In the last 17 years, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, wife of Kebbi State Governor, has devoted her life into advocating for a better public health and cancer control. In addition, the amiable woman has brought her experience as a paediatrician to the role of First Lady of Kebbi since 2015. Working within as the chief health advocate of the state, Kebbi has achieved many public health milestones. Top of the list is increase in immunisation coverage from 17 per cent in 2015 to 85 per cent today. For her numerous advocacy, policy accomplishments and outstanding contributions which have propelled significant innovation and progress in public health and cancer within Nigeria and beyond, Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu, on Sunday, August 14, was inducted as a fellow of the African Institute of Public Health Professionals (AIPHP) at a tasteful event in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
Induction into the AIPHP fellowship is a significant milestone in any public health professional’s career, in which their accomplishments are honoured by their colleagues within and outside the profession. This year, six members —including Dr Shinkafi Bagudu, have been honoured for their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance public health in Nigeria. At the investiture, Dr Ayodele Bankole James, Registrar of the Institute, said the governor’s wife was made a Fellow of the Institute after going through her works, service to humanity and achievements in the area of cancer locally, nationally and globally,
During her acceptance speech, Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu —who is the Founder and CEO of Medicaid Cancer Foundation, and also sits on the Board of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)— expressed gratitude and honour by the conferral of the fellowship. She pledged to continue to put more effort into the works she’s doing, especially in the cancer control space.