Nigeria welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, with open arms last Friday. The royal couple graced our shores, arriving aboard Air Peace to champion the Invictus Games and raise awareness about mental health among our military personnel and citizens.
Prince Harry, himself a former combat officer, founded the Invictus Games in 2014. This remarkable initiative aims to foster a sense of belonging and promote sports among retired and serving military personnel who have sustained disabling injuries during their service. The couple’s visit was at the invitation of General Chris Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, underscoring the significance of their mission.
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During their stay, Harry and Meghan visited the Lightway Academy in Abuja, where they interacted with girls affected by conflicts in Nigeria. Their tour also took them to Kaduna and Lagos, where they were warmly received by Governors Uba Sani and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, respectively. In a touching display of solidarity, Prince Harry joined physically challenged soldiers in exhibition games, embodying the spirit of his late mother, Princess Diana, fondly known as the “Queen of Hearts.”
The couple’s visit evoked memories of the historic tours undertaken by Prince Harry’s grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, who visited Nigeria in 1956 and 2003 during her reign as our sovereign under British colonialism. Beyond the pomp and circumstance, their presence carried a deeper symbolism – a call to action for a society that often overlooks its most vulnerable members.
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Nigeria, regrettably, has a long-standing tradition of neglecting those in need, particularly retired and serving members of our security forces who have sacrificed their well-being to protect our nation. The plight of these heroes, some of whom fought to preserve our unity during the Nigerian Civil War, remains a stain on our conscience, with many still awaiting their rightful entitlements. Moreover, our society stigmatizes mental illness, and the government’s inaction has left countless individuals struggling with mental health issues abandoned on the streets.
As Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation, guided by the motto “Show up, Do Good,” strives to “impact communities and change the world,” their visit should serve as a wake-up call. Beyond the official engagements and flowery speeches, their affiliated activist groups should document the neglect of disabled servicemen and women, amplifying their voices and speaking truth to power wherever they go. Only then can we truly honor the sacrifices of those who have defended our nation and ensure that mental health and well-being are prioritized for all Nigerians.
