,The Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) donated N20million to support the early detection and treatment of cancer in the country.
This statement was disclosed by the Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema, OON, at the 6th edition of the Corporate Challenge in held in Lagos recently.
The Campaign, “eRaceCancer” Onyema said since its inception in 2014 over 2,000 people have participated in the annual event.
He said the 5km competitive race, jog and walk event served as a platform to mobilize efforts to support the purchase of Mobile Cancer Clinics and create more awareness for the prevention of the disease.
“Cancer-related deaths in Nigeria are set to rise if urgent action are not taken to raise awareness about early detection of the disease and to develop practical strategies to address the increasing burden. Such is the idea that inspired the NSE Corporate Challenge in 2014. The NSE Corporate Challenge has adopted exercise as a vehicle to drive its cancer awareness initiative and further stress the need for regular exercise and overall healthy living as ways to reduce the risk of cancer”.
Speaking further, Onyema, lauded the Ambassadors of the NSE Corporate Challenge namely; Alibaba Akpobome, Kate Henshaw, Waje, Burna Boy, MI Abaga, Gideon Okeke, Wole Arole, Simi, Sheyi Shay, amongst others.
“Over N68million has been raised from the Corporate Challenge to support the efforts of addressing the cancer scourge in Nigeria.” Onyema explains.
At the end of the race Austin Ani of Stanbic IBTC emerged the overall winner, while Paul Alabi of Aluko & Oyebode Law Firm and Aliyu Lukman of Fidelity Bank Plc came second and third respectively.
Adaobi Anikwe of The Nigerian Stock Exchange, emerged the winner for the Female category, while Mr Rene Gabriel of Nigerian Breweries Plc emerged the winner of the Senior Citizen category for runners aged 50 and above
Also, as a plus, the event featured free cancer-screening tests for participants provided by partner medical service firms for the corporate challenge.
The event featured dignitaries and corporate leaders including; Mr Yinka Sanni, CEO Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mr Demola Sogunle, CEO Stanbic IBTC Nigeria , Mr Ike Chioke, CEO Afrinvest and Mr Danladi Verheijen , CEO Verod Capital.
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