Humanitarian leadership vital for Africa’s growth, says Fauziya Buhari-Ado as she bags int’l award

Dr. Fauziya Buhari-Ado, Special Assistant to the Kaduna State Governor on School Feeding Programme, has called on African leaders to adopt humanitarian-driven leadership and build stronger partnerships to end hunger and accelerate sustainable growth across the continent.

Speaking in Nairobi, Kenya, after receiving the 2025 4th Humanitarian Bootcamp Award, Dr. Buhari-Ado emphasized that true leadership must be grounded in empathy, compassion, and people-centered policies.

Delivering a presentation titled “Feeding the Future: Leveraging Humanitarian Leadership to Achieve Food Security and Economic Transformation in Africa,” she expressed appreciation to Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, for entrusting her with the responsibility of steering the state’s School Feeding Programme — a flagship initiative that provides daily meals to thousands of pupils.

“Governor Uba Sani’s confidence in my capacity to serve has made it possible to impact the lives of children across Kaduna State,” she stated. “Under his leadership, the School Feeding Programme has become a model of inclusive development — improving nutrition, boosting school attendance, empowering women, and supporting local farmers.”

Dr. Buhari-Ado described the programme as a comprehensive approach that strengthens multiple sectors, noting that each meal served represents “hope, care, and opportunity for the next generation.”

“Each meal we provide is not just food; it is a bridge to learning, a shield against poverty, and a promise that we see these children, we care for them, and we will not abandon them,” she said. “Feeding our children is not charity — it is nation-building.”

She underscored that food security should be recognized as a strategic foundation for Africa’s social and economic advancement, stressing that ending hunger is vital to sustaining peace and stability across the continent.

The award recipient also saluted African women leaders advancing humanitarian causes, paying tribute to Dr. Martina Nentawe Yilwatda, Patron of the Women’s Leadership Network, for her mentorship, and Mrs. Deborah Hornecker, the Network’s founder, for her unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment.

“The Women’s Leadership Network represents a powerful platform for collaboration and transformation,” she noted. “It brings together professional women from diverse sectors to drive inclusion, social impact, and leadership development across communities.”

In her closing remarks, Dr. Buhari-Ado urged governments, civil society, development partners, and the private sector to work collectively to eliminate hunger across Africa.

“When the day comes that no African child — and no African adult — goes to bed hungry, we will know that we have truly fed the future — not through power, but through humanity, compassion, and love,” she said.

PlatinumPost reports that Dr. Fauziya Buhari-Ado, a recognized public policy advocate and humanitarian leader, has made her mark through initiatives promoting education reform, women’s empowerment, and social inclusion.

As Executive Chairperson of the Kaduna State School Feeding Programme, she has led efforts that enhance child nutrition, expand access to education, and strengthen community-based economic participation.