ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) – Prince Harry and his wife Meghan spoke Friday to champion the mental health of young people affected by conflict and promote the Invictus Games, which the prince founded to help them reintegrate into society. , arrived in Nigeria amidst spectacular dancing. Wounded and sick military personnel and veterans.
The couple, who were visiting the West African country for the first time at the invitation of the military, spent three days at Wrightway Academy, a school supported by the Archewell Foundation to train girls affected by Nigeria's conflict. I started visiting. He is also scheduled to hold talks with the country's military officers.
Prince Harry and Meghan will also meet wounded soldiers and their families in a bid to boost morale among soldiers, including those fighting a 14-year war against Islamic extremists in the country's northeast, Nigerian officials said. It is said to be an expression of support.
Harry served in Afghanistan as a co-pilot on an Apache helicopter before founding the Invictus Games in 2014, which challenges injured veterans and military personnel to compete in sporting events similar to the Paralympics. Nigeria was one of the countries that participated in last year's competition.
A dance troupe and a crowd of excited students and teachers greeted the couple at the school in Abuja, where the first Mental Health Summit, organized by GEANCO, a local non-profit affiliated with the foundation, began.
“We have to recognize those amazing dance moves!” Meghan said. “Her husband was so excited he was jumping up and down!”
They then entered the classroom and interacted with the children who showed them the robot cars they had built.
They spoke to the students about mental health and about their children Archie and Lilibet.
“There can be a stigma around mental health around the world. Too many people don't want to talk about this,” Harry said. “So, can you promise me that after today you will never be scared or have any concerns about your mental health?”
Meghan praised her husband's generosity.
“Do you know why I'm marrying him?” she said of Harry to cheers, imploring schoolchildren to never be ashamed of their life experiences. “It is a great honor to visit Nigeria for the first time. Please be here with all of us. We believe in you. We believe in your future,” she said.
Student Nnenna Okorie was excited to meet the couple. “She is the most beautiful human being ever,” said Okolie, her senior at the school. “I really respect her, and I also respect Harry. She loves how supportive he is,” she said.
The couple then went to Nigeria's National Defense Headquarters where they were greeted by military personnel and their wives before having a private meeting with Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa.
During their stay, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan will also attend basketball and volleyball matches in Abuja and Lagos. Meghan will co-host an event on women's leadership with World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said the couple's spokesperson Charlie Gipson.
News of Meghan's visit excited some in Nigeria, where her life and involvement with the British royal family has been closely watched. Meghan has also said in the past that her family tree revealed that she was 43% Nigerian.
Nigeria's military has touted the Invictus Games as potentially helping it recover thousands of members who have been fighting the country's Islamic militant group Boko Haram and its factions since it began an insurgency in 2009. Ta.
“Eighty percent of the soldiers who have participated in this recovery program have recovered and their outlook on life has become positive,” said Army Sports Director Marquis.
“The recovery program gave them the opportunity to increase their personal self-esteem and improve their mental health and emotional intelligence.”
Chinedu Asadu, The Associated Press
