By The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have begun their 72-hour tour of Nigeria, with their first engagement taking place at the Wuse Lightway Academy in Abuja.
The school, supported by the couple’s Archewell Foundation, welcomed the royal couple just hours after their arrival in the early hours of the morning.
During his interaction with the pupils, Prince Harry addressed the importance of mental health, drawing from his personal experience of losing his mother, Princess Diana, when he was just 12 years old.
He emphasized that there is no shame in acknowledging a bad day and encouraged the children to open up about their feelings, whether it be sadness, stress, or grief.
The couple’s visit to Nigeria is centered around promoting the Invictus Games and showing support for wounded soldiers and their families.
Nigerian defense spokesman Brigadier General Tukur Gusau confirmed that the Sussexes will be meeting with injured service members to improve their morale and well-being.
Abidemi Marquis, the director of sports at Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters, highlighted the significance of the Invictus Games in aiding the recovery of Nigerian soldiers, stating that “80 percent of our soldiers that have been involved in this recovery program are getting better, and their outlook to life is positive.”
The royal couple’s itinerary, as revealed by the Defense Headquarters, includes a visit to a school and a meeting with injured service members at a military hospital in Kaduna.
They will also attend a training session for the charity organization Nigeria: Unconquered, which collaborates with the Invictus Games, as well as a reception honoring military families.
Meghan Markle is set to co-host an event on Women in Leadership with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organisation.
The Duchess’ visit to Nigeria also holds personal significance, as she recently discovered her Nigerian ancestry, describing herself as “43 percent Nigerian.”
On Sunday, the couple will travel to Lagos for the second part of their visit, where they will attend a basketball camp with the charity Giants of Africa, a cultural reception, and a polo fundraiser for Nigeria: Unconquered.
The visit to Nigeria follows Prince Harry’s recent trip to London, where he celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The Invictus Games, founded by the Duke, is a sporting event for injured and sick military personnel and veterans, offering them the challenge of competing in sports events similar to the Paralympics.
As the royal couple continues their tour of Nigeria, their focus on mental health, support for wounded soldiers, and the promotion of the Invictus Games highlights their commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those who have served their country.
