By Aliyu DANLADI
The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has raised the sum of N57.36 million in four years for the purchase of Mobile Cancer Centres (MCCs) through its Corporate Challenge initiative.
NSE Head, Shares Services Division, Mr Bola Adeeko, , said in a statement on Monday in Lagos.
The NSE Corporate Challenge which started in 2014, is a one-day competitive and fun-filled five kilometres walk, jog and run event, primarily designed to raise awareness on early detection and funds to support the fight against cancer in Nigeria.
Adeeko said the exchange had been at the forefront of cancer awareness and advocacy for the provision of screening and treatment facilities.
“Our commitment is unwavering, as we will continue to use the NSE Corporate Challenge platform to create awareness and raise funds to win the race to erase cancer.
“This deliberate intervention is imperative because of the statistics of life claimed by cancer and the fact that one third of these cancers are actually treatable.
“By leveraging our access to a vast network of employees and clients of our listed companies, dealing members and other stakeholders, we believe we can work together in scaling up access to cancer screening services.
“The aim is to ensure early detection of cancer and provision of treatment and palliative care services to diagnosed patients,” he said.
According to him, cancer epidemic in Nigeria is huge and is set to rise if urgent actions are not taken to raise awareness about the disease and to develop practical strategies to address the increasing cancer burden.
He said data from the ‘Rapid Assessment of the Prevention and Control of Cancer in Nigeria’ report by the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), showed that cancer was responsible for 72,000 deaths in Nigeria, with an estimated 102,000 new cases annually.
Adeeko said the fifth edition of the annual NSE Corporate Challenge scheduled for Lagos on Sept. 15 at the Muri Okunola Park, Adeyemo Alakija Street, Victoria Island, was open for registration.
He said “this year’s event will bring together participants from listed and non-listed companies, dealing member firms, non-commercial organisations such as Federal, State and Local Governments, and Quasi-Governmental among others to support the fight against cancer.
