President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, a respected paediatrician and former First Lady of Kebbi State, on her recent election as the President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Adviser on Information and Strategy, the president highlighted the historic importance of Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu’s achievement, noting that she is the first African and the fifth woman to lead the global cancer-control organization. This milestone was reached on October 8.
President Tinubu praised her election as a recognition of her skill and integrity, emphasizing that it showcases the outstanding talent Nigeria has to offer. He described her new role as a remarkable achievement, reflecting Nigeria’s increasing influence in global health leadership.
He also recalled her significant contributions to Kebbi State and Nigeria as a whole, especially during her time as First Lady, where she played a crucial role in developing the Kebbi State Strategic Plan for Cancer Control. He further commended her leadership as Chairperson of the First Ladies Cancer Initiative.
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The president expressed confidence in Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu’s ability to enhance cancer control efforts and make a positive impact on global health through her leadership at UICC.
The UICC, founded in 1933 and based in Geneva, has over 1,100 member organizations from more than 170 countries.
Apart from her new role, Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu is the founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation and serves as a Senior Advisor to Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. She also holds the position of Vice-Chair of the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination.
Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Health and international collaborations, has successfully vaccinated 12 million girls against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a leading cause of cervical cancer. Additionally, the government has committed N37.4 billion to the Oncology Initiative, which will establish six cancer centers in various teaching hospitals across the country within the next two years.
