Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, a renowned Nigerian paediatrician with a distinguished career in public health and former First Lady of Kebbi State, has been elected President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

Her election on October 8, 2024 makes her the first African and the fifth woman to lead the global cancer control organisation.

Congratulating Shinkafi-Bagudu, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu noted that her election attests to her competence and character and affirms the enormous talents that abound in Nigeria.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), says: ?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.

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