By WILLIAM JIMOH

The Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, weekend, announced plan to host a five kilometres walk competition for 350 quoted companies in a bid to promote corporate governance, teamwork, networking and wellness of companies’ managers.

The walk tagged “Corporate Challenge” is the first of its type, organised by the Exchange in partnership with key publicly quoted companies.

Mr Bola Adeeko, Head, Corporate Services, NSE, who disclosed this, stated that the competition is open to broker dealer community and companies listed on the Nigerian bourse.

The idea behind the corporate challenge is for responsible organisations and their employees to take part in the initiative as a way of enhancing employee-employer relationship and boost goodwill by bringing all together for fun, fitness and fellowship.

According to Adeeko, “The challenge is a professionally organised and volunteer-driven initiative involving over 350 companies listed on the Exchange and support organisations from the capital market community. To achieve this aim, we are working in close partnership with public and private sector organisations such as the Lagos Island Central Business District, First Bank of Nigeria, Unilever, Unity Bank, Nestle Nigeria, Malta Guinness, among others.

“The Corporate Challenge is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the Exchange, aimed at promoting the health & wellbeing of our operating community, which will also present a platform for teamwork and networking. The initiative will enhance the concept of volunteerism within participating companies,” said Adeeko.

Mrs. Cima Sholotan, Head, CSR at NSE, added that proceeds from the competition will be donated to support the national drive aimed at providing Mobile Cancer Centres, MCCs, across Nigeria in partnership with the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, CECP.

According to her, the NSE entered into the partnership with CECP on February 25, 2013 during the commemoration of the International Corporate Philanthropy Day with the aim of ‘Taking Cancer Prevention to the Grassroots’.