Zaggi Hassan

QUOTES FROM PROMINENT SPEAKERS AT THE NATIONAL CANCER BIOBANK NETWORK WORKSHOP, HELD IN ABUJA, ON October 22, 2026. #NICRAT #IARC #WHO #NCBN #Biobanks

📢𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗔𝗔𝗜 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿🌍🎗️ The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), in collaboration with BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH) and the African Access Initiative (AAI), is pleased to endorse the upcoming Digital Course on AAI Treatment of Colorectal Cancer (CRC). This 8-session digital lecture series is designed to support oncologists and nurses across Africa with practical knowledge and evidence-based approaches to improving colorectal cancer treatment. 📚 Key Topics Include: 🔹 Surgery for Colorectal Cancer (CRC) 🔹 Radiation Therapy for CRC 🔹 Systemic Therapy for CRC 🔹 The Role of Nutrition in Cancer Care 🔹 Implementing CRC Guidelines in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) 🔹 And more! 📅 Date: August 12 – October 1, 2026 ⏰ Each lecture will last one hour, followed by 30 minutes of interactive Q&A. 🎯 Why Participate? Strengthen your clinical knowledge, engage with experts, and contribute to advancing quality colorectal cancer care across Africa. 🔗 REGISTER NOW: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi… Share this opportunity with colleagues and healthcare professionals who are committed to improving cancer care delivery. Together, we can strengthen capacity, expand access to quality treatment, and improve outcomes for people living with colorectal cancer. #NICRAT #BVGH #AAI #AfricanAccessInitiative #ColorectalCancer #CancerCare #Oncology #CancerResearch #HealthcareInAfrica #CancerControl #CapacityBuilding #CRC2026

𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗧 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀-𝗧𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗖𝗔𝗥 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝟮, 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗗𝗙𝗕 The Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, has revealed that the moment the institute secured the needed funding, it will kicks-tart the phase 2 of the Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Cancer Research and Implementation (SINCCAR) project. He disclosed this when a team from Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology (ACENTDFB) led by the Centre Leader, Prof. YKE Ibrahim, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja. The SINCCAR project is a strategic initiative developed by NICRAT to enhance Nigeria’s ability to conduct first-class cancer research and to also translate the evidence or the result into meaningful public health interventions. The SINCCAR project is structured in three phases- first, is the assessment of institutional capacity, two; the capacity training phase and the third will be grant provision phase that will support research implementation. Prof. Malami further expressed the readiness of the Institute to partner with ACENTDFB in the area of linkage between Schistosomiasis and Cancer, comorbidity of cancer and other non-communicable diseases, capacity building training for early and mid-career cancer researchers, joint grant applications and bio-banking. He stressed that NICRAT will form a committee that will work with the ACENTDFB team to formulate a policy document that will help the government tackle the challenge of Schistosomiasis before it escalates to a bigger national problem. he NICRAT DG commended the ACENTDFB for supporting the Institute in its effort to establish one of best and reliable bio-bank in Africa. Earlier, the ACENTDFB Centre Leader, Prof. YKE Ibrahim, commended the NICRAT management for their effort in the fight against cancer which, according to him, has brought a dramatic change in the cancer narrative in Nigeria and Africa at large. The main purpose of the visit, he said, was to seek for partnership with NICRAT in crucial areas, especially, in the areas of research and capacity building, that will boost the Institute’s fight against cancer in the country. He disclosed that in the area of oncology, his Centre of Excellence focuses on breast cancer, Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) and prostate cancer, while in the area of Neglected Tropical and Parasitic Diseases, the Centre focuses on African Trypanosomiasis, Schistosomiasis and Lymphatic Filariasis. #NICRAT #ACENTDFB #HCC #Bio-Bank #SINCCAR #follower

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲: 𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗚 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗱𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗯𝘂 The Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the recent approval of the design, construction, furnishing, equipping, supervision and commissioning of a flagship National Cancer Institute. He stated this in a Press Release in Abuja, noting that the approval is a clear “demonstration of care and concern for the health and general well-being of all Nigerians by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government.” This approval, the NICRAT DG said, also brings to the fore the President’s penchant for embarking on bold interventions meant to better the living standard of Nigerians at all levels. “This project, will no doubt, make Nigeria the centre of attraction in terms of sophisticated cancer care and research in Africa and the world at large. “The facility will strengthen cancer research, treatment, innovation, capacity building and also provide world-class cancer services in Nigeria. “This approval and many other steps taken by the President Tinubu-led government like the recent upgrading of more cancer centres, with three facilities in Kastina, Benin, and Enugu already completed, shows commitment, capacity and willingness to give Nigerians a better life,” Prof. Malami said. While commending the wisdom behind the approval given by the President, Prof. Malami said: “Even though the establishment of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) three years ago, has brought the country to the global limelight in terms of the fight against cancer, however, the approval by President Tinubu of the construction of the National Cancer Institute with state-of-the-art equipment will give Nigeria more visibility and dignity among comity of nations in terms of cancer care and research.” He described the approval as a game changer with immense benefit to Nigeria and Nigerians in many ways, explaining that: “Chief among the benefits is that the project will drastically reduce medical tourism by Nigerians affected by cancer. This is because Nigeria loses millions of dollars annually to other countries as many Nigerians travel to those countries for more sophisticated cancer diagnosis and treatment. “On the other hand, the project will make Nigeria a destination of choice by many countries in Africa and beyond in terms of cancer treatment and research, hence, it will generate and improve Nigeria’s foreign exchange. “The state-of-the-art Institute, will no doubt, escalate cancer research and innovation in Nigeria. This is because many oncology experts will take advantage of the well-equipped Institute and the conducive environment to conduct innovative research in different areas of cancer. “The Institute will also be a hub and a reference point for the training and retraining of oncology experts and researchers across Africa. It will equally be a centre for the development of highly skilled cancer care professionals, strengthen evidence-based policymaking, promote innovation and technology-driven cancer care, and foster collaboration with leading institutions within Nigeria, Africa and globally.” The approval by the president, Prof. Malami further noted, will lay what he described as a foundation for a stronger healthcare system that is battle-ready and capable of responding more effectively and promptly to the evolving health needs of Nigeria’s growing population. He also commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, CON, for his strategic leadership and commitment to transforming Nigeria’s health sector, as well as the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, for his persistent advocacy, commitment and support in helping to move this important vision from aspiration to reality. “NICRAT also acknowledges with deep sense of appreciation the support and encouragement received from the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom,” he said. The NICRAT boss expressed the commitment of the Institute to “continue to work with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, state governments, development partners, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the private sector and other critical stakeholders in cancer space to build a coordinated national cancer control system that delivers measurable impact. “The Management and Staff of NICRAT, therefore, assure Mr. President of their commitment to work hard to ensure that this landmark project delivers on the promise of the Renewed Hope Agenda.” #NICRAT #CSOs #CancerInstitute #follower #FMOHSW

𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗧-𝗡𝗖𝗖𝗣 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 The Global Advisory Council of the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) has commended the efforts of the Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, and his team in the fight against cancer in Nigeria. The chairperson of the Global Advisory Council, Prof. Dr. Folakemi Odedina, gave the commendation when she led a delegation on a courtesy visit to NICRAT management in Abuja. While applauding the speed at which the NICRAT management was moving in an effort to improve cancer care in Nigeria, Prof. Dr. Odedina said: “I am proud to be working closely with NICRAT. Since the beginning, Prof. Malami and I have been talking about a number of things and the ability to do some good things in the area of cancer. “We are so much looking to a number of things that we are going to give to NICRAT to do because the technical working group designed what works and what will not work. For example, research and innovation, what should be plan B for clinical trials and many others. Before the end of the year, we will have a strategy meeting. We are so proud of NICRAT.” Earlier, the Director General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, reiterated the commitment of the Institute to partner with both local and international stakeholders in the fight against cancer. Represented by the Director Clinical Service, Prof. Musa Ali-Gombe, the NICRAT DG noted that the institute alone cannot succeed in the fight against cancer without the active participation, support and cooperation of critical stakeholders both locally and internationally. “We are interested in your support and partnership. Your support will go a long way in assisting us achieve our objectives of reducing cancer burden to the barest minimum in Nigeria,” the NICRAT DG said. He commended members of the Global Advisory Council for their individual and collective contribution to the fight against cancer globally and Nigeria in particular. The NICRAT DG explained that the Institute is working hard to reduce the cancer burden in the country through the implementation of several novel plans and programs. The Global Advisory Council of the Technical Working Group (TWG) for NCCP is an international leadership body that have placed on itself the burden of driving the "Cancer Free Nigeria 2030" campaign. The NCCP has the ambitious target of reducing of Nigeria's cancer burden by 2030 through prevention, early detection, prompt treatment, research, and data management. #NICRAT #NCCP #CancerFreeNigeria2030 #TWG #GlobalAdvisoryCouncil