investments in value reorientation and character development.
“Nation-building must go beyond roads and physical infrastructure. Government must also invest in building the character and value system of the people who use the infrastructure using various value delivery platforms.
Government is also employing non-kinetic approaches to promote peace, unity and progress of Nigeria,” he said.
Kalu further stressed that faith-based organisations, like traditional institutions, play a critical role in promoting moral values and social cohesion, making them suitable partners for youth-focused interventions.
According to him, similar faith-based youth development models have been adopted in other parts of the country, although they have not gained widespread acceptance in the South-East.
The Deputy Speaker also clarified that the 2026 budget has not yet been implemented, funded or subjected to procurement processes.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the 2026 budget where this is domiciled is yet to be implemented. The selected churches will receive notification once the procurement processes have been concluded,” he said.
The lawmaker added that a technical error had been identified in the procurement description and that a corrigendum had already been initiated for correction through the Budget Office and the National Assembly’s appropriation process before implementation.
“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,” he added.
Kalu urged the media and the public to disregard what he described as sensational reports and support initiatives aimed at promoting both infrastructural and moral development in society.
(The Whistler)