Jerry Adams, the newly nominated running mate to Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna for the 2027 election has received a grand homecoming reception in his hometown Moro’a in Kaura Local Government Area.

Speaking at the reception on Tuesday, Adams expressed gratitude to God and Gov.

Adams thanked the people of Kaura local government area and entire Southern Kaduna for the homecoming reception and support shown to him.

Adams called for unity of purpose and sense of responsibility among the people of Kaura local government area.

“I call on every member and resident of Kaura to unite and give full support to Gov. Uba Sani’s administration as we work together for progress, development, and a brighter future for the people of Kaduna state” he said.

In his remarks, Obadiah Sankyai, the Chairman of Kaura local government, thanked Gov. Sani for choosing an illustrious son of the area to be his deputy in the 2027 general election.

Sankyai said the governor didn’t make a mistake in his choice, as Adams is a man with a proven track record, integrity, capacity, and the ability to touch the lives of people around him.

He further appreciated all stakeholders and other party faithfuls who made the nomination possible, as shown in the wide acceptance of the governor’s choice.

In their separate remarks, the three royal fathers of Kagoro, Moro’a and Takad chiefdoms gave their royal blessings to their son and promised to continue to pray for his success and a peaceful Kaduna state.

Local Governments Chairmen in Kaduna State have pledged to improve budgeting and prioritise investments aimed at reducing child poverty through better access to healthcare, education, nutrition, water, sanitation and social protection.

The commitment followed the conclusion of a three-day Public Financial Management workshop on Wednesday in Kano, organised by the Kaduna state Planning and Budget Commission with support from UNICEF Kaduna Field Office.

Child poverty is depriving children of experience when they lack access to essential services and opportunities, including quality healthcare, education, adequate nutrition, safe drinking water, sanitation and social protection.

The chairman of Soba Local Government, Mohammad Shehu, said the workshop equipped council chairmen with practical knowledge to improve budget planning and service delivery.

Shehu, who led Zone One during the workshop, said participating councils had agreed to increase investments in primary healthcare, sanitation and maternal health.

He said some councils planned to construct two primary healthcare centres every quarter and expand funding for toilet construction in their communities.

According to him, local governments would also procure delivery kits for pregnant women to reduce maternal and child deaths.

Shehu said funding constraints would be addressed through improved planning and collaboration with the Federal Government, Kaduna State Government and development partners.

He disclosed that Soba Local Government intended to sponsor between 20 and 30 students annually to study medicine and return to serve rural communities.

According to him, strengthening healthcare, education and economic opportunities for families would help reduce child poverty across local government areas.

Chairman of Kachia Local Government, Magaji Henry, described the workshop as one of the most impactful programmes attended by the chairmen.

Henry said participants received valuable data on their councils, including statistics on out-of-school children, to guide evidence-based budgeting and development planning.

He pledged to strengthen nutrition interventions, maternal healthcare services and support for vulnerable children in Kachia.

Henry said the council has a nutrition budget line and was introducing toll-free health services and free delivery kits for pregnant women completing antenatal care.

Chairman of Lere Local Government, Jafaru Ahmed, said the workshop deepened participants’ understanding of budgeting and prudent management of limited public resources.

Ahmed said the chairmen learned that effective planning and proper prioritisation could achieve significant development outcomes despite financial constraints.

Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Alhaji Sani Bako, urged council chairmen to eliminate revenue leakages through stronger internal controls and transparent financial management.

Bako advised them to embrace digital revenue collection, improve financial reporting and strengthen accountability to maximise resources for development.

He said stronger public financial management would translate into better schools, healthcare facilities, clean water, sanitation, youth empowerment and economic opportunities.

Bako commended UNICEF for supporting reforms that promote fiscal discipline, transparency and improved grassroots governance across Kaduna State.

Also, Chairman of the Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Mahmood Lawal, urged the chairmen to improve budget preparation and correct shortcomings identified in previous local government budgets.

Lawal assured them of the Assembly’s continued support in strengthening local governance and achieving the state’s development priorities.

Candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) whose names appeared on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) list have commended the party’s National Leader, Seriake Dickson, for resolving disputes arising from the party’s primaries.

The candidates, in separate remarks on Wednesday, said Dickson’s intervention helped address concerns over delays in the publication of the party’s candidates’ list, especially for National Assembly elections.

They said his efforts contributed to reconciling aggrieved aspirants and restoring confidence within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

NDC candidate for Abia Central Senatorial District and former senator, Nkechi Nwaogu, commended Dickson for his role in guiding the party through challenges associated with the primaries and nomination process.

Nwaogu urged aspirants who did not secure the party’s tickets to remain committed, saying electoral contests produce winners and losers.

She appealed to them to support the party’s efforts toward victory in the 2027 elections.

“I appeal to aspirants who did not get tickets to see this as a contest in which those who lost today can win tomorrow.

“They should work with our party to ensure its victory in the 2027 elections,” she said.

Also reacting, Nnamdi Iroegbu, who did not secure the party’s House of Representatives ticket for Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency in Imo, accepted the outcome and pledged continued support for the party.