Kalu Defends N780 Million Church Equipment Allocation

The Deputy Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has clarified that his office allocated N780 million, not N1 billion, for the procurement of musical instruments and public address systems for churches in Bende Constituency, Abia State.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Kalu’s Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, dismissed reports claiming that the deputy speaker earmarked N1 billion for churches, describing them as a misrepresentation of the purpose and scope of the budget provision.

He explained that the allocation forms part of a youth reorientation and social intervention programme to be implemented through faith-based organisations across the constituency.

“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,” the statement read.

Nwabughiogu noted that Bende Constituency comprises 13 electoral wards and more than 200 churches, adding that the first phase of the programme would benefit 130 churches.

“Bende has 13 federal political/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 N5m to N6m per church,” he said.

According to the statement, the initiative is intended to strengthen churches’ youth-focused programmes by providing resources that will support community outreach and character development.

Kalu said the programme reflects the need to complement physical infrastructure projects with investments in moral and social development.

“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 said.

The deputy speaker also stated that implementation of the 2026 budget has not yet begun, adding that beneficiary churches would be notified after the procurement process is completed.

He urged the media and the public to disregard what he described as sensational reports and support initiatives aimed at promoting both infrastructural development and positive values in society.