The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Menghan Markle received asho oke gifts from Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
Aso oke fabric is a hand-woven cloth created by the Yoruba people of west Africa. Usually woven by men and women, the fabric is used to make men’s gowns,
The couple also danced with Dabiri-Erewa.
This took place when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended a reception hosted by the Chief of Defense Staff at the reception held at the Armed Forces Officers Mess & Suites in Abuja.
This was after they attended a volleyball game earlier in the day.
The purpose of the visit was to introduce the royal couple to Nigeria’s rich socio-cultural heritage and provide an opportunity for the Duchess of Sussex to explore her Nigerian lineage.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended a sitting volleyball match on Saturday, May 11, on the second day of their visit to Nigeria.
The visit is part of Harry’s Invictus Game project and he delighted onlookers when he took part in a game with with all the players being wounded military personnel.
Harry’s Nigeria Unconquered team ended up losing 21-25 to the Chief of Defence staff squad.
The outdoor volleyball match at the Officers Mess was their first official engagement on Saturday.
Prince Harry and his team visited the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna to interact with wounded soldiers who are receiving treatment.
Nigeria joined the Invictus Community of Nations in 2022 becoming the first African country to join.
Prince Harry’s visit to Kaduna came 68 years after his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II visited the state during the time of the late Premier of Northern Region Sir Ahmadu Bello.
The Duke of Sussex is in Nigeria with his wife to champion the Invictus Games, which Harry founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans.
Recall that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle will visit Nigeria on Friday, May 10, 2024.
Prince Harry displaying the asho oke fabric
The Director of Sports, Defence Headquarters, Abidemi Marquis, said Harry – the founder of Invictus Games, would spend three days in Nigeria and would interact with wounded soldiers and their families.
The visit scheduled for May 10-13, 2024 would help the wounded soldiers in their recovery efforts.
