On Friday, the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, welcomed Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, exactly 68 years following the visit of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, to the state on February 2, 1959.
During her visit, the Queen was received by the late Premier of the former Northern region, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, arrived in Nigeria on the same day to promote the Invictus Games, an initiative he established to support the rehabilitation of wounded and sick service members and veterans, including Nigerian soldiers involved in a 14-year conflict against Islamic extremists.
As reported by the Associated Press on Friday, the couple, making their inaugural visit to West Africa at the invitation of the Nigerian military, arrived in the capital city of Abuja early in the morning, according to defense spokesman Brigadier General Tukur Gusau.
During their visit, they will interact with injured soldiers and their families, with the aim of uplifting morale and well-being. Nigerian officials have praised this initiative as a significant opportunity for the rehabilitation of Nigerian soldiers.
Welcoming the Duke of Sussex to the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna, the governor expressed his joy in hosting Harry in the state, which he referred to as the “heart of Northern Nigeria.”
Sani characterized Harry, who visited the state without his spouse, as a symbol of courage, resilience, compassion, and the unity of humanity. He also commended Harry for his altruistic service to the United Kingdom and humanity.
He remarked that despite Harry’s privileged upbringing and position within the Royal Family, he chose to serve his country on the battlefield, remaining an inspiration to youth and a symbol of patriotism.
The governor continued, stating, “Nigeria and the United Kingdom share a longstanding relationship. Kaduna has been host to some of the most notable political and administrative figures from colonial times to Nigeria’s independence in 1960.
“Sir Frederick Lugard, the first British Governor of Northern Nigeria, established his base in Kaduna due to its proximity to the Lagos–Kano Railway. Kaduna became the capital of the former Northern Nigeria in 1917, and to this day, it remains the political and cultural hub of the Northern region.”
“Kaduna also holds a significant role in the growth and advancement of the Nigerian Military. The West African Frontier Force (WAFF), which laid the groundwork for today’s Armed Forces of Nigeria, was relocated to Kaduna in 1913 due to its isolation from other established towns and its freedom from local political complexities.
“The transfer of the WAFF from Zungeru to Kaduna on February 21, 1913, can be considered the genesis of modern Kaduna, solidifying Kaduna State’s rightful status as the cradle of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
Earlier, the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, stated that the primary purpose of his trip is to visit wounded soldiers serving the country and the families of those who lost their lives on the battlefield.
He mentioned that having established a charity organization dedicated to the welfare of soldiers a decade ago, Nigeria is the first African country to warmly embrace the organization, supporting ten outstanding soldiers.
“We had a conversation with the Chief of Defence Staff some f hours ago and our coming had put smiles on the wounded soldiers,” he said.
Prince Harry’s decision to visit Nigeria followed an invite by the military high command following the nation’s debut appearance at the 2023 Invictus Games, held in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry In 2014 is an international multi-sport event for Wounded, Injured, and Sick military personnel that offers support, recovery pathways, and rehabilitation for the personnel, post-injury.
According to the Director of Sports, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, “80 per cent” of the nation’s soldiers have been involved in the recovery programme and “are doing better”.
“The focal point of the visit is for the wounded and injured soldiers as a result of our engagement in counterterrorism operations,” Marquis said, noting that part of his visit would entail interacting with the WIS military personnel which will in turn boost their mental health and self-esteem,” he stated.
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