The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, friday visited the Defence Headquarters in Abuja
The Duke and Duchess, accompanied by officials of the British High Commission, arrived the DHQ at about 12:45 pm and inspected a quarter guard mounted by the Defence Headquarters Garrison, while the Duchess was received by the wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, Mrs Oghogho Musa and wives of service chiefs.
After inspecting the Quarter Guard, prince Harry and his wife exchanged pleasantries with top military officers, their wives and some members of the Invictus Games.
The Defence Headquarters, had at a media briefing on Thursday revealed that their visit to Nigeria will focus on engaging with the nation’s wounded and injured soldiers and their families.
Prince Harry’s decision to visit Nigeria followed an invite by the military high command following the nation’s debut appearance at the 2023 Invictus Games, held in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry In 2014 is an international multi-sport event for Wounded, Injured and Sick military personnel that offers support, recovery pathways and rehabilitation for the personnel, post-injury.
Director of Sports, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal, Abidemi Marquis had during the briefing, hinted that about eighty percent of nigerian soldiers wounded in action have been involved in the recovery programme and recuperating well.
Marquis said “The focal point of the visit is for the wounded and injured soldiers as a result of our engagement in counterterrorism operations,” Marquis said, noting that part of his visit would entail interacting with the WIS military personnel which will in turn boost their mental health and self-esteem.
The visit of the prince and the duchess will result to the to hosting the Invictus Games in Nigeria and facilitate the establishment of the proposed Invictus Games Centre in Abuja, and a collaborative effort with the Foundation to gain knowledge of the recovery programme.
He said the centre will be built and equipped to provide a holistic service for the management of the WIS, would also accommodate a medical centre and a mini hotel for their families during the recovery programme. It is also designed to accommodate a sporting centre.
In an Interview with journalists Director at the Invictus Games Foundation, David Wiseman who commented on the significance of the visit, said, “We’re going over to Nigeria over the next few days and we’re going over to see the progress that’s being made with regards to establishing and developing sports recovery in that nation and celebrating that incredible progress that they have been made.”
The DHQ expressed its delight to host the Duke, and his wife, Meghan who in 2022, told listeners to her Archetype podcast that she was “43 per cent Nigerian” after doing a genealogy test.