NSE And Nigerian Corporations In Race To E-race Cancer

Over a dozen corporations trooped out on a Saturday morning to support the Nigerian Stock Exchange fight against a deadly disease: cancer.

Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases. It can develop almost anywhere in the body. It is a global phenomenon which has claimed many lives over the years including those of Nigerians.

Six years ago, The Nigerian Stock Exchange came up with what it christened ‘NSE Corporate Challenge’, a 5km run where corporations and individuals run, jog and walk in a bid to “e-race the menace of cancer,” according to the bourse.

The sixth edition of the challenge held during the weekend, Saturday the 6th of July 2019. Corporates that participated in this year’s run included top Nigerian companies such as Stanbic IBTC, Dangote, Beta Glass, Transcorp, FCMB, Fidelity Bank, UBA, SACHO, AIICO Insurance, FBN Holdings, IHS Towers, Seplat, CSCS and Sterling Bank.

The day-long challenge was launched to create awareness on the early detection of cancer and also to raise funds to support the fight against cancer in Nigeria.

The race started from Muri Okunola Park in Lagos’ Victoria Island district, tracing through some of the economic capital’s most fashionable streets before it ended in the same location. At the end of the 5 kilometers race, Austin Ali from Stanbic IBTC crossed the line first to win the race for the second year running while participants from corporations like Fidelity Bank and Nigerian Breweries also crossed the line in record time.

Proceeds from the race will be channeled towards supporting cancer causes as well as create awareness against the disease. The initiative has raised over 63 million Naira since its inception with the NSE announcing that it will donate an additional N20 million to the proceeds from the run. For the first time, the NSE introduced on-site cancer screening for interested participants to facilitate early detection and provide treatment for diagnosed patients.

The race also saw Nigerian celebrities such as Waje, Ex-Big Brother Naija housemate Omololu; Funnybone and DJ Neptune among others in attendance.