Prince Harry gets ‘goosebumps’ over plans for new Invictus Centre for war veterans in Nigeria after he and Meghan visited the country
Prince Harry got ‘goosebumps’ over plans for a new Invictus Games centre in Nigeria, it was revealed today.
The Prince, 39, said the new centre, which will help war veterans with physical and mental rehabilitation in Abuja, Nigeria, shows servicemen and women will not be ‘defined by their injuries’.
Speaking at a reception hosted by the Nigerian Chief of Defense Staff Christopher Musa during the Duke and Duchess’ ‘royal’ tour of the country earlier this month, Harry said: ‘Seeing the plans for the new Invictus Centre gives me goosebumps’.
He told guests he was glad Nigeria had joined the Invictus Games, and that athletes at the last competition ‘represented their service and this country, extraordinarily — won medals and came back with smiles on their faces.’
It came as he and wife Meghan Markle, 42, made their first official trip to Africa since quitting the royal family as working royals and moving to California, where they now live with their children Princess Lillibet and Prince Archie.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited Nigeria on a three-day tour earlier this month to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games
The prince, 39, said the new centre, which will help war veterans with physical and mental rehabilitation in Abuja, Nigeria, shows servicemen and women will not be ‘defined by their injuries’
Prince Harry said that seeing the plans for the new centre (pictured) gave him ‘goosebumps’
Architect Kobina Banning told People the centre ‘will be a healing place for veterans.’
Nigeria is the first nation in the whole of Africa to join the Invictus Games.
He added Nigeria has the largest army in Africa and that soldiers can serve with the security of knowing ‘there is this facility to fall back on’.
‘Here…soldiers embark on a transformative journey of healing, hope, and renewal.’
In a description for the new centre, which is yet to be completed, organisers said: ‘The Invictus Centre stands as a testament to the unwavering courage and fortitude of wounded, injured or sick soldiers, offering them a sanctuary of healing, hope, and empowerment.
‘Here, amidst the embrace of nature and community, lives are transformed, and the human spirit soars ever higher, undaunted by the challenges that lie ahead.’
The Sussexes travelled to Nigeria for a three-day trip to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games, the sporting event set up by Prince Harry for injured servicemen and women around the world.
The Sussexes travelled to Nigeria for a three-day trip to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games
Meghan and Prince Harry were flown around Nigeria for free by an airline whose chairman is a fugitive wanted in the US
The Sussexes also enjoyed cultural events, a trip to a polo club, meeting injured soldiers at a military hospital and playing adaptive sports
Meghan is pictured stodd next to five other female dinner guests as she attended a lunch with Minister of Defence in Abuja Nigeria
During the trip, Prince Harry also visited the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, in Kaduna, where he met and spoke with Nigerian veterans.
The Sussexes also enjoyed cultural events, a trip to a polo club, and playing adaptive sports.
During the trip, the couple were flown around Nigeria by airline Air Peace, founded by Dr Allen Onyema.
This caused controversy after it was revealed that Dr Onyema is wanted by the US as he faces multiple charges linked to millions of dollars worth of alleged fraud set down in a federal indictment filed in November 2019.
There is no suggestion that either Harry or Meghan were aware of Onyema’s history before they met him.
After the trip royal insiders claimed that the King and Prince William would have been left ‘absolutely furious’, due to its royal tour status in all but name.
Author Tom Quinn pointed out that the programme of events, extravagant gifts and meetings with the county’s top brass meant the couple’s trip was highly reminiscent of visits made by working royals.
The tour was intended to promote mental health for soldiers and empower young people – and the couple attended events related to Harry’s Invictus Games, which Nigeria is seeking to host in future.
The next Invictus Games is being held in February next year in Vancouver, Canada.
But the criticism did little to spoil the Sussexes spirits, with Meghan telling one reporter on the trip: ‘We’re just doing great. And happy to be watching our family grow up and evolve. Of course, I’m happy. We’re really happy.’
She also described the tour as ‘really meaningful’, saying such trips were ‘about us being able to go out and go and focus on the things that mean so much to us’.
Harry added: ‘You know what Africa means to me over the years. It is a very, very special place, and to be able to include Nigeria now, I’m very happy.’
