ALBAWABA - Harry and his wife were greeted warmly in Nigeria, where the prince took part in a game against wounded soldiers.
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, declared her delight that Nigeria is "her country," pointing out that a DNA test revealed she is "45% Nigerian." "It was interesting to be able to learn more about my origins," she said on her second day of her first visit to Nigeria with Prince Harry.
She went on to say, "It is a compliment to me because what they know about Nigerian women is courage, resilience, and beauty," at an event in Abuja hosted by Nigerian economist and World Trade Organization head Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. She went on to mention that her mother was the first person she told about the news.
Nigeria welcomed Prince Harry and his wife with open arms. During their tour, the prince even got involved in a volleyball match, playing in a "sitting position" against wounded veterans of the army.
They were led straight to a volleyball match after their late Saturday morning local time arrival and handed green and white Nigerian scarves to wear as they sat on the court.
Harry's addition to the tournament, which pitted his Invictus team against a Nigerian army squad, created quite a stir. The Nigerian squad eventually prevailed, 25-2.
The Nigerian Defense Staff and Nigeria: Unconquered hosted a ceremony where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, inspired by Prince Harry's Invictus Games Foundation, a local organization that aids injured soldiers, were guests of honor.
As part of their support for the Invictus Games, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have landed in Nigeria. Harry formed the games to aid in the rehabilitation of ill and injured veterans and troops, including Nigerian soldiers who have fought against extremists for fourteen years.
Brigadier General Tukur Gusu, a spokesperson for the Defense Ministry, confirmed that the pair, who are on their first official visit to the West African nation at the request of its military, landed in Abuja, the capital, early this morning.
After serving as an Apache helicopter co-pilot in Afghanistan, Harry established the Invictus Games in 2014 to provide wounded military veterans with a chance to compete in Paralympic-style athletic activities.
Nigeria was one of the countries that participated in the Games last year.
The news of Meghan's visit has excited some in Nigeria, where people are closely following and scrutinizing her life and connection to the British royal family.
Since Boko Haram began its war in 2009, the Nigerian army has reported that hundreds of its personnel have been battling local Boko Haram extremists and groups. The Invictus Games might assist in their recuperation, according to the army.
