Deputy Speaker Defends ₦780m Budget for Bende Churches, Says Programme Targets Youth Reorientation, Not Musical Instruments

The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has dismissed reports claiming that ₦1 billion was allocated in the 2026 budget solely for the procurement of musical instruments for churches in Bende Federal Constituency, describing the reports as misleading.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Deputy Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the office clarified that the proposed allocation is ₦780 million, after Value Added Tax (VAT) and other statutory deductions, and is intended to fund a broader youth reorientation and social support programme to be implemented through faith-based organisations.

According to the statement, the intervention is designed to strengthen youth engagement platforms in churches by supporting campaigns against drug abuse, sexual offences, violent crimes and other social vices while promoting discipline, peace and moral values.

The office explained that Bende Federal Constituency comprises 13 electoral wards and over 200 churches, with the first phase of the programme targeting about 130 churches—roughly 10 churches in each ward.

Each participating church is expected to receive between ₦5 million and ₦6 million to procure evangelical equipment, including public address systems and other items required for community outreach programmes.

The Deputy Speaker’s office said the initiative was part of a non-kinetic strategy to promote peace, unity and character development, arguing that nation-building extends beyond physical infrastructure.

“Government must also invest in building the character and value system of the people who use the infrastructure,” the statement said, adding that faith-based organisations play a vital role in value formation and youth development.

It noted that traditional institutions had similarly benefited from government support through the provision of town halls and community engagement centres to preserve cultural values.

The statement further clarified that the 2026 budget has not yet been implemented, as the Federal Government is still operating under the 2024 and 2025 budgets.

It added that no funds had been released for the programme and that beneficiary churches would only be notified after due procurement processes are completed.

The Deputy Speaker’s office also disclosed that a technical error had been identified in the procurement description and that a corrigendum had already been initiated through the Budget Office and the National Assembly’s Appropriations Committee.

It urged the public to disregard what it described as sensational reports, insisting that the intervention is aimed at supporting community-based youth development and moral reorientation rather than merely purchasing musical instruments for churches.