The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has clarified that the ₦1 billion vote in the 2026 Appropriation Bill for church musical instruments in his constituency—Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State—is intended for a broader youth engagement initiative, not solely for instrument procurement.
The clarification follows recent media reports suggesting the funds were earmarked exclusively for musical equipment, with some constituents alleging they did not receive the items and questioning the potential misappropriation of public funds.
In a statement issued Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Mr Kalu described these reports as a misrepresentation of the provision’s intent and scope.
Re-orientation programme
According to the statement, the actual allocation—after Value-Added Tax and other deductions—is ₦780 million. It is designated as a “Youth Re-orientation and Social Support Programme” to be delivered by faith-based organisations through an evangelistic approach.
