- NSE Seeks Financial Support for Mobile Cancer Centres
The Nigerian Stock Exchange has called on individuals and organisations to financially support the purchase of mobile cancer units.
The Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Oscar Onyema, who was represented by the Executive Director, Regulation, NSE, Tinuade Awe, at the 5th NSE Corporate Challenge in Lagos on Saturday, said N57m (net of expenses) had been saved up towards the project.
“We have some way to go to purchase the first mobile cancer unit but we believe with the continued support of individuals like you and our sponsors, we can make this dream happen soon,” Onyema said.
According to him, the NSE Corporate Challenge, which started in 2014, was birthed to stimulate additional awareness about cancer, advocate the importance of early testing/detection and raise funds towards the purchase of mobile cancer centres to provide free screening and treatment in Nigeria.
He said, “Cancer epidemic in Nigeria is huge and is set to rise if urgent actions are not taken to raise awareness about early detection of the disease and to develop practical strategies to address the increasing cancer burden.
“Data from the ‘Rapid Assessment of the Prevention and Control of Cancer in Nigeria’ report by the Wellbeing Foundation Africa shows that cancer is responsible for 72,000 deaths in Nigeria every year, with an estimated 102,000 new cases annually.
“The corporate challenge race was conceptualised as a one-day competitive and fun-filled, five-kilometre walk, jog and run event. As is our tradition, we have made adequate preparations to ensure that people enjoy the event.”
Onyema added that the NSE Corporate Challenge had been highly successful, recording more than 2,035 runners from over 306 institutions, comprising C-suite level executives, top government officials and celebrities.
He noted that celebrities such as Ali Baba, MI Abaga, Burna Boy, Seyi Shay, Dolapo Oni-Sijuwade, Gideon Okeke, Debola Williams, Tina Mba, Simisola and Yung6ix, had thrown their weight behind the campaign to e-race cancer in Nigeria.
