Deputy Speaker awards scholarships to Abia indigent children

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu on Sunday declared scholarship awards for all the indigent children in Bende town, the headquarters of Bende Local government area of Abia.

The Deputy Speaker made the declaration 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.

The scholarship is from the kindergarten to the university level.

Hon. 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, Hon. Kalu said he embarked on the tour to show appreciation to the people for their support in 2023 general elections.

He also urged the people to continue to support the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led All Progressives Congress (APC) federal government.

He said: “I love you all. The less privileged kids in Bende ward, from today, I will set up scholarship. I will start it up with N10 million. You will form a committee that will 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 need to develop human capital. It’s very important. 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 woman hall. It’s done. I’m happy that you voted for me and you’re happy with the work I have done so far. More work will be done.

“We will help the indigent, homeless families and old people with thatched roofed houses in Bende to build new and better ones. We have started already and we will go round the Ward. I need your prayers to do more. I need your support. We will do our best to develop Bende.”

Hon. Kalu who was conferred with a chieftancy title of Utabiri Bende 1 by Bende Traditional Rulers Council also donated many bags of rice and fertilizers to the people.

He also received decampees from various political parties into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Performing the chieftaincy rituals during the tour which turned out to be a carnival of some sort, the immediate past chairman of Bende Traditional Rulers Council, Eze (Engineer) Patrick Ude said the honour is 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, Barr. Peter Iheanacho Ndukwe said that all political structures in Bende town had collapsed into APC to massively support Kalu.

“We have collapsed APGA. In PDP, their only pride in Bende Ward here is the local government vice chairman. We told him to come out, 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 hardwork,” he said.

The event featured rich cultural displays of Igbo heritage, prayers and affirmation of solidarity with the deputy speaker in his political sojourn.