The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has dismissed reports alleging that N1 billion was allocated in the proposed 2026 federal budget for the purchase of musical instruments for churches in Bende Federal Constituency.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Deputy Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the office described the reports as misleading, insisting that the budget provision forms part of a broader Youth Re-orientation and Social Support Programme to be implemented through faith-based organisations.
According to the statement, the actual allocation for the programme is N780 million after Value Added Tax (VAT) and other statutory deductions, and not N1 billion as widely reported.
The office explained that the programme is intended to support youth engagement and community outreach in churches by providing equipment such as musical instruments and public address systems to aid campaigns against drug abuse, sexual offences, violent crime and other social vices.
It added that Bende Federal Constituency has 13 electoral wards and more than 200 churches, with the first phase of the programme expected to benefit about 130 churches—roughly 10 churches in each ward.
Under the proposal, each participating church would receive between N5 million and N6 million to implement youth-focused programmes aimed at promoting positive values and discouraging social vices.
The Deputy Speaker’s office argued that government interventions should not be limited to physical infrastructure but should also support initiatives that encourage moral values, discipline and responsible citizenship through community institutions.
It further noted that faith-based organisations, like traditional institutions, play a vital role in promoting peace, unity and character development, adding that similar community-based youth programmes have been implemented in other parts of the country.
Responding to concerns over the budget item, the office clarified that the 2026 Appropriation Bill has not yet been implemented and that no funds have been released for the programme. It said beneficiary churches would only be identified after the budget is approved, funds are released and procurement processes are completed.
The statement also disclosed that a technical error was identified in the budget description and that steps had been taken through the Budget Office and the National Assembly’s appropriation process to correct the wording.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, the Deputy Speaker’s office urged the public to disregard what it described as inaccurate and sensational reports, maintaining that the proposed allocation is intended to support youth reorientation and community development rather than the purchase of musical instruments alone.
