Tag: Prince Harry

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and his wife, Meghan arrived in Nigeria to champion discussions around Nigeria’s possibility of hosting the Invictus Games.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex landed in the most populous African country on Friday, May 10, after boarding the British Airways overnight flight to Abuja, according to Charlie Gipson, their spokesperson.

Their three-day visit to Nigeria ended with a visit to Lagos on Sunday, May 12, where they were welcomed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Here’s everything you need to know about their visit:

1. Their visit to Nigeria was a private one connected with Harry’s role as founder and patron of the Invictus Games, the visit is not an official royal tour.

2. Harry and Meghan’s first day in Nigeria beginning in the capital city of Abuja sees the couple take part in a quiet welcome ceremony, a school visit, a meeting with the chief of defence staff, General Christopher Musa, and a visit to sick and wounded servicemen at a military hospital.

3. On the first day of their visit the couple also visited wounded soldiers in Kaduna.

4. On the second day of their trip, Harry and Meghan visited the Nigeria: Unconquered organization where they met the staff who oversee and organize the country’s participation in the Invictus Games.

5. The couple also participated in a seated volleyball match with Army veterans in an event organised by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa.

Read Also: Sanwo-olu receives Prince Harry, Meghan

6. Meghan was on the panel of a “Women in Leadership” event organised by the director general of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

7. On the third day of their visit, Harry and Meghan met in Lagos with the governor of the State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in addition to a cultural reception and other events.

8. As part of their tour to Nigeria, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex have both arrived at the Ilupeju Junior Grammar School to grace a basketball clinic under the auspices of the Masai Ujiri’s Giants of Africa Foundation.

The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry and wife, Meghan, who had a volleyball match with Nigerian Army veterans, met with Nigerian businessman,  Dr Uzochukwu Stanley on Saturday.

The couple are in Nigeria on a three-day visit to promote his Invictus Games where Prince Harry played a seated volleyball match with army veterans, most wounded in battle against the country’s insurgency on Saturday.

At an officer’s mess complex in Abuja, Harry’s team dressed in yellow played off in an exhibition against a team led by Nigeria’s chief of defence staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, the country’s top commander.

The Sussex and the Duchess, in the West African nation, Nigeria for the first time on the invitation of its military, began their three-day visit by going to the Lightway Academy school which receives support from their Archewell foundation to train young girls affected by conflicts in Nigeria, before going on to meet with the nation’s military officers.

At the Abuja school where they kicked off an inaugural mental health summit organized by local non-profit GEANCO, which partners with their foundation, the couple were received by a dancing troupe and a crowd of excited students and teachers.

“We’ve got to acknowledge those amazing dance moves!” Meghan said. “My husband was excited to jump up!” Meghan said.

They went into the classrooms to interact with the children, who showed robot cars they had built.

They spoke to the students about mental health, and about their own children, Archie and Lilibet.

“In some cases around the world … there is a stigma when it comes to mental health. Too many people don’t want to talk about it,” Harry said. “So will you promise to us that after today, no more being scared, no more being unsure of mental health?”

Meghan praised her husband’s openness.

“You see why I’m married to him?” she said of Harry amid cheers, before urging the schoolchildren to never be ashamed of their experiences in life.

 “It is a complete honor to have our first visit to Nigeria; be here with all of you. We believe in you. We believe in your future,” she said.

Student Nnenna Okorie couldn’t hide her excitement at meeting the couple. 

“She is the prettiest human being ever,” said Okorie, a senior student at the school. “I admire her so much and then Harry. I love how he is so supportive,” she said.

The couple then went to Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters where they were received by servicemen and their wives before going into a private meeting with Nigeria’s chief of defense staff, Gen. Christopher Musa.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the happiness of his men remains paramount to him in discharging his responsibilities as defence chief.

Musa expressed this view while addressing newsmen on Saturday during the novelty volleyball match in honour of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, who are on private visit to Nigeria on the invitation of the CDS.

He said it was his desire to celebrate the wounded soldiers and veterans that prompted the invitation of the royal prince to come to Nigeria and celebrate with the injured veterans.

According to him, it is a great privilege and honour and it shows that people all over the world understand what it is to sacrifice for one’s nation.

“These guys have given everything they have just to make sure that Nigeria remains one.

“These individuals have families and people that depend on them but we will never allow the situation they are in, to keep them out.

“That is why, for me particularly, it is very important for the morale of my men.

“For me, I cannot function if my men are not happy and I will do whatever it takes for me to make sure that they are happy.

“That is why we are acknowledging what they have done and we are commending them and we appreciate the sacrifices they are making,” he said.

The defence chief  said the Nigerian armed forces was committed to investing in Invitus game which commenced in 2014, adding he was wondering why Nigeria delayed in taking part in the game.

He promised that the Nigerian team would go all the way to build up the capacity of the personnel to be able to continue to win laurel for Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that visitor, Prince Harry interacted members of his Invictus Foundation and urged them to keep up the good work.

He also cheered up the injured soldiers and veterans who participated in the novelty game.

NAN recalls that the visitors had on arrival on Friday had a closed door meeting with the CDS after a visit to a school in Wuse Abuja.

They later proceeded to 44 Army Reference Hospital Kaduna where they interacted with wounded soldiers who are currently receiving treatment.

At Kaduna, they also met with Gov. Uba Sani and top government functionaries.
(NAN) 

The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, on Friday paid a visit to Kaduna to check on Nigerian Troops wounded across various theaters of operations receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital.

Prince Harry, who was warmly welcomed at the Kashim Ibrahim House by Kaduna Governor, Uba Sani, said his visit was to further boost the morale of the wounded soldiers.

Read Also: Prince Harry visits wounded soldiers in Kaduna

The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, on Friday paid a visit to Kaduna to check on Nigerian Troops wounded across various theaters of operations receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital.

Prince Harry, who was warmly welcomed at the Kashim Ibrahim House by Kaduna Governor, Uba Sani, said his visit was to further boost the morale of the wounded soldiers.

He said reports he earlier received from the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, indicated the Invictus Games, an initiative of the Prince, brought joy to injured troops from Nigeria.

Prince Harry mentioned that participating in the Invictus Games had a positive impact on the morale of wounded troops, restoring smiles to their faces.

He however stressed the imperative of boosting the spirits of the soldiers and ensuring that despite their injuries, their lives are not over.

He emphasised the role of sports and the support their families receive in the rehabilitation of the soldiers.

Sani expressed gratitude for Prince Harry’s visit, recognizing it as a testament to his dedication to inspiring recovery, aiding rehabilitation, and honoring the courageous troops.

According to the Governor: “Your visit reminds us of another happy event 68 years ago, when Queen Elizabeth II, your grandmother, was welcomed to Kaduna on 2nd February, 1956, by our revered leader, the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello (of blessed memory).

“You are a symbol of courage, perseverance, compassion, and the oneness of humanity. I commend you for your selfless service to the United Kingdom and humanity. You made your mark in the United Kingdom’s Airforce, attaining the rank of Captain. Despite your privileged upbringing and position in the Royal Family, you opted to go to the battlefield in the service of your country. You are an inspiration to the youths and an epitome of patriotism.

“I also salute you for your exemplary activism in the area of wildlife conservation, especially in Africa. You also helped found a Charity for children in Lesotho. In sports, you founded the Invictus Games, an international sporting competition for injured and sick veterans and service people. Your life-long pursuit of good causes aligns with my own life – long activism for improvement in the conditions of the poor, vulnerable and underserved in our society.

“Nigeria and the United Kingdom have had long standing relationship. In the forging of Nigeria – British relations, Kaduna hosted some of the most prominent political and administrative officers from colonial times to the attainment of Nigeria’s independence in 1960. The first British Governor of Northern Nigeria, Sir Frederick Lugard chose to operate from Kaduna due to its proximity to the Lagos – Kano Railway. Kaduna became the capital of former Northern Nigeria in 1917. To date, Kaduna remains the political and cultural capital of Northern Nigeria. 

“From housing the West African Frontier Force during colonial times, Kaduna is now home to the Premier Division of the Nigerian Army, 1 Division, and the Premier Base of the Nigerian Air Force, where you landed. It also houses the Nigerian Defence Academy, the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, the Nigerian Navy School of Armament Technology and many other notable military institutions.

“I wish to specially thank you for identifying with the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and for your commitment to inspiring and supporting our troops. Your visit will definitely lift the spirits of our brave and resilient officers and men and women of the Armed Forces.”

Prince Harry thereafter visited the wounded soldiers at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital where he interacted with them in company of top military officers from the Nigerian Defence Headquarters.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan have departed to Kaduna to interact with wounded soldiers.

The couple left after spending a few minutes at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

The royal couple are in Nigeria for a 3-day private visit on the invitation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa.

The Duke and the CDS declined to speak with the newsmen before departing for Kaduna.

The visit revolves around the Invictus Games, an international adaptive sports competition for wounded servicemen, women, and veterans, which Prince Harry established in 2014.

Read Also: JUST IN: Prince Harry, Meghan arrive Nigeria

The Duke and Duchess have on arrival in Abuja on Friday, visited the Light Academy in Wuse called Light AcademyAbuja, an institution supported by the Archewell Foundation.

On arrival, they were received by the wives of military officers led by the President, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Oghogho Musa, and top officers of the Nigerian military.

The visitors are currently in a closed-door meeting with the defence chief after which they will embark on visit to the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna to interact with the wounded and injured soldiers.

Other activities lined up for a visit according to the director of Sports, Defence Headquarters, and AVM Abidemi Marquis, include a novelty volleyball match to be completed by the CDS Invictus Team and Duke’s Team on Saturday.

According to the itinerary of the visit, the Duke is expected to hold strategic meetings as well as a visit to Lagos on Sunday before departing on Sunday.