Voices

Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu: Delivering Cancer Education at NISS Health Week

Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu/LinkedIn

Sep 4, 2025, 08:36

Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu: Delivering Cancer Education at NISS Health Week

Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, UICC President-Elect of 2024-2026 and a Founder and CEO of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“I was invited by the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), to deliver a talk on Cancer, to the Executive Intelligence Management Course 18, as part of their 2025 Health Week held in Bwari, Abuja.

Cancer causes nearly 10 million deaths each year, and highlighting the urgency of education and awareness is crucial for all, including our security personnel, whose optimal health is vital to the safety of our nation.

I delivered my lecture to about 80 participants made up of Syndicate 1–6 from 6 African countries. Their role as security agents is vital to overall health security and national progress. A constant issue we face are myths and misconceptions alongside criminal activities like diversion of supplies and vandalism.

Participants asked thoughtful questions such as causes of increasing rates of cancer screening, the link between fatty liver and liver cancer, and many others. The audience also offered valuable insights, including the importance of training more health workers to reduce missed diagnoses.

I was presented with an award by the organizing team and committee, and I was also taken on a tour of the facilities, including a visit to the office of the Commandant, Mr. Joseph Obule Odama.

This visit carried deep personal significance. I made a deliberate stop at the DSS Medical Center, named “Umaru Shinkafi Medical Center” in honor of my late father, who served as the DG National Security Organization, precursor to DSS, from October 1979-December 1984. May Allah bless his soul and may his legacy live through such beautiful projects. I also stumbled onto our CSO from Kebbi, fondly named “Oga Bawa”

I extend my appreciation to the organizing committee, sponsors, partners, and everyone who contributed to making this event a success. Strengthening health awareness within such institutions is a legacy worth building upon.”

More posts featuring Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu.