Gist

US embassy celebrates Nigerian Runcie Chidebe

Monday, December 16, 2019 at 8:54 AM by Khadijah Thabit

- The US embassy has sent hearty congratulations to Nigerian Runcie Chidebe for emerging as recipient of 2020 Global Ties U.S. International Visitor Leadership Program Alumni Award for Social Innovation and Change

- The embassy shared a post on its verified Facebook page celebrating the activist for being a leading voice in cancer control

- Chidebe is set to receive his award and deliver an acceptance speech at the 2020 Global Ties U.S. National Meeting in Washington, DC

Another Nigerian Runcie Chidebe has flown the nation's flag high after emerging as the recipient of the 2020 Global Ties U.S. International Visitor Leadership Program Alumni Award for Social Innovation and Change.

In a Facebook post shared by the United States embassy, Chidebe was congratulated and described as a leading voice in making cancer control a national health priority in Nigeria. It was gathered that the brilliant man has stellar achievements including; launching training for oncology care, volunteer mentorships, establishing breast cancer support groups, and advocating for improved cancer care and mandatory health insurance.

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Chidebe who is a health advocate and civil society activist has also led campaigns to establish the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment through an act of the Nigerian Parliament and sits on several committees to ensure its implementation, as well as other programs for cancer prevention.

Chidebe is the founder and executive director of Project PINK BLUE, which advocates for improving healthcare quality and access to cancer care in Nigeria. Through Project PINK BLUE, he mobilizes over 3,000 people each year to walk in cities across Nigeria to create cancer awareness and advocate for the Nigerian government to improve cancer care and make health insurance mandatory.

Meanwhile, some Nigerian change makers have been named on the top 100 list of most influential Africans in an international magazine.

Included in the top 100 list is Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote; who was chosen in the business and finance category. Deputy secretary-general of United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed was named in the politics and public service category. Also honoured on the list is renowned author Chimamanda Adichie in the arts and culture category and chief executive of Connected Development (CODE), Hamzat Lawal, who was recognised in the civil society category.