Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kalu, has announced scholarship awards for all indigent children in Bende town, the headquarters of the Bende Local Government Area of Abia.
The deputy speaker made the declaration over the weekend during the grand finale of his tour of the 13 electoral wards of Bende federal constituency in Bende, the headquarters of the local government, which also serves as the political capital of the federal constituency, which he represents at the national assembly.
A statement by Kalu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Levinus Nwabughiogu, said the scholarship is for students from kindergarten to university.
Kalu also promised to help other less privileged individuals and the poorest of the poor in rebuilding their thatched-roofed houses within Bende town to give the people a decent living.
Received by different youth groups and women and men’s groups in their large numbers, Kalu said he embarked on the tour to show appreciation to the people for their support in the 2023 general elections.
He also urged the people to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who led the All Progressives Congress (APC) federal government.
“I love you all. I will set up a scholarship for the less privileged kids in the Bende ward starting today. I will start it with N10 million. You will form a committee to manage it. The money should be used to pay school fees for these kids. I will ensure that they are trained from kindergarten to the university level.
“Aside from building roads, hospitals and so on, we must develop human capital. It’s essential. The kids are leaders of tomorrow. God is going to bless us all.
“As for the solar energy and other things you requested, I will ensure it’s done. The renovation of the women’s hall. It’s done. I’m happy you voted for me and are happy with my work. More work will be done,” Kalu said.
Kalu, conferred with the chieftaincy title of Utabiri Bende 1 by the Bende Traditional Rulers Council, also donated many bags of rice and fertilisers to the people.
He also received decampees from various political parties into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Performing the chieftaincy rituals during the tour, the immediate past chairman of Bende Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty Eze Patrick Ude, said the honour was well deserving due to Kalu’s selfless service to the constituency.
Ude, who was particularly elated by the recent signing into law of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) bill sponsored by the deputy speaker, also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the assent.
In his remarks, the President General of Bende Town Development Union, Peter Iheanacho Ndukwe, said that all political structures in Bende town had collapsed into APC to support Kalu massively.
“We have collapsed APGA. In PDP, their only pride in Bende Ward is the local government vice chairman. We told him that All Progressive Congress is better, and our brother is making us proud. So, he left and joined APC. So, we’ve collapsed the remnants of PDP in this ward. This is proof of Benjamin Kalu’s labour, his hard work”, he said.
