Nigeria?

[MaturingCheeseball]

Can this be true? That Harry and Meghan are off on a “royal” trip to Nigeria? What’s the game now? My head is spinning!

Oh no that’s a bit worrying

I’m sure they’ll manage to be quite safe. I think the two main issues are
1 it makes a nonsense of them “not being safe” in the UK and I think really emphasises that his real concern is press attention that is not on his terms
2 that he is going to indulge himself in a bit of inappropriate faux diplomacy

I think one outcome for Meghan will be photos of her surrounded by adoring Nigerians and lots of promoted articles saying what an asset she would have been to the monarchy.

Well, well, well, there’s a Nigerian oil billionaire behind the ‘acceptance’ of the proposed visit.

An oil billionaire is Minister of Defence in Nigeria. An Invictus sponsor is in business already with a huge oil corporation that’s exploiting and polluting Nigerian land and waterways.

Harry is being played and seeing $$$ and validation, at the expense of the reputation of Invictus and any credibility he has left (not much).

There will absolutely be a ring of steel around them, they will be as safe as is possible.

The possibility though is this could provide an opportunity for an attack elsewhere, either terrorism or bandits, which would get more publicity than normal because of the visit and with innocent people caught up in it.

Yes, but we’re not seeing the official invite, we’re seeing a Press release knocked up someone in an office put out for the benefit of the media…I wonder if the invite was a verbal one from a senior officer, and went something along the lines of:

”Harry, I’d like to discuss holding Invictus in more detail, do come over so we can talk some more, we’ll chuck in 😉a game of polo and of course feel free to bring your partner…”

That's kind of what I mean. This trip sounds a bit 'informal' shall we say. It doesn't look at all like an official government invitation. I'm still curious as to who is paying for all this and what exactly the motivation is. Let's face it, Invictus is not that big a deal, and there's no chance of Nigeria hosting the games for years, if ever. So what is this really all about? And who is paying for it?

As for security, I'm sure they'll be fine but given the reputation for corruption which Nigerian organisations have, very much including the government and military, it's not a country I would voluntarily visit, while leaving my young children on another continent without their parents.

I think the trip is being used by the oil billionaire-defence minister to ‘Invictus wash’ both his own activities and his military’s.

And that’s why Harry will be ‘HRH-ed’ at every turn on the visit. He’ll be royally royalled and Harry the great big muppet will love it all.

Looking at the nation's score on Transparency.org that would make sense, but for the same reason would anyone actually care about the value yet another possibly corrupt "official" places on things?

I've no doubt being feted and cringed to would fill Harry with glee, but where's the value if it's all done for ulterior (and maybe ghastly) motives?
And yes, that would apply just the same to anyone else visiting ...

https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/nigeria

Harry is poking at the monarchy's relationship with the Commonwealth. See: Jamaica visit. Next: Nigeria visit.

And wasn't there a Canadian visit?

Anywhere they go, Harry is likely to open his gob and say something that will be embarrassing to the King and HMG, and that can be spun in a negative way by people who are unfriendly to the UK. He'll do it out of stupidity as much as malice. And people who are equally stupid will lap it up. Just like they did with the recent targeting of Catherine, where there was apparently Russian involvement - the BBC website had a piece on it.

I am laughing at the worry Harry will say something stupid after the embarrassing William and Catherine Colonial tour.

The Hill reporter Mark Toth is looking more and more prescient with his article earlier this year.

At this point in time, everyone expects Harry to say something stupid. I just hope he gets asked about African Parks 😁

I know you are all getting excited at the idea that Harry will say something stupid. Just as you were all hoping he would leave his wife and children and go back to the Royal Family.
This is why social media is so toxic. People hoping bad things will happen to strangers.

Are you aware that there is solid evidence that the negativity surrounding the commonwealth tour was wholly created by the Sussex Squad?

Why are you using the word “colonial”, anyway?

Like the Sussex Squad hoping Kate will die you mean?

@AliceOlive If you did not see any issue with the way that tour was organised I do not think I can help you.

@Gorgonemilezola I have not seen one person hoping Catherine will die. Can you link me to any comment that says this? Just one?

Who's worried?

Harry and his wife represent nobody other than a corporate coaching app and an empty lifestyle site. Who cares if they makes fools of themselves again? There is good entertainment value to be had however, I'll grant you that.

Help me? You’re the one referring to visits to sovereign countries as colonial. As they say in air travel, place the mask over your own face first.

It is also an opportunity for Harry to make a difference in the world. Drawing on his Travalyst speech, he can point out to Nigeria that travelers need destinations. Nigeria should step up and stop the killing, kidnapping, etc. to become a better travel destination.

Meghan can source jam pots.

I’m reminded of 2007 Miss Teen USA and the maps question. (In fairness, she was a kid and under tremendous pressure.)

He also had time to prepare that speech. He wasn't off the cuff.

Look for yourself on X. I’ll point you in the direction of two delightful accounts. Baroness Bruck and Blu Ivy.
They have also been posting disgusting things about how she’ll look after chemo. If you think this is ok, then I can’t help you.

It’s actually quite disgraceful how you’ve demanded proof to be honest….!

I am laughing at the worry Harry will say something stupid after the embarrassing William and Catherine Colonial tour.

I felt really sorry for them - the perceived issued weren't their fault. The Foreign Office seemingly sent them into a very difficult situation, and they did their best.

I get that Jamaica want to leave the CW - fine - but it was hostile and rude and inappropriate for the PM to say it so baldly in the context he did. It's surely something for diplomats/politicians to chew over. W & K can't respond and certainly can't enter into any diplomatic arguments.

And as for the wire fence business - how on earth was that W and K's fault? The wire fence wasn't their doing, and if little children push their hands through, are they supposed to snub them? I smell malice - trying to show them in a bad light.

Basically, if Jamaica didn't want them, it should have said so. Did it? I genuinely don't know, but it's an important point. Like inviting people to your home to be rude to them.

And if they didn't admit to being hostile to the tour in advance, then they should have shown a bit more grace.

So much for Harry’s eco credentials! He will happily take money from those profiting from fossil fuels but will criticise anyone for using them…..

I get that Jamaica want to leave the CW

They don't. They may want to become a republic, but it's highly unlikely they would choose to leave the Commonwealth.

And if they do, that's entirely up to them. Nobody's stopping them.