President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulates Dr Zainab
Shinkafi-Bagudu, a renowned pediatrician with a distinguished career in public
health and former First Lady of Kebbi State, on her election as President of
the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on
Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga said the President underscores the
historic significance of Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu's election on October 8 as the
first African and the fifth woman to lead the global cancer control
organisation.
The President notes that her election attests to her competence
and character and affirms the enormous talents that abound in Nigeria.
President Tinubu describes Shinkafi-Bagudu’s ascension in the
organisation as a landmark achievement and a testament to Nigeria's growing
influence in global health leadership.
President Tinubu recalls Dr Shinkafi-Bagudu's invaluable
services to Kebbi state and the country, for which Nigeria is deeply grateful.
He lauds her stewardship as Chairperson of the First Ladies Cancer Initiative
and her contributions to establishing the Kebbi State Strategic Plan for Cancer
Control during her tenure as the First Lady of Kebbi State.
Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu founded the Medicaid Cancer Foundation.
She is also a Senior Advisor to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social
Welfare and Vice Chair of Nigeria's National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer
Elimination.
Through the Federal Ministry of Health and international
partnerships, Nigeria has successfully vaccinated 12 million girls against the
Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a leading cause of cervical cancer.
The administration has allocated N37.4 billion to the Federal
Ministry of Health's Oncology Initiative.
This initiative will facilitate the establishment of six cancer
centres across the country within two years, located in teaching hospitals in
Benin, Zaria, Katsina, Enugu, Jos, and Lagos.
President Tinubu expresses confidence in Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu's
ability to use her new office and leadership to improve cancer control and
global health.
The Geneva-based UICC was founded in 1933 and has more than 1100
member organisations in over 170 countries and territories.