Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have arrived in Abuja, Nigeria, today. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex kicked off with a tour of the Lightway Academy with the GEANCO Foundation which provides critical health care and education services in Nigeria, just after touchdown.
Harry’s Passion for Invictus Games
Their main agenda is to create awareness of mental health for young people affected by conflicts and to champion for Invictus Games. He founded Invictus Games in 2014 to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick service members and veterans.
Harry served in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter copilot gunner in 2014, after which he founded the games. The Prince wanted to create a sporting challenge for the servicemen similar to the Paralympics.
Nigeria participated in last year’s edition of the games where it welcomed 500 athletes in Germany. 21 nations were in attendance. Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, the Minister of Defense, has indicated Nigeria’s readiness to host the games if given the chance.
The couple were invited to Nigeria by its Chief of Defense Staff, the highest-ranking military official. Following their school visit, the couple will meet with the Chief of Defense Staff. In the afternoon, Harry will meet injured service members at a military hospital.
The visit follows Harry’s recent trip to the UK to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
Their tight schedule
During their stay, they will attend local basketball and volleyball matches. On Sunday, Harry and Meghan will attend a basketball clinic with Giants of Africa and a polo fundraiser for Nigeria: Unconquered.
They will also meet with local NGOs in Abuja and Lagos that are receiving support from them. Meghan will also co-host an event on women in leadership with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Meghan and Harry’s visit to Nigeria marks their first official international tour since stepping back from their royal roles in 2020.
