Buhari-Ado Advocates Humanitarian Leadership As Key To Food Security

The Special Assistant to Kaduna State Governor on School Feeding Programme, Dr. Fauziya Buhari-Ado, has called for stronger humanitarian leadership and strategic partnerships to combat hunger and promote sustainable economic transformation across Africa.

Buhari-Ado who made the call while receiving the 2025 4th Humanitarian Bootcamp Award in Nairobi, Kenya,
emphasised that genuine leadership must be anchored on empathy, compassion, and actionable policies that advance the welfare of citizens.

In her presentation, titled “Feeding the Future: Leveraging Humanitarian Leadership to Achieve Food Security and Economic Transformation in Africa,” Dr. Buhari-Ado expressed profound appreciation to His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, for his vision, trust, and leadership in championing the Kaduna State School Feeding Programme, a flagship social intervention that provides daily meals to thousands of schoolchildren across the state.

“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.”

In a statement, she described the initiative as a holistic approach that strengthens multiple sectors of the economy, noting that every meal served goes beyond nourishment to symbolize 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,” Dr. Buhari-Ado said. “Feeding our children is not charity — it is nation-building.”

She further stressed that food security must be viewed as a strategic pillar of Africa’s social and economic development, adding that eradicating hunger is essential to ensuring stability, productivity, and peace across the continent.

Dr. Buhari-Ado also paid tribute to outstanding women leaders who have played pivotal roles in advancing humanitarian and leadership development across Africa. She commended Dr. Martina Nentawe Yilwatda, Patron of the Women’s Leadership Network, for her foresight and mentorship, and Mrs. Deborah Hornecker, the Network’s founder, for her resilience and 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.”