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NIGERIA – The Duke and Duchess of Sussex landed in Nigeria on Friday, launching a three-day private visit to the West African nation, where they will meet with wounded soldiers and visit local charities, officials said.
Prince Harry and Meghan were invited to Nigeria by the chief of defense staff, Christopher Musa, the country’s highest-ranking military official.
He formally welcomed them to Nigeria at a meeting Friday lunchtime at the defense headquarters in the heart of Abuja, according to a CNN report.
The duke expressed gratitude to their hosts, commending Nigeria for recognizing the power of sport in the rehabilitation process for the injured or wounded.
“You’re not the first country to notice that it not only transforms lives but saves lives. I’m eternally grateful to you all of you for joining the Invictus movement for Nigeria and for every single soul who’s been injured protecting the freedoms of Nigeria,” he said.
The Sussexes are visiting the country as it’s now a “part of the Invictus community,” Air Vice-Marshal Abidemi Marquis, director of sports for the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, said during a media briefing Thursday.
Their first engagement was an event hosted at a school in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, where Meghan told students: “I see myself in all of you.”
“We are so honored to be with you. We have got to acknowledge those amazing dance moves! My husband was excited to jump up!” Meghan told cheering students in the school’s hall.
Harry then jumped into the conversation, asking the children about their knowledge of mental health and reminding them to look after themselves and each other.
“Will you promise to us that after today, no more being scared, no more being unsure of mental health. If you are unsure, then ask. Ask your teachers. Ask your friends. Be there for one another.
“If you see your friend in your class not smiling, what are you gonna do? You gonna check in with them? Are you gonna ask him if they’re okay? ‘cause it’s okay not to be okay,” he said.
As they were leaving, the couple were given a traditional wooden mask and a set of books about Nigerian heritage. “I need to read these now,” the duchess added.
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