Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has declared scholarship awards for all indigent youngsters in Bende town, which serves as the capital of Abia’s Bende Local Government.
The deputy speaker made the announcement over the weekend during the culmination of his tour of the Bende federal constituency’s 13 electoral wards in Bende, the local government’s headquarters as well as the political capital of the federal constituency that he represents in the national assembly.
According to Kalu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Levinus Nwabughiogu, the scholarship covers kindergarten through university.
Kalu also vowed to assist other underprivileged folks and the poorest of the poor in reconstructing their thatched roofed houses in Bende town in order to provide a dignified livelihood for the community.
Received from several youth groups and women.With men’s groups in big numbers, Kalu said he went on the tour to thank the people for their support in the 2023 general elections. He also asked people to continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) federal government.
He said, “I love you all.” I will establish a scholarship for underprivileged children in Bende Ward beginning today. I shall start with N10 million. You will organise a committee to administer it. The money should be utilised to pay these kids’ school expenses. I will ensure that they are trained from kindergarten to university level.
“In addition to creating roads and hospitals, we need to develop human capital. It’s quite significant. The children are the leaders of tomorrow. God is going to bless all of us.
“As for the solar energy and other things you requested, I will make sure they are completed. The remodelling of the women’s hall. It’s finished. I’m glad you voted for me and that you’re satisfied with the job I’ve done thus far. More work will be completed. “We will assist indigent, homeless families and elderly people in Bende with thatched roofed houses in building new and better ones.We’ve already started and will go around the Ward. I need your prayers to do more. I need your support. We will do our best to develop Bende.”
Kalu, who was given the chieftaincy title of Utabiri Bende 1 by the Bende Traditional Rulers Council, also donated many sacks of food and fertiliser to the community. He also welcomed decampees from various political parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Performing chieftaincy ceremonies during the tour, which turned out to be a funfair of some sort, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Eze (Engr.) Patrick Ude, the immediate past chairman of Bende Traditional Rulers Council, said Kalu’s selfless devotion to the constituency made the distinction well deserved. Ude, who was particularly pleased with the recent signing into law of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) bill sponsored by the deputy speaker, thanked President Tinubu for his assent.
Barr. Peter Iheanacho Ndukwe, President General of Bende Town Development Union, stated that all political entities in Bende town had been collapsed into the APC in order to massively support Kalu.”We have demolished APGA. The PDP’s lone pride in Bende Ward is the local government vice chairman. We persuaded him to come out, that the All Progressive Congress is superior, that our brother is making us proud. So he fled and joined the APC. So we’ve dismantled the PDP remains in this ward. “This is proof of Benjamin Kalu’s labour, his hardwork,” he stated. The celebration included rich cultural performances of Igbo history, prayers, and statements of sympathy with the deputy speaker along his political journey.
In Essence
This move is particularly strategic for Kalu, given his role as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and the recent support he has garnered from his constituency.
The scholarship initiative, alongside promises to improve infrastructure and housing, can strengthen his political base by directly addressing the needs of his constituents.
However, this gesture can also be seen through a political lens, especially considering the timing of the announcement following the 2023 elections and the recent defections to the APC. It highlights the interplay between governance and political loyalty in Nigerian politics, where developmental projects are often linked to political support.
