Tour Highlighted Mental Health, Youth, and Sports
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, concluded their whirlwind three-day visit to Nigeria on Sunday, leaving a trail of warm memories and a renewed focus on youth development, mental health, and the transformative power of sports.
Their Nigerian adventure began in Abuja, the bustling capital city. Touching down on Friday, the couple immediately immersed themselves in local affairs with a visit to the Lightway Academy.
Here, amidst bright classrooms and eager students, they announced a landmark partnership between their Archewell Foundation and the GEANCO Foundation. This collaboration aims to tackle the often-overlooked issue of mental health among young Nigerians. The initiative will provide essential resources and training programs to equip educators, counsellors, and students themselves with the tools to navigate mental health challenges.
News of this partnership resonated deeply with many Nigerians. Mental health remains a largely stigmatised issue in the country, and the Sussexes’ focus on providing support to young people was met with applause.
Malaika Gyang-gyang, a student at Lightway Academy, expressed her elation: “On camera they are good, but in person, holy moly! They were so genuine and really listened to our concerns about stress and pressure.”
“Thank you very much for how graciously you’ve all been welcoming my husband and me to this country,” the Duchess concluded her speech, pausing before adding, “my country.”
Their itinerary also included a visit to meet with wounded Nigerian soldiers in the North West. Prince Harry, a veteran himself and a passionate advocate for wounded service personnel, took time to connect with Nigerian soldiers during the visit. He travelled to the northwest region to meet with those injured in the line of duty.
While details remain confidential, discussions reportedly included the possibility of Nigeria hosting future Invictus Games – a Paralympic-style sporting event founded by Prince Harry for wounded veterans. This potential development could offer Nigerian veterans a unique platform for rehabilitation and inspiration.
The final day saw the Sussexes travel to Lagos, Nigeria’s vibrant economic hub. Here, they embraced their love for sports by participating in a basketball event with the Giants of Africa Foundation.
This organisation uses basketball as a tool for youth development, promoting teamwork, discipline, and healthy lifestyles.
Photos captured the joy on the faces of children as Prince Harry playfully dribbled with them, while Meghan engaged in animated conversations with coaches and athletes. Both royals exuded a genuine enthusiasm for the power of sports to empower young people.
The visit garnered significant media attention and enthusiastic public reception. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos even hosted the couple at the Lagos House, a gesture highlighting the positive impact of the royal visit.
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