Kalu denies ₦1bn church budget claim, says actual allocation is ₦780m

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has dismissed reports that his office allocated N1 billion in the 2026 budget for the procurement of musical instruments for churches in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu stated that the actual allocation is N780 million.

According to the deputy speaker, the reports misrepresented both the amount allocated and the purpose of the intervention.

He said that the budget provision, after Value Added Tax and other statutory deductions, stands at N780 million and is intended to support a youth re-orientation and social support programme to be implemented through faith-based organisations.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has dismissed reports that his office allocated N1 billion in the 2026 budget for the procurement of musical instruments for churches in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu stated that the actual allocation is N780 million.

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According to the deputy speaker, the reports misrepresented both the amount allocated and the purpose of the intervention.

He said that the budget provision, after Value Added Tax and other statutory deductions, stands at N780 million and is intended to support a youth re-orientation and social support programme to be implemented through faith-based organisations.

“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 N5 million to N6 million per church,” he said.

The deputy speaker said the intervention was aimed at strengthening existing youth engagement platforms run by churches to promote moral values and discourage social vices.

“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.

Kalu added that the 2026 budget had not yet been implemented and that beneficiary churches would be notified after the procurement process was completed.

He also disclosed that his office had initiated a corrigendum to correct what it described as a technical error in the procurement description before implementation.

The deputy speaker urged the public and the media to disregard reports suggesting that N1 billion had been allocated solely for musical instruments, saying the intervention was part of a broader effort to promote youth development and community values.

Kalu denies ₦1bn church budget claim, says actual allocation is ₦780m

NACOMYO urges greater Muslim youth participation in politics at Lagos summit

The National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations (NACOMYO), Lagos State Chapter, has called for increased participation of Muslim youths in politics and governance as part of efforts to strengthen inclusive leadership and contribute to the development of Lagos State and Nigeria.

The call was made during the Muslim Youth Political Summit 2026, held on Saturday at the Multipurpose Hall of the Alausa Secretariat Community Central Mosque in Ikeja, Lagos.

The summit, themed “Strategic Partnership for Progress: Muslim Youth and the Lagos Development Agenda,” brought together government officials, Muslim leaders, youth groups and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for expanding the role of Muslim youths in public service and leadership.

Speaking at the event, the State Coordinator of NACOMYO Lagos, Engr. Isiaka Salami, said the summit was organised to foster dialogue, strategic partnerships and collaboration between Muslim youths and government.

He explained that the initiative was aimed at preparing young Muslims for leadership roles while commending the growing inclusion of youths in governance. Salami also appreciated the support of the Muslim Community of Lagos State and offered prayers for the late Alhaji Tijani Gbajabiamila, the Olori Ratibi of Lagos.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Hon. Rasaq Olushola Ajala, the immediate past Chairman of Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr. Akeem Alao urged Muslim youths to actively participate in politics and public service.

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He stressed that competence, integrity and leadership capacity remain essential qualities for young people seeking to contribute meaningfully to governance and national development.

Alao also encouraged eligible youths to take advantage of the ongoing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Permanent Voter Card (PVC) registration exercise ahead of future elections.

Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of the Muslim Community of Lagos State, Alhaji Jubril Folami, commended NACOMYO for its sustained commitment to youth development and advocacy.

He described Muslim youths as agents of positive change and recalled the organisation’s role in defending the interests of Muslims during campaigns against the proposed return of public schools to missionary ownership.

During a panel discussion, the President of the Muslim Community of Lagos State, Alhaji (Barr.) Muhammad Oyinlomo Danmole, called for strategic political participation and stronger engagement between Muslim organisations and government.

He advocated the establishment of leadership training institutions to prepare Muslim youths for future leadership positions and emphasised the importance of grassroots mobilisation in nation-building.

Responding to questions on opportunities for Muslim youths, Alhaji Muritadoh Balogun urged young Muslims to participate actively in politics while drawing inspiration from the exemplary leadership of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

He identified education, knowledge acquisition and community service as key foundations for effective leadership and called for increased Muslim representation in government institutions.

Also speaking during the panel session, Alhaja Dhikrat Matesun-Oshodi said Muslim women were ready to contribute meaningfully to governance.

She encouraged Muslim youths to embrace self-development, transparency, accountability, patience and teamwork, describing good character and empowerment as essential qualities for effective leadership.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Wealth Creation and Employment, Ambassador (Comrade) Tijani Saheed Oluwadare (Seedorf), highlighted the state government’s commitment to youth inclusion, skills development and economic empowerment.

He urged participants to take advantage of government initiatives and become actively involved in politics to strengthen youth participation in policymaking and governance.

The summit attracted a large number of Muslim youths from across Lagos State, including representatives of organisations such as NASFAT, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos, ASGAT, QUAREEB and other youth-focused political groups.

Participants resolved to strengthen collaboration between Muslim organisations and government, agreeing that leadership development, strategic partnerships and active political participation are critical to ensuring that Muslim youths contribute meaningfully to the Lagos Development Agenda and Nigeria’s overall development.

NACOMYO urges greater Muslim youth participation in politics at Lagos summit

Trump praises Tinubu’s anti-terror efforts as Presidency cites security progress

The Presidency has described the recent letter from US President Donald Trump to President Bola Tinubu as fresh evidence that the Tinubu administration is making significant progress in tackling insecurity and strengthening Nigeria’s strategic partnership with the United States.

Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he defended the administration’s security record and hailed the growing cooperation between Abuja and Washington.

Bwala was reacting to a letter dated July 6, 2026, in which Trump praised Tinubu’s leadership and commended his administration’s commitment to combating terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria.

According to Bwala, the letter represents international recognition of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve national security and deepen diplomatic and military collaboration with the United States.

“The facts speak for themselves. The letter is further proof of the progress we are making,” Bwala said.

He stressed that the Tinubu administration’s engagement with the United States was already producing tangible results before the letter became public.

“Does it mean if there was no letter, we would stop? No. Because we are already engaging and communicating with them,” he stated.

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Using a personal analogy to explain the significance of the correspondence, Bwala said receiving encouragement from a trusted partner reinforces an existing commitment rather than creating one.

“If you are in a relationship with a lady, and then because of the relationship, you write a letter encouraging her, or she writes a letter encouraging you, then you feel further strengthened but it does not stop your commitment,” he said.

The presidential aide also dismissed concerns over the timing of the letter’s release, arguing that Nigerians should focus on its message rather than when it was made public.

He maintained that the correspondence demonstrates growing confidence in Nigeria’s security reforms and reflects the strength of diplomatic ties between both countries.

According to Bwala, the enhanced partnership between Nigeria and the United States has led to improved intelligence sharing, military training and coordinated counter-terrorism operations.

He noted that one of the outcomes of the collaboration was the successful neutralisation of a senior ISIS commander and the disruption of planned terrorist activities, describing the development as evidence that international security cooperation is yielding results.

Trump commends Tinubu’s leadership

In the letter released by the Presidency through the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Trump thanked Tinubu for his earlier correspondence and praised his determination to confront terrorism and other security threats.

“Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Your kind words mean a great deal to me, and I appreciate your decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people,” Trump wrote.

He further applauded Tinubu’s resolve to address insecurity, particularly attacks on Christian communities, saying it was an honour for the United States to work alongside Nigeria in confronting terrorism.

Trump described the US-Nigeria relationship as increasingly important at a time when violent conflicts have spread across West Africa and other parts of the world.

He said both countries share a common objective of defeating terrorism in all its forms and noted that the US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap provides a solid framework for achieving that goal.

The US president also disclosed that the United States had deployed its elite Special Operations Forces to train members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, improve operational effectiveness and strengthen intelligence capabilities.

According to Trump, the deployment is intended to equip Nigerian troops with the skills, tools and intelligence needed to protect the country and safeguard its citizens against terrorist threats.

Nigeria-US security cooperation expands

The letter comes as Nigeria and the United States continue to deepen defence and intelligence cooperation through several bilateral initiatives.

Last November, both countries agreed to establish a Joint Working Group co-chaired by their National Security Advisers to coordinate intelligence sharing, military training and joint operations against terrorist organisations.

The partnership has reportedly contributed to recent counter-terrorism successes, including operations targeting senior terrorist leaders and efforts to dismantle extremist networks operating within the region.

The growing collaboration has also coincided with recent security achievements by Nigerian authorities, including the successful rescue of 44 pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity without the payment of ransom.

The Presidency believes continued cooperation with the United States will further strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to combat terrorism, improve regional stability and reinforce diplomatic and economic relations between both countries.

While reactions to Trump’s letter have generated political debate, the Federal Government insists the correspondence reflects growing international confidence in Nigeria’s security reforms and validates the administration’s efforts to restore peace and strengthen national security.

Trump praises Tinubu’s anti-terror efforts as Presidency cites security progress