Nigerians from all walks of life recently joined the staff and management of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in a 5km race in commemoration of the 2019 NSE Corporate Challenge, an annual competitive and fun-filled race designed to raise awareness on the importance of early detection and to raise funds towards supporting cancer-related causes as the NSE pledged N20 million in support of initiatives to combat the disease in Nigeria.
“Cancer is a resilient attacker and we must be undeterred in our quest to erase the disease. Cancer related deaths in Nigeria are 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 burden.
“According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 116,000 new cases of cancer and 41,000 cancer-related deaths were recorded in Nigeria in 2018. However, there is hope that one day, using our God-given intellect, science will give us the eureka moment by finding a lasting cure for cancer,” said Oscar Onyema, the chief executive officer of the NSE.
Cancer is a terminal disease that causes abnormal cells to divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue. Genetic changes that cause cancer can be transmitted from parents to children. They can also arise as a result of errors that occur as cells divide, or due to damage to DNA caused by certain environmental exposures.
However, cancer-causing environmental exposures could include chemicals in tobacco smoke and radiation, such as ultraviolet rays from the sun.
The World Health Organization (WHO), in a 2014 study identified the mortality rate among Nigerian males to be 31.7percent for prostate cancer and 34.2percent among females for breast cancer.
The NSE Corporate Challenge attracted about 2,400 runners from over 340 institutions, comprising c-suite level executives, top government officials and celebrities. So far, about N63 million has been raised through support from sponsors.
The 5km race which kicked off at Muri Okunola Park Victoria Island, Lagos is aimed at calling attention to the importance of good lifestyle, early detection and practical intervention programmes to help sufferers.
The race witnessed a large turnout of professionals from diverse financial and business institutions, as well as a number of Nigerian celebrities including race ambassadors Kate Henshaw, Waje and Omololu.
Other previous race ambassadors include Ali Baba, MI Abaga, Burna Boy, Seyi Shay, Dolapo Oni-Sijuwade, Gideon Okeke, Debola Williams, Tina Mba, Simisola and Yung6ix, Kemi Afolabi, Titi-the-Dynamite, Ikechukwu, Immaculate Dache, Monica Ogah, and Arole The Prophet amongst others all of whom have committed to working with the NSE to eradicate cancer.
SEYI JOHN SALAU
