Harry and Meghan receive affectionate reception in Nigeria, participating in a volleyball game with military veterans.
On Saturday, two individuals attended an event organized by Nigeria's Defense Staff and 'Nigeria: Unconquered' - a charitable organization dedicated to assisting injured service members. Their program is modeled after the Duke of Sussex's Invictus Games Foundation. The event kicked off when they arrived at an officer's mess and were led to watch a sitting volleyball match, cheering on teams representing the Invictus group and the Nigerian military. Wearing scarves in Nigeria's green and white colors, the participants reasonably aroused excitement when Harry joined the game, with the Invictus squad defeated by the military team. Nine-year-old Tiwatope Akanbi shared her excitement with CNN, claiming, "I'm so happy I saw Meghan today and I will never forget it all my life." Meghan interacted with a group of women identified as the Sussex Squad Nigeria, who emotionally declared, "We love you. Nigeria loves you. Welcome home." They gifted her with a book and a Nigerian fabric. Meghan disclosed in 2022 that she learned from a genealogy test that she's 43% Nigerian.
Flight Sargeant Ifeoma Loveleen Nwagbo and Flight Sargeant Gloria Kisitmwa Dimka, both wounded soldiers, expressed to CNN their positive outlook on the significance of the couple's presence.
Nwagbo explained, "Honestly, Prince Harry and Meghan's visit to Nigeria means a lot to me personally."
She continued, "...because [this initiative] makes me understand that yes: I can actually achieve what I couldn't achieve before in my life. And then [Harry] coming to Nigeria - Wow! I'm just feeling on top of the world, because I will meet him – it's fantastic!" Dimka stated, "The Sussexes' visit tells wounded soldiers 'that they are being supported and being cared for.'"
"We really appreciate it and we are thankful. We thank them for... all the effort they are putting [in] to put laughter and smiles in the faces of all the sick and the wounded soldiers. This means a lot to us."
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Nigeria on Friday for a brief, private three-day visit to the African nation. Their first event was at a school in Abuja, where Meghan addressed students, conveying, "I see myself in all of you."
Harry, meanwhile, spoke about mental health, encouraging the children to prioritize their well-being and support one another. "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," he implored.
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During their visit, Harry and Meghan acknowledged the significance of their African heritage, with Meghan revealing her 43% Nigerian heritage in a previous year. Their impact extends beyond Nigeria, sparking hope and inspiration for people around the world. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's visit to Africa, particularly Nigeria, serves as a testament to their commitment to supporting humanitarian causes and promoting unity on a global scale.
Source: edition.cnn.com
