Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has distributed thousands of educational materials to 26 primary and secondary schools in Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State under the Renewed Hope Support Programme for Education.

The initiative, which took place in Bende Local Government Area, forms part of several constituency projects introduced by Kalu to promote human capital development and youth empowerment in the area he represents at the National Assembly.

Among the items distributed were 1,000 chairs and desks, 8,000 school bags, 10,000 textbooks and exercise books, as well as 100 whiteboards.

Speaking during the distribution exercise on Saturday, Kalu told the students and teachers that the intervention was designed to support their future and improve the quality of learning in schools.

“You are going to be greater than me. That is why we are doing what we are doing today,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker also stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to building a generation equipped with sound moral values and quality education.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants you to grow up in the knowledge of the Lord and also in what makes life better through education. This is Renewed Hope through education,” he added.

According to Kalu, the programme is intended to motivate students to take their studies seriously by creating a better learning environment and providing essential educational materials.

“We don’t want you to be sitting on the floor again. We don’t want you to be looking for lockers in your school,” he said.

“From now on, you are going to have very beautiful lockers. We will also give you books and bags today.”

Kalu further disclosed that the 26 schools represent only the first phase of beneficiaries, noting that plans are already in place to extend the intervention to more schools within the constituency.