INAUGURATION THE OF NATIONAL CANCER RESEARCH NETWORK (NCRN) The National Cancer Research Network was inaugurated on the

20th January 2011 at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR). The meeting was hosted by the Clinical Sciences Division and Co-ordinated by Dr N.N. Odunukwe; a Consultant Haematologist, Deputy Director of Research and the Head of Clinical Sciences Division NIMR. The meeting was organized for the stakeholders in cancer research and care to brainstorm on issues bordering on cancer research in Nigeria. There were representatives from 12 tertiary institutions from the 6 geo-political zones of the country as well as the National Co-ordinator of the cancer control program at the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH)-Dr Patience Osinubi. It was declared open by the DG NIMR Prof. I.A.O Ujah mni who laid emphasis on the fact that the burden of cancer in Nigeria and the rest of the developing world, especially Africa remains largely unknown due to lack of adequate statistics and under-reporting. He also noted that cancer awareness efforts and screening methods to enhance early detection do not seem to have had much impact on the nation, even though most cancers are preventable while others can be cured if detected early. He highlighted the relevance of formation of a national cancer research network (NCRN) comprising leaders in cancer care and research in the country. He also emphasized that the formation of this network is in line with the mandate of the Nigerian Institute of Medical research. This was further buttressed by the immediate past Director General of the institute Prof Oni Idigbe in his goodwill message. The goals and objectives of the NCRN were addressed which include coordinating of cancer research in Nigeria, preparing a working document for national cancer research, collaborating with all stakeholders in cancer care and research, facilitating a national policy on cancer management based on research findings, conducting trainings and capacity development in cancer care and research.

THE VISION OF NATIONAL CANCER RESEARCH NETWORK: To be the best internationally recognized cancer Research network conducting research relevant to the Nation and producing credible data. MISSION STATEMENT The National Cancer Research Network (NCRN) seeks to develop new avenues for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancers; to relieve human suffering resulting from the disease by developing high quality medical intervention programmes for patient care through collaborative interactions among research community and policy makers. Ensuring sustainability of high quality research endeavour through medical manpower capacity development. The National Cancer Research Network will strengthen the interaction between health development policy, research and practice in the nation in order to strengthen synergy between the research policy/ activities of the government and the research community. It will also enhance the use of research results by policy makers and health care worker to further curb the danger posed by cancers.

NCRN SECRETARIAT Nigerian Institute of Medical Research is the NCRN secretariat. The role of the secretariat is to provide support to the Network by taking responsibility for the technical and organizational preparation of two workshops and one conference per year. The secretariat will also take care of communications as well as the following. -

Hosting a screening centre to anchor cancer research. Serving as a central training centre for cancer research scientists. Organizing grant writing activities among the junior cancer investigating scientists Promoting and anchoring collaborative grant-writing activities among cancer research scientists for the purpose of accessing external grants. Organising stakeholders meetings between NGOs, researchers, governments and funders. Hosting a central cancer research data bank.

The following Institutions participated fully:Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria. University College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hosp. FMOH, Abuja. Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital, Kano. University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri. University of Uyo Teaching Hospital Akwa Ibom. University of Abuja Teaching Hospital. University Teaching Hospital, Jos, and Lagos University Teaching Hospital Lagos. The outcomes of the meeting were:National cancer research network was inaugurated Current issues on cancer research in Nigeria were discussed National cancer research agenda was Redefined Issues bordering on resource mobilisation for cancer research were discussed A generally acceptable Vision and Mission Statement were written Next steps for Implementation of the activities of the network in Nigeria were mapped out The role of NIMR as NCRN was generally approved. A Communiqu was developed The secretariat of the NCRN is situated in NIMR.