Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arrived in Nigeria to promote his Invictus Games
Glamtush reports that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arrived in Nigeria for a 72-hour tour aimed at promoting his Invictus Games, a sporting event founded for wounded military veterans.
The Duke of Sussex and Duchess of Sussex visit to Nigeria comes at the invitation of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, to engage with wounded soldiers.
Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, Director of Sports at Defence Headquarters (DHQ), disclosed this on Thursday, stating that Harry, the brain behind Invictus Games, would spend three days in Nigeria, interacting with wounded soldiers and their families.
Marquis said that the visit, scheduled from May 10th to 13th, 2024, aims to support the soldiers in their recovery process, with around 80% of them participating in rehabilitation programs.
“We realised that 80% of our soldiers have been involved in this recovery programme, they are getting better. Their outlook to life is positive,” AVM Marquis said.
The royal couple arrived in Nigeria on Friday morning, just before 5 am, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Their flight was slightly delayed due to the scheduled pilot falling ill, necessitating a quick replacement.
Upon arrival, they headed to the Lightway Academy in Abuja for an event on mental health awareness, where they were greeted by students and engaged in discussions about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.
Greeted by a drum and dance group from the Igbo ethnic group, Prince Harry and Megan toured the school where they were welcomed by pupils.
“If you take anything away from today, just know that mental health affects every single person,” he told students, wearing a traditional Nigerian bead necklace around his neck. “The more you talk about it the more you can kick stigma away.”
Meghan joined the Duke of Sussex on the stage before they left for a meeting with Nigerian military commanders as part of the Invictus programme.
“It was really cool. I just wanted to touch him,” said student Nnena Edeh, 13, as the prince left the school. “It was really inspiring.”
After the school visit, Harry and Meghan met with Nigerian military commanders as part of the Invictus program.
Later, they traveled to Kaduna to meet wounded soldiers at a military hospital before returning to Abuja for further engagements.
“They will be tired after their journey, so they will rest and then the first engagement is at midday at the Defence Headquarters,” defence spokesperson Brigadier General Tukur Gusau told the Daily Mail.
“After that, they will travel to Kaduna to meet wounded soldiers at a military hospital there before returning to Abuja for other engagements.”
This marks the couple’s first joint visit to Nigeria, aimed at promoting important causes and supporting the nation’s military veterans.
