Ayobamiji Komolafe 
President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, following her historic election as President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
Shinkafi-Bagudu, a distinguished paediatrician and public health expert was the former First Lady of Kebbi State.
She is the first African and the fifth woman to lead the prestigious global cancer control organization following his election.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Tinubu hailed Shinkafi-Bagudu’s election as a reflection of her outstanding competence, character, and leadership in global health.
Tinubu emphasized that her election serves as a testament to Nigeria’s growing influence on the global stage, particularly in the field of cancer control and healthcare leadership.
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Dr Shinkafi-Bagudu’s election to this prominent position highlights her decades-long commitment to improving cancer care, not only in Nigeria but globally.
As the Chairperson of the First Ladies Cancer Initiative and the founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, she has played a pivotal role in advancing cancer awareness, early detection, and treatment in Nigeria.
Her efforts also led to the development of the Kebbi State Strategic Plan for Cancer Control during her tenure as First Lady.
Tinubu commended her for these contributions and expressed confidence in her ability to leverage her new role at the UICC to improve cancer control worldwide, particularly in underserved regions like Africa.
In alignment with Shinkafi-Bagudu’s efforts, Nigeria has made significant strides in combating cervical cancer through a national vaccination program.
With the help of international partnerships, the country has successfully vaccinated 12 million girls against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a leading cause of cervical cancer.
The Federal Government has further demonstrated its commitment to cancer care by allocating ₦37.4 billion to the Oncology Initiative under the Federal Ministry of Health.
This funding will support the establishment of six specialized cancer centersbacross Nigeria within two years.
The centers are to be located in teaching hospitals in Benin, Zaria, Katsina, Enugu, Jos, and Lagos.
The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) is one of the oldest and most influential cancer organizations globally.
Founded in 1933, it has its headquarter in Geneva, Switzerland. The UICC comprises over 1,100 member organizations from more than 170 countries and territories.
They are all dedicated to reducing the global cancer burden and advancing cancer prevention and control measures.
Tinubu further expressed his confidence in Shinkafi-Bagudu’s leadership and her ability to spearhead new initiatives that will improve global health and cancer care through her new position.
