Last week, former First Lady of Kebbi State, Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu got elected as the president of the Union for International Cancer Control (UIC
Last week, former First Lady of Kebbi State, Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu got elected as the president of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), an organisation based in Switzerland that unites and supports the global cancer community to reduce the burden of cancer, promote greater equity and ensure that cancer control continues to be a priority in the world health and development agenda.
The Geneva-based UICC was founded in 1933 and has more than 1,100 member organisations in over 170 countries and territories.
This makes her the first African and the fifth woman to lead the global cancer control organisation.
This international elevation is coming two years after she vied for the same position but lost to an Australian, Professor Jeff Dunn, a behavioural scientist and CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. Hajia Zainab is expected to lead the organisation for two years.
That she emerged president of such a prestigious organisation is not surprising considering that she is a well-recognised global health leader in cancer care with a distinguished career in public health.
Two years ago, when she lost out in the race to become president, she was compensated with a board membership of UICC alongside 12 other UICC member organisations from 12 countries across Europe, Middle East, North America and Africa, because of her dedication to improving cancer care access and outcomes, particularly for women and children.
Barely a month ago, the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) awarded her with the prestigious 2024 Dicey Scroggins Distinguished Advocate Award which is presented annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to gynecologic cancer advocacy. Her election therefore attests to her competence and character.
