Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Arrive at Nigerian Defence Headquarters. The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, have landed at the Nigerian Armed Forces’ Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
Their arrival at the DHQ occurred around 12:45 pm on Friday, marking the beginning of their visit.
We earlier posted about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle To Visit Nigeria
Purpose of the Visit
The military high command had disclosed earlier that their itinerary in Nigeria would primarily revolve around engaging with the nation’s wounded and injured soldiers and their families.
Prince Harry’s decision to visit Nigeria stemmed from an invitation by the military high command following Nigeria’s participation in the 2023 Invictus Games, held in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Founded by Prince Harry in 2014, the Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event tailored for Wounded, Injured, and Sick (WIS) military personnel. It serves as a platform for support, recovery pathways, and rehabilitation post-injury.
Focus of the Visit: Invictus Games Centre
Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, the Director of Sports at Defence Headquarters, highlighted that approximately “80 per cent” of the nation’s soldiers have engaged in the recovery program and are showing improvement. The primary aim of Prince Harry’s visit is to interact with the WIS military personnel, fostering their mental health and self-esteem.
The military high command envisions hosting the Invictus Games in Nigeria. Prince Harry’s visit is anticipated to facilitate the establishment of the proposed Invictus Games Centre in Abuja, along with a collaborative effort to understand the recovery program better.
The Proposed Invictus Games Centre
According to Marquis, the envisaged center will offer comprehensive services for the management of WIS military personnel. It will include a medical center, accommodation facilities for families during the recovery process, and a sporting center.
Perspective from Invictus Games Foundation
David Wiseman, a friend of Prince Harry and a Director at the Invictus Games Foundation, emphasized the significance of the trip, stating, “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.”
Historical Context
In 2022, Meghan mentioned in her Archetype podcast that she had discovered she was “43 per cent Nigerian” after undergoing a genealogy test. During the opening ceremony of the 2023 Invictus Games in Germany, Prince Harry referenced Meghan’s podcast, acknowledging Nigeria, along with Colombia and Israel, for sending its inaugural delegation to the games for WIS military personnel.
Memorable Encounters
During the visit, Meghan was bestowed with a Nigerian title name — Amira Ngozi Lolo — with “Amira” signifying a warrior princess, “Ngozi” meaning Blessed, and “Lolo” representing a royal wife.
The Defence Headquarters expressed their pleasure in hosting the Duke and Duchess, reflecting on their engagement with Nigeria since the 2023 Invictus Games. The visit symbolizes a continued commitment to supporting the rehabilitation and well-being of WIS military personnel, fostering international collaboration, and strengthening bonds between nations.
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