On Wednesday, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu was congratulated by President Bola Tinubu on being elected President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
The election of Shinkafi-Bagudu on October 8 as the first African and fifth woman to head the global cancer control organization was emphasized by Tinubu as historic.
He stated that the election confirmed her abilities and character and confirmed Nigeria’s vast talent pool. According to a statement from Bayou Onanuga, the President’s Special Advisor for Information and Strategy.
Shinkafi-Bagudu’s rise within the organization was hailed by Tinubu as a historic accomplishment and proof of Nigeria’s expanding leadership in the field of global health. He mentioned her priceless contributions to Kebbi State and the nation, for which Nigeria is incredibly appreciative.
During her time as the First Lady of Kebbi State, he praised her leadership as the Chairperson of the First Ladies Cancer Initiative and her efforts in creating the Kebbi State Strategic Plan for Cancer Control.
Renowned pediatrician Shinkafi-Bagudu, a former Kebbi State First Lady who created the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, has a successful career in public health. In addition, she serves as Vice Chair of Nigeria’s National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination and Senior Advisor to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
Twelve million girls in Nigeria have received the successful vaccination against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is the primary cause of cervical cancer, through the Federal Ministry of Health and international collaborations.
The Federal Ministry of Health’s Oncology Initiative has received ₦37.4 billion from the administration. Six cancer centers will be established nationwide in two years thanks to this effort; they will be housed at teaching hospitals in Benin, Zaria, Katsina, Enugu, Jos, and Lagos.
President Tinubu expressed faith in Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu’s abilities to advance cancer control and world health through her new position and leadership. Founded in 1933, the Geneva-based UICC now boasts over 1100 member organizations from more than 170 nations and territories.
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