| Lagos lady is in-law
to Queen Elizabeth
By AGATHA EMEADI
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
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•Mrs. Joy
Lascelles
Photo: Sun News Publishing |
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An encounter with this woman is simply exciting. She is the
Hon. Mrs. Joy Lascelles, an established film, television,
theatre and radio actress.
She lived the better part of her life in England where she
met and married her childhood friend, Hon. James Lascelles.
She talks happily about her husband, describing him as her
best friend. She goes down memory lane recalling some memorable
moments spent with the trained pianist. "I have known
him since I was very young, I did not marry a man I just met
like that, rather I married my best friend."
Lascelles went to England at a very tender age, visiting home
whenever she was on holidays. "I studied there and chose
Arts. My family has a lot of doctors and lawyers, so when
I opted for Arts, I had my way."
You wonder if the mother of four contested any election into
the House which gave her the title, ‘Honourable.’
She smiles and replies thus: "I am married into the royal
family, Queen Elizabeth is my sister-in-law." That automatically
gave me the title ‘Honourable.’
Born into the Elias family of Isale-Eko in Lagos State, the
dark lady takes you into some details about her privileged
family background. Her father is a pediatrician, her late
mother was a lawyer and that also influenced her positively.
Lascelles herself is a qualified teacher, an experienced translator,
a writer, producer and performer.
With this level of empowerment, she is a woman that exudes
great confidence. As you listen to her experiences, you discover
a woman that is highly polished and has an edge with her British
training. In association with her husband and the ‘REGENERATE,’
Lascelles works on a charity organisation created to help
disaffected young people to empower themselves and their communities.
The Nigerian daughter-in-law of The Rt. Hon. Earl of Harewood,
KBE, who is the co-patron of Pan African Health Foundation
(PAHF) is working very hard to reduce HIV/AIDS, child hunger,
malaria, TB and other related diseases in Africa.
The mother of four continues: "Well, I am a Nigerian,
married to a Briton, these are two countries that have strong
cultural values. My family is willing to assist my country
in their own little way. It is what all of us should join
hands together and achieve for our own good."
The Lascelles were recently in Nigeria during the launch of
CATWALK THE WORLD: Fashion for Food organised by the Stop
Child Hunger ambassador and international fashion designer,
Deola Sagoe, to champion the course of PAHF.
You ask the eloquent lady what PAHF is all about? She replies:
"PAHF is an international private initiative formed to
help ease Africa’s heavy disease burden. The mission
of PAHF is to reduce Africa’s burden of HIV/AIDS, malaria
and tuberculosis TB, by implementing long term solutions to
improve availability of vital medical supplies. PAHF believes
that improving the availability will increase the use of vital
medical supplies and can significantly reduce the incidence
of these diseases. It is in contrast to the traditional AIDS
programme that rely solely on donations from abroad, PAHF
works to make it possible for African societies to produce
their own much needed supplies."
Talking passionately about PAHF, Lascelles whose Yoruba accent
has not been tampered with, adds that the organisation is
different from other NGOs because its unique strategy centres
around construction and operation. It is also on a not-for-profit
basis.
How is PAHF being funded? "President Olusegun Obasanjo
who is the patron has been helpful. The Rivers State government,
under the leadership of Peter Odili has given valuable support
to PAHF with the provision of a four-hectare plot of land
for the Auto-Disable syringe factory, which is currently underway
with expected completion by the end of 2006. Support has also
come from international companies and organisations."
PAHF was founded in 2003 and currently operates in the United
States, United Kingdom and Nigeria. It is registered in England
and Wales.
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