Prince Harry Celebrates Another Key Step In His Invictus Games Journey (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

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Ground has been broken at Nigeria’s new rehabilitation building for wounded service members, called the Armed Forces Invictus Centre. Kick-off for the construction of the venue in Abuja began in January 2025.

“The most important part of [Nigeria’s] involvement is that sports rehabilitation is now a thing in Nigeria,” he says.

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Reid says that “is absolutely astonishing” as they had little knowledge “about how to rehabilitate people when we first engaged with them.”

“And that is what the new center you’re building is all about,” he added. “Seeing the plans for the new Invictus Centre gives me goosebumps.”

The architect of the new center Kobina Banning explained to PEOPLE in May 2024, “This space will be a healing place for veterans.”

Banning traveled to some of the events with Harry and Meghan during their visit to the country. “Nigeria has the largest army in Africa, and with everything that is happening, this will give more hope for those who are serving as they know that if something was to happen there is this facility to fall back on,” he told PEOPLE. “It will help them heal but also is telling them they are not being left alone.”

As workstarted on the new developmenton Jan. 31, Prince Harry said in a statement, “The ground-breaking of the Armed Forces Invictus Centre in Nigeria represents a pivotal shift for our global Invictus community, expanding its reach to the great continent of Africa.”

“When my wife and I visited Nigeria last May, we witnessed first-hand the strength, hope and healing that sport ignites in individuals, as well as its restorative impact on families. I am especially proud to see Nigeria leading the way in Africa with this purpose-built recovery center.”

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“We look forward to witnessing the impact of this fantastic development on the Nigerian, and broader African, community,” he continued.

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For Reid, the Vancouver-Whistler games from Feb. 8 to Feb. 16 will be his last as CEO. Over the last 10 years, he says, the organization has “made a significant impact in the way in which disability is perceived. We have changed notions around service – it’s a really powerful thing that’s been done.”

“We talk about changing lives and saving lives, and piece of research we did in Dusseldorf, 10% of a group of people interviewed they were not confident they would be here if it wasn’t for what they had got from Invictus,” he adds. “That piece of research demonstrates that we have had an impact. That is very sobering.”

source: people.com