More than 850 participants braved the rain to support the fight against cancer at the 4th edition of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Corporate Challenge last Saturday, at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos.
The NSE Corporate Challenge is an annual, highly competitive and fun-filled 5-kilometre walk, jog and run competition designed to raise awareness and funds for the purchase of 37 Mobile Cancer Centers (MCCs), valued at $613,000 each.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, OON, said, “It’s amazing and emotional to see a lot of people turn out in the pouring rain to save lives. Cancer doesn’t care about the weather, and neither do we. This year’s event attracted over 200 partner companies who are all in massive support for the cause to tackle the cancer scourge in Nigeriaâ€.
Onyema lauded the listed companies, non-listed companies, organizations, notable Nigerians and celebrities for their continuous support for the NSE Corporate Challenge since inception. “We remained focus in one of our CSR efforts of mobilizing funds for the purchase of Mobile Cancer Centers in the country. Through this initiative, we want to provide access for early detection and treatment of cancers so that people can live to their full potentials. With your support, we believe we can save livesâ€.
The Ondo State first lady and founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), Her Excellency, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, commended the NSE for galvanizing efforts to raise awareness and mobilize funds for the purchase of Mobile Cancer screening centers, across the 36 states in the country. She called for increased investments through a public-private sector partnership that will improve the screening process for cancer in Nigeria, considering the huge costs involved.
She used the occasion to call on the Federal Government to effect policies that will attract private capital investments into the healthcare sector, to tackle diseases like cancer.
