President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, a renowned paediatrician on her election as President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
Tinubu in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga said Shinkafi-Bagudu has a distinguished career in public health and is a former First Lady of Kebbi State.
The President underscores the historic significance of Shinkafi-Bagudu’s election on October 8 as the first African and the fifth woman to lead the global cancer control organisation.
Tinubu noted that her election attests to her competence and character and affirms the enormous talents that abound in Nigeria.
READ ALSO:Nigeria’s collective vision anchored on strengthening institutions, others – Tinubu
President Tinubu described 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 recalled 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.
READ ALSO: My administration taking crucial steps to improve access to goods, services’ – Tinubu
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.
READ ALSO: Your expertise shapes Nigeria’s economic landscape’, Tinubu tells accountants
The Geneva-based UICC was founded in 1933 and has more than 1100 member organisations in over 170 countries and territories.
