By Abigail Philip David
President Bola Tinubu has extended his congratulations to Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu following her election as the President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), making her the first African and the fifth woman to hold this prestigious position.
Shinkafi-Bagudu, a paediatrician and former First Lady of Kebbi State, was elected to the role on October 8.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, Tinubu praised Shinkafi-Bagudu’s leadership qualities and character, highlighting her election as a remarkable achievement. He also noted that her victory showcases Nigeria’s growing impact in global health leadership and reflects the depth of talent the country possesses.
“President Tinubu recalls Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu’s invaluable services to Kebbi State and the nation, for which Nigeria is deeply grateful. He commends her role as Chairperson of the First Ladies Cancer Initiative and her efforts in developing the Kebbi State Strategic Plan for Cancer Control during her time as the First Lady of the state,” the statement read.
Shinkafi-Bagudu is also the founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation and serves as a Senior Advisor to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, as well as Vice Chair of Nigeria’s National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination. She has played a key role in the vaccination of 12 million girls against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a leading cause of cervical cancer, through initiatives involving the Federal Ministry of Health and international collaborations.
Tinubu expressed his confidence in Shinkafi-Bagudu’s ability to use her new position to enhance cancer control efforts and global health outcomes.
The UICC, headquartered in Geneva, was established in 1933 and comprises over 1,100 member organisations across more than 170 countries and territories worldwide.
