Abuja, May 13, 2024 – Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has commended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, for their philanthropic works to society, especially to the injured, sick and traumatised soldiers and war veterans.
She gave the commendation at the welcome banquet held in their honour in Abuja by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa.
The NiDCOM boss said their kind gestures would empower the wounded soldiers.
“The initiative for the proposal to site the Invictus Centre in Nigeria to support the categories of soldiers mentioned above is not only laudable, but also a testament of our commitment as a country to look after those who have suffered in one way or the other in the line of duty to protect our nation,” she said.
The NiDCOM boss also said the visit would boost Nigeria’s quest and interest to host the Invictus Games 2027 and enhance the proposal to site the Invictus Centre in Nigeria in support of the wounded, injured and sick war veterans, among others.
Dabiri-Erewa, who learnt that Meghan Markle is 43 percent Nigerian after having her genealogy (DNA) done in 2022, commended the Duchess for being an embodiment of the Nigerian womanhood and her activities towards women and girl-child empowerment.
She welcomed the duchess to Nigeria and extended an invitation to her to attend the Annual Badagry Door of Return Festival in Lagos.
Prince Harry, who is the founder of the Invictus Games Foundation, said that in the 10 years of the Invictus Games, a remarkable moment was to have the Nigerian team win gold and bronze medals at their first outing in the 2023 Games held in Düsseldorf, Germany.
He expressed his pleasure at Nigeria joining the Invictus Games and his optimism to witness more of Nigeria’s participation.
The duke said he was sure that the proposed Invictus Games Centre in Nigeria would bring succour to the injured, sick and traumatised army men and women.
The duke, who was a member of the Royal Armed Forces in the UK, assured of his commitment in collaborating with the Nigerian Armed Forces, especially with the Centre in Nigeria, which he said, he was enthusiastic about.
He expressed appreciation at the warm hospitality he and his wife had received since their arrival in Nigeria, while calling on everyone to support and respect members of the armed forces, especially the injured soldiers.
Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the Minister of Defence, said he was delighted that such a facility would be built in the country, describing the gesture as apt given the sacrifices the soldiers had made in defending the country.
Maj-Gen. Uche Agbor, who represented the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, said that the Nigerian Army would continually cater for the welfare of its soldiers, especially post-war and injured ones.
He thanked the royal couple for choosing to build a centre in Nigeria during their visit, which he said, would rehabilitate the war victims to become the best versions of themselves, irrespective of the current challenge facing them.
Hajia Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, the Wife of the Minister of Budget and Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said she was pleased at their visit to help the wounded soldiers.
Bagudu, an advocate for girl-child education as well as cancer patients, especially for women, said the visit would go a long way in giving hope to the injured army personnel.
The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of African attire gift to the duke and duchess by Dabiri-Erewa, and another one by the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) in conjunction with the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA).
The royal couple arrived in Nigeria on Friday at the invitation of Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, following the nation’s maiden participation at the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany. (GBN)
