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abuja, nigeria
CNN
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Nigeria on Friday to begin a three-day private visit to the West African country, where they will meet wounded soldiers and visit local charities, officials said.
Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, Director of Sports at Nigeria's Defense Headquarters, said at a press conference on Thursday that the Sussexes are visiting Nigeria because the country is now “part of the Invictus community.”
Their first interaction was at an event held at a school in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, where Meghan told students:
Outside Wrightway Academy, students patiently lined up with a troupe of dancers to welcome the royal couple. They were there to kick off a two-day mental health summit run by the GEANCO Foundation, which supports girls and young women across the country through sanitary products and education.
“It's such an honor to be with you. We have to admit those amazing dance moves! My husband was so excited he was jumping up and down!” Meghan cheered in the school hall He told the students as they raised their heads.
Harry then joined the conversation, asking children what they knew about mental health and reminding them to take care of themselves and each other.
“Can you promise me that after today, you will never be afraid or worry about your mental health again? If you are unsure, ask questions. Ask your teacher. Ask your friends. Ask each other. Be there for,” he said.
Cora Slimon/AFP/Getty Images
The two meet children during their visit.
“What would you do if you saw a friend in your class not smiling?” Are you going to check in on them? Should I ask him if he's okay? He's okay with not being okay. ”
On their departure, the couple were given traditional wooden masks and a book about their Nigerian heritage. “You have to read these now,” the Duchess added.
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan were invited to Nigeria by Chief of Defense Staff Christopher Musa, the country's most senior military official. He formally welcomed their visit to Nigeria at a meeting held at the National Defense Headquarters in central Abuja on Friday lunchtime.
The Duke expressed his gratitude to his host nation and praised Nigeria for recognizing the power of sport in the rehabilitation process of injured people.
“You are not the first country to realize that it not only changes lives, it saves lives. Thank you to everyone who joined the Invictus Movement for Nigeria and for defending Nigeria’s freedom. “We are forever grateful to all the souls hurt,” he said.
The marquis said the duchess was keen to accompany her husband on the visit “as part of our lineage and tradition”. Meghan revealed in 2022 that her family tree test revealed she was 43% Nigerian.
The visit to Nigeria caused a wave of excitement among the nation when it was announced two weeks ago.
Oyeyemi Adelibigbe, 38, a Lagos-based lawyer, told CNN: Duchess Meghan was my favorite character in the “Suits” series. I love that she has spent so much time using her own voice for good and openly sharing her own experiences. ”
“Together, they are using their influence to advance causes that democratize opportunity and advantage underrepresented groups. Meet them at an event that brings together young people in Nigerian politics ” she added.
Entrepreneur Ife Durosinmi-Etty expressed her joy that Meghan has “come to a place where she is absolutely loved and welcomed.”
“When I found out she was from Nigeria, I was giddy because Nigerian women are smart, resilient, versatile and go after what they want. I thought, 'Oh, yeah, there's a Nigerian spirit in her,''' the 35-year-old said.
This is the Sussexes' first trip as a couple to Nigeria, where they will heavily promote Invictus as well as the themes of mental health and women's empowerment.
After a quick visit to London, Prince Harry flew to Abuja, where he attended events to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, a Paralympic-style event for disabled, military and veterans.
Meghan has flown in from Los Angeles and they have a busy schedule together, including visits to military rehabilitation centers and local organizations dedicated to supporting the welfare of veterans.
On Saturday, the duke will join injured veterans in a game of sitting volleyball, after which his wife will co-host a women's leadership event with World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The royal couple will not meet with Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu as it is considered a private visit. However, he is expected to meet with the governors of Lagos and Kaduna states.
Sunday Aramba/AP
The couple was visiting the country at the invitation of Nigeria's National Defense Headquarters, which expressed its “honor and pleasure” in responding.
British High Commissioner to Nigeria Richard Montgomery told local media there would be no talks with Nigerian leaders because “they are visiting in a private capacity, not an official capacity”.
Nigeria's military personnel face serious challenges, especially as the country has been battling the Boko Haram insurgency since 2009. On Friday, Moussa spoke to the couple in more detail about some of the issues the military is tackling, including terrorism and crime, adding that IEDs pose their “biggest challenge”.
In response, the duke said he was looking forward to visiting a hospital supporting military personnel in the country's northern city of Kaduna.
The couple's hosts, the Nigerian Defense Headquarters, are keen to further their involvement in the Invictus Games and become part of the wider Invictus community.
Recalling the recent games held in Germany last year, where Nigeria became the first African nation to take part, Harry recalled: “The team that assembled in Düsseldorf was small but strong. They entered the stage dancing. They won medals and danced off the stage. They were the life and soul of those games. Our goal now is to help you grow that team and provide as many opportunities and resources as possible for the games here in Nigeria and early next year.”
Marquis said participating in the Invictus Games recovery program has boosted the morale of Nigerian soldiers and that Nigeria has expressed interest in hosting the biennial Games.
It added: “80% of soldiers who participated in these recovery programs said they had a better outlook on life and had the opportunity to improve their self-esteem and mental health.”
Corporal Nigeria team captain Effiom Antiga told CNN last year that the game gave him a new lease on life. “Until now, I never thought I would be able to participate in these sporting activities. The Invictus Foundation has helped me grow physically and mentally.”