President Bola Tinubu has felicitated Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu on her election as President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
The UICC on Tuesday announced the election of the former First Lady of Kebbi State as its president-elect for the 2024-2026 term.
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Dr Zainab who is from Nigeria is the first African to be elected to the position.
Tinubu described her as a renowned paediatrician with a distinguished career in public health, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday.
The president underscored the historical significance of Dr Shinkafi-Bagudu’s election 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 affirmed the enormous talents that abound in Nigeria.
He 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 Dr Shinkafi-Bagudu’s invaluable services to Kebbi state and the country, for which Nigeria is deeply grateful.
He lauded 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.