LAGOS, Nigeria – Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have arrived in Nigeria on a private, but significant three-day visit.
This journey, beginning today, Friday, May 10, 2024, and concluding on May 13, is hosted by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.
The royal couple’s visit aims to bolster the spirits of wounded soldiers and their families, an initiative close to Prince Harry’s heart, given his military background and ongoing commitment to the Invictus Games, a sports competition for wounded veterans that he founded.
The Invictus Games have become a global symbol of resilience and recovery for servicemen and women.
According to Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, Director of Sports at the Defence Headquarters, the visit is a much-anticipated event for the troops.
“Because we realised that 80 percent of our soldiers have been involved in this recovery program, they are getting better. Their outlook on life is positive,” AVM Marquis stated.
He further elaborated on the significant impact such programmes have on the mental and emotional well-being of soldiers who have faced serious injuries in the line of duty.
“The recovery programme has given them an opportunity to improve their personal self-esteem, to improve their mental health, and their emotional intelligence has improved. Also, with their families seeing them, as they used to be the breadwinners who are capable of continuing living,” Marquis explained.
The visit of the Duke and Duchess is not just a morale booster but a profound reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by soldiers returning from combat. It underscores the broader global effort to support our veterans through recovery and beyond.
