Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Honoured For Philanthropic Work in Nigeria.

By Caroline Ameh

The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has praised the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, for their philanthropic initiatives aimed at supporting injured military personnel in Nigeria and around the world.

Speaking on Saturday, at an event hosted by the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, in Abuja, Nigeria, Dr. Dabiri-Erewa commended the royal couple for setting a precedent for others to follow in their charitable endeavors.

She expressed gratitude for their contribution towards the rehabilitation of wounded service men and women through the Invictus Games, stating, “We can’t all not be inspired by what you have done.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit to Nigeria, which spans three days, aims to bolster Nigeria’s bid to host the Invictus Games 2027 and support the proposal for an Invictus Centre in Nigeria to aid injured soldiers.

Established to aid in the rehabilitation of wounded and sick service personnel, the Invictus Games celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Nigeria’s participation in the Games last year marked a historic moment, with the country clinching gold and bronze medals.

During the visit, the royal couple also sought to immerse themselves in Nigeria’s rich socio-cultural heritage, with Meghan Markle exploring her Nigerian lineage, tracing it back to Kwara state.

At the event, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa presented the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with a traditional Yoruba Aso Oke ensemble, symbolizing the cultural exchange between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

In his address, Prince Harry expressed gratitude for the warm reception and energy received during their visit. He recounted a touching moment from his visit to a military rehabilitation center in Kaduna, where he witnessed the resilience of injured soldiers participating in activities like push-ups, despite their past injuries.

Prince Harry emphasized the importance of the Invictus Games and the envisioned Invictus Centre in empowering individuals to overcome their challenges.

The royal couple also engaged with Nigeria Unconquered, the country’s Invictus Games team, and participated in activities such as sitting volleyball.

Furthermore, Meghan Markle co-hosted a Women in Leadership event with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, highlighting the role of Nigerian women in leadership positions.