Why Prince Harry, Meghan Markle visit Nigeria

THE Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex have arrived at the Nigerian Armed Forces’ Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

The Duke and Duchess arrived the DHQ at about 12:45 pm on Friday.

The military high command had on Thursday revealed that their visit to Nigeria will focus on engaging with the nation’s wounded and injured soldiers and their families.

Prince Harry’s decision to visit Nigeria followed an invite by the military high command following the nation’s debut appearance at the 2023 Invictus Games, held in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry In 2014 is an international multi-sport event for Wounded, Injured and Sick military personnel that offers support, recovery pathways and rehabilitation for the personnel, post-injury.

According to the Director of Sports, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal, Abidemi Marquis, “80 per cent” of the nation’s soldiers have been involved in the recovery programme and “are doing better”.

“The focal point of the visit is for the wounded and injured soldiers as a result of our engagement in counterterrorism operations,” Marquis said, noting that part of his visit would entail interacting with the WIS military personnel which will in turn boost their mental health and self-esteem.

The military high command also hopes to host the Invictus Games in Nigeria and believes that Prince Harry’s visit will facilitate the establishment of the proposed Invictus Games Centre in Abuja, and a collaborative effort with the Foundation to gain knowledge of the recovery programme.

This centre according to Marquis, will be built and equipped to provide a holistic service for the management of the WIS military personnel.

The proposed centre, according to him would also accommodate a medical centre and a mini hotel for their families during the recovery programme. It is also designed to accommodate a sporting centre.

Speaking to journalists earlier, Prince Harry’s friend and Director at the Invictus Games Foundation, David Wiseman commented on the significance of the trip.

Wiseman said, “We’re going over to Nigeria over the next few days and we’re going over to see the progress that’s being made with regards to establishing and developing sports recovery in that nation and celebrating that incredible progress that they have been made.”

The DHQ expressed its delight to host the Duke, and his wife, Meghan who in 2022, told listeners to her Archetype podcast that she was “43 per cent Nigerian” after doing a genealogy test.

Interestingly, at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Invictus Games in Germany, Prince Harry referred to the podcast as he hailed Nigeria along with Colombia and Israel for sending its first delegation to the games for WIS military personnel.

Meghan was seen seated near the Nigeria team whom she previously revealed she was supporting. The Sussexes later met the members of the team, and both were presented with a plaque from the nation’s military high command.

Meghan was given a Nigerian title name — Amira Ngozi Lolo — Amira meaning a warrior princess — Ngozi meaning Blessed and Lolo, a royal wife.