MUSIC STARS SHINE AT LAGOS STOCK EXCHANGE… AS THE BIG WAR AGAINST CANCER GATHERS STEAM

The trading floor of the Lagos Stock Exchange was in a different mood on Monday, February 24 as the stars of the music industry came visiting and flash bulbs of diverse cameras exploded left and right.

The stars were led by Chief Tony Okoroji, former President of PMAN and Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON). They had come to the hub of Nigeria's capital market, to participate in a special bell ringing ceremony. Accompanying Chief Okoroji to the Exchange, located in one of the tallest buildings in Lagos, were the likes of popular singers, Sound Sultan; Queen of love, Azeezat Allen and entertainment manager extraordinaire, Tony Anifite, popularly known as Don T. Also in the team was COSON's Head of New Media, Miss Mayree Uket.

The special bell ringing ceremony was to commemorate International Corporate Philanthropy Day and to rally interest groups in the Nigerian capital market for full participation in the Big War Against Cancer in Nigeria flagged off on February 4 in Lagos by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) Nigeria.

Prominent at the bell ringing ceremony was Mrs Tutu Adeleke, the convener of CECP Nigeria and the first woman in Nigeria to head a quoted company. Other key participants at the ceremony were Mr. Yusuf Muda, Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI); Mr. Sola Obadimu, Director, Capacity Building of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM); Mr. Timothy Olawale, Director & Head of Social, Economic and Labour Affairs of the Nigerian Employers' Consultative Association (NECA); Dr. Kin J-Egwuonwu, National Coordinator, National Cancer Prevention Programme (NCPP) and Technical Coordinator, CECP-Nigeria and Dr. Abia Nzelu, Executive Secretary, CECP-Nigeria.

Before the bell ringing ceremony, the management of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) had assured the CECP delegation of the full identification of the NSE with the objectives of the Big War Against Cancer in Nigeria. The management promised to mobilize the stakeholders in the capital market to comprehensively support the war.

Following the bell ringing ceremony, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji informed the media that Nigeria's biggest benefit concert ever, the Concert of Stars against Cancer will hold on Sunday, June 8 at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos. According to Chief Okoroji, the concert will bring together a galaxy of the nation's brightest stars, Nigeria's corporate titans and the biggest brands in the land as the Big War Against Cancer in Nigeria is fully declared and concrete efforts made to bring 37 mobile cancer centres into Nigeria to ensure early detection of the disease and treatment across the nation. In the words of Okoroji, 'the historic concert will mark the crescendo in a special week dedicated to tackling the cancer scourge which is killing ten Nigerians every one hour. The week will begin on Sunday, June 1 with church services across Nigeria dedicated to dealing with the disease. Special Jumat services are also planned for Friday, June 6'.

COSON, several of the nation's leading religious organizations and Hotel and Personal Services Employers Association of Nigeria (HOPESEA) are partnering with CECP and its co-promoters: Institute of Directors (IoD), Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (NACCIMA), Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in the effort to acquire thirty-seven (37) Mobile Cancer Centres (MCCs), one for each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The MCCs will facilitate a nation-wide cancer screening/treatment campaign so that every Nigerian can have a fighting chance in the battle against cancer.

A mobile cancer centre is a clinic on wheels, in which screening, follow-up and several forms of treatment (including surgeries), can take place. It includes facilities for mammography, colonoscopy, colposcopy, cryotherapy, and sonology as well as laboratory and operating theatre.The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has created a unique short code for those who want to contribute to this effort. By texting “CANCER” or any other chosen word to ''44777”, a person can contribute N100/sms towards this cause. Interswitch Limited has also established a code - “777526” - for donations via ATM or online at www.quickteller.com. Every right thinking Nigerian is today urged to contribute to this cause which might save our lives or the lives of some people we love dearly. COSON requests that we all encourage our friends and family members to contribute.