Deputy Speaker’s Office Clarifies N1bn Budget Report, Says Programme Targets Youth Reorientation Through Churches in Bende

The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has dismissed reports claiming that N1 billion was allocated in the 2026 federal budget solely for the purchase of musical instruments for churches in Bende Federal Constituency, describing the reports as a misrepresentation of the budget provision.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Deputy Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the office explained that the intervention is a Youth Re-orientation and Social Support Programme to be delivered through faith-based organisations across Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State.

According to the statement, the actual allocation for the programme stands at N780 million after VAT and other statutory tax deductions, contrary to reports suggesting a N1 billion provision for musical instruments.

The office said the first phase of the initiative will cover 130 churches across the constituency’s 13 federal electoral wards, with each church expected to receive support valued at approximately N5 million to N6 million.

It explained that the programme is intended to strengthen existing church-based youth engagement platforms by providing evangelical instruments and public address systems to enhance campaigns against social vices, including drug abuse, sexual offences and violent crimes, while promoting discipline, peace, moral values and character development among young people.

The statement stressed that nation-building extends beyond physical infrastructure, arguing that government must also invest in the moral and value systems of citizens through trusted community institutions.

It noted that traditional institutions have long received government support through the provision of town halls and community centres to preserve cultural values, adding that faith-based organisations should equally be empowered to contribute to value formation and youth development.

The Deputy Speaker’s office further stated that similar faith-based youth development initiatives exist in other parts of the country, although such an approach has not been widely adopted in the South-East.

It also clarified that the 2026 budget has not yet been implemented, noting that Nigeria is currently operating under the 2024 and 2025 budgets. The office said no funds have been released for the programme and that beneficiary churches would only be notified after due procurement processes are completed.

The statement also disclosed that a technical error was identified in the procurement description contained in the budget and that a letter of corrigendum had already been initiated through the Budget Office and the Appropriation Committee to correct the description before implementation.

The Deputy Speaker’s office maintained that the intervention is not merely about supplying musical instruments but about using established community and faith-based structures to promote youth reorientation, unity and moral instruction across Bende Federal Constituency.

It urged the media and the public to disregard what it described as sensational reports and to support initiatives aimed at building both infrastructure and character in society.