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

Ebonyi moves to cap estate agents’ fees, regulate house rent

The Ebonyi State Government has unveiled a sweeping package of reforms aimed at making housing more affordable, strengthening public safety, reviving industrial production and accelerating infrastructure development across the state.

At its latest Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held at the Government House in Abakaliki, the council approved the transmission of executive bills to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly seeking to regulate house rent, cap estate agents’ fees, control the activities of scrap dealers, and provide a legal framework for other strategic development initiatives.

The decisions form part of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration’s broader agenda to improve the ease of doing business, protect residents from exploitation and attract new investments into the state.

One of the major highlights of the EXCO meeting is the proposed Landlord and Tenant Bill, which seeks to protect tenants from excessive charges often imposed during the process of renting residential and commercial properties.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Chief Ikeuwah Omebeh, said the proposed legislation would legally limit estate agents’ commissions to a maximum of two per cent of the total rent paid by tenants.

He explained that only registered and qualified estate practitioners would be permitted to operate in Ebonyi once the bill becomes law, a move expected to eliminate unlicensed agents and reduce exploitative practices in the state’s housing sector.

According to the commissioner, many residents have repeatedly complained about multiple charges—including agency, legal and agreement fees—that significantly increase the cost of renting accommodation.

“The Executive Council approved the transmission of the bill to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly for proper legislation,” Omebeh said.

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The government believes the proposed law will improve transparency in tenancy agreements, promote professionalism within the real estate sector and make housing more affordable for residents.

The Executive Council also approved another executive bill to regulate the purchase, sale, transportation, possession and disposal of metal and electrical scraps throughout Ebonyi State.

The proposed legislation is intended to tackle the growing problem of vandalism affecting electricity infrastructure, public facilities and government assets.

If passed into law, the bill will establish stricter monitoring mechanisms for scrap dealers, improve public safety and ensure that legitimate operators comply with established standards.

Government officials say tighter regulation of the scrap business will also support environmental protection and reduce the illegal trade in stolen public property.

As part of efforts to promote indigenous healthcare and medical research, EXCO approved the establishment of Herbal Heritage Gardens in the state’s three senatorial districts.

The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Agriculture and Natural Resources.

According to Omebeh, the initiative aims to preserve medicinal plants, encourage scientific research into traditional medicine and create opportunities for commercial production of certified herbal products.

The state government will immediately begin consultations with stakeholders, identify suitable sites and develop regulatory guidelines in partnership with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and relevant research institutions.

Within the next 90 days, a supplementary memorandum will be presented to provide legal backing for the standardisation of herbal medicine, protection of intellectual property rights and integration of traditional medicine into primary healthcare delivery.

The Executive Council also directed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to commence legal proceedings for the termination of all abandoned 2-kilometre road contracts across the state.

The decision followed an assessment of ongoing infrastructure projects, which identified several abandoned contracts delaying development in various communities.

To ensure timely completion of the affected roads, EXCO constituted monitoring committees in all 13 local government areas.

The committees have been mandated to ensure the projects are completed before September 2026.

The Commissioner for Special Projects, Dr Mrs Ngozi Obichukwu, has also been instructed to prepare a comprehensive inventory of all abandoned road projects for immediate government intervention.

In a significant boost to the state’s industrialisation drive, the Executive Council approved plans for the design, construction and operation of a 6,000-tonnes-per-day cement plant at the Nkalagu Cement Industry.

The project will be executed in partnership with Jiangsu Pengfei Group Ltd, an international engineering company with extensive experience in cement manufacturing plants.

The revival of the historic Nkalagu Cement Industry is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, attract fresh investments, increase internally generated revenue and position Ebonyi as one of Nigeria’s major cement-producing states.

The government described the project as a strategic investment that will stimulate economic growth, strengthen local manufacturing and support Nigeria’s expanding construction industry.

Officials said the latest decisions reflect the state government’s commitment to protecting consumers, improving infrastructure, strengthening public institutions and creating an enabling environment for investment.

The administration expressed confidence that the proposed reforms would improve the quality of life for residents, restore investor confidence and accelerate sustainable economic development across Ebonyi State once the bills receive legislative approval.

Ebonyi moves to cap estate agents’ fees, regulate house rent