Harry and Meghan ‘lit a spark’ that will keep on shining after they met with schoolchildren in Nigeria to discuss mental health last month, it has been claimed.

Afam Onyema, CEO of the GEANCO Foundation which partners with the Sussexes’ Archewell Foundation,

said the couple’s visit to the Lightway Academy in Abuja was ‘not just a photo op’ and had a lasting affect on the pupils.   

During the trip, which fell on the first day of the couple’s three-day whirlwind tour of Nigeria, Prince Harry addressed the pupils about their mental health

and wellbeing and encouraged them to notice changes among their peers which may signal someone is not feeling mentally sound.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Mr Onyema said the pupils are still asking questions about the Sussexes’ message weeks after the visit – and insisted the couple’s work with the school was ‘not just a photo op’.

He said: ‘Even now, weeks after that summit, as we’re preparing for the rest of [the lessons], kids are still asking questions, and they’re still challenging the status quo.’

The Duke, 39, and Duchess of Sussex, 42, who together started the charity, Archewell, are in partnership with the GEANCO Foundation, a Los Angeles–based organisation that supports medical care and education in the West African country.

Mr Onyema explained that the prince’s speech about his own struggles with mental health which had ‘inspired’ the academy’s children.

‘They were inspired so much by Harry and Meghan. From the questions they asked about mental health, you could tell they were so hungry to learn more.’

During the visit, Meghan also shared an a story about her three-year-old daughter, Lili, who shared a moment a tender moment when she told her mother she saw herself in her mother. 

The duchess then went on to tell children at the academy that she as well as seeing herself in her daughter, she also saw herself in them. 

Children at the academy were encouraged by expert psychologists and the prince alike, to unpack questions about their own and other’s wellbeing. Harry encouraged them to ask other’s if they were okay if they see them looking down.

Mr Onyema insisted his belief that the duke and duchess were committed to a lasting and effective program.

The CEO also firmly believed the impact of the summit on the children had been significant and said the children were still talking about the event a month on. 

The charity first partnered with the foundation last year in a bid to improve educations of women’s mental cycles while also helping to distribute 2,500 period products to Nigerian girls.

Towards the end of the year, Archewell asked the CEO to expand their mission to include mental health support for all genders.

With their support, GEANCO created a two-day curriculum to give teens in the nation, better skills for coping with mental health struggles.

On the visit, the Prince expressed his excitement at expanding a new Invictus Games 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’.

The couple set foot in the West African nation last month after being invited by the country’s military.

After flying back to their home in LA to be reunited with their children Archie and Lilibet, the couple hailed their time in Nigeria as ‘unforgettable’ in a press release.

Their statement added: ‘The Duke and Duchess would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all the event organisers, military officials and the whole Nigerian community for their tremendous hospitality and the first of many memorable trips.’ 

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Source: Tampa Bay Times