Ministry, Diana Group to Feed About 100,000 Children

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, in collaboration with Diana Legacy Children Choir (DLCC61), plans to provide food for 97,000 underprivileged children.

The feeding is aimed at marking Princess Diana’s Day scheduled for July 1.

Supreme reports that late Princess Diana was born on July 1, 1961 and died on Aug. 31, 1997 at the age of 36.

Diana will be commemorated by her sons, Princes William and Harry, on the event of her 60th birthday anniversary on July 1.

She used her celebrity status to aid numerous charitable causes, supporting causes as diverse as the arts, children’s issues and AIDS patients during her lifetime.

She often visited hospitals, homeless shelters and orphanages alongside her children to acquaint them with the world outside royal privilege.

Diana’s compassion, personal warmth, humility and accessibility earned her the sobriquet “the People’s Princess’’.

Sadiya Farouq, the Humanitarian Affairs Minister, explained on Tuesday in Abuja that the event was part of the ministry’s collaborative efforts aimed at ensuring effective provision and coordination of humanitarian interventions in Nigeria.

She said that the ministry was happy to collaborate with DLCC16 and look forward to more partnerships with other organisations on humanitarian endeavours.

“As a ministry, we are committed to developing humanitarian policies, providing effective coordination for national and international humanitarian programmes as well as interventions such as this in the country.

“We are, indeed very excited to collaborate with DLCC61 on this lofty project.

“We also extend further relationships to work with organisations who are committed to humanitarian services, including online and offline media organiations as partners for a wider and global reach,’’ Farouq said.

Nonso Uchendu, the Co-convener/Creative Director, DLCC61 also confirmed that the July 1 was in collaboration with the ministry and other sponsors like EFAB Group.

Others sponsors, according to him, are Heritage Africa and the Late Maryam Babangida’s Better Life Programme.

Uchendu said that the provision of 97,000 meals for the less privileged children was a way of connecting with Princess Diana’s legacy.

“We are determined to connect with Princess Diana’s legacy on humanitarian services, love for children, helping the poor and also to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic around the world.

“We are joining Princes William and Harry to commemorate Diana’s 60th birthday anniversary on July 1.

“We will also use the event to pay tribute to the COVID-19 dead around the world,’’ he said.

He noted that the DLCC61 had a team of consultants with UK education and work experience, talented and vibrant minds from diverse backgrounds.

According to him, they are dedicated to serving humanity with creative programmes and initiatives that continue to inspire lives around the world.

“Our aim is to use the DLCC61 platform to create global awareness for people across the world to pay tribute to millions of lives lost to the COVID-19 pandemic by observing a seven minutes silence of lights and symphony by 7.00 p.m. on July 1.

“The DLCC61, which consists of a 61 children choir drawn from across the country and directed by popular Nigerian musician, Age Beeka will also perform live/online via live streaming during the event.’’

The programme is scheduled to hold at the Heritage Africa Village Square by NAF Centre, Abuja.