Abuja, November 18, 2024.- The Ambassador of Cuba in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Miriam Morales Palmero, received this morning, at the Embassy headquarters, the newly President-elect of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu.
Ambassador Miriam Morales conveyed congratulations on her election as president of this important international organization, and also pointed out all the sectors in which they could exchange due to Cuba's biotechnological and pharmaceutical achievements in that sector. During the exchange, the Cuban ambassador conveyed the invitation to participate in the 2025 Health Congress, organized by the Ministry of Public Health, which will take place next year in Havana.
For her part, the President-elect of the UICC conveyed that she learned about the main achievements of the Cuban Revolution, such as health and free education. She also recognized the strength and resilience of the Cuban people over these 65 years.
Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu's election, which took place on October 8, marks a historic milestone, as she becomes the first African and the fifth woman to lead the global organization dedicated to cancer control.
Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu's career has been distinguished by her long-standing commitment to cancer advocacy, both within Nigeria and internationally. During her tenure as First Lady of Kebbi State, she played a major role in the development of the Kebbi State Strategic Plan for Cancer Control. In addition, she served as Chairperson of the First Ladies Cancer Initiative, where she championed cancer prevention and treatment initiatives across Nigeria.
She is the founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, a consultant pediatrician, and a member of the Nigerian Cancer Society and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
She is one of the most important voices in the fight against cancer in Nigeria and has served in many national and international committees and taskforces on cancer awareness, prevention and control.
Also present on the Cuban side was Third Secretary Ana Flavia Gómez Pavot.
(Embassy of Cuba in Nigeria)