President Bola Tinubu commended Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu on her election as President of the Union for International Cancer Control, making her the first African and fifth woman to lead the worldwide cancer control organisation.
Shinkafi-Bagudu, a paediatrician and former First Lady of Kebbi State, was elected on October 8th.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised her victory as a tremendous success, applauding her expertise and character.
He stated that her achievement reflects Nigeria’s growing prominence in global health leadership and demonstrates the country’s wealth of talent.
He said, “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 President expressed trust in Shinkafi-Bagudu’s abilities to use her new position to advance cancer control and world health.
The Union for International Cancer Control, headquartered in Geneva, was founded in 1933 and now has over 1,100 member organisations in more than 170 nations and territories.
