Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has expressed that it has been “very humbling” to discover through a genealogy test that she has Nigerian ancestry as she interacted with women in the West African nation on Saturday.
As reported by Associated Press on Saturday, Meghan, during her second day in Nigeria, her first visit with Prince Harry, to advocate for mental health for injured soldiers and young girls, recognized Nigeria as “my country.”
She shared, “It’s been enlightening to learn more about my heritage.”
“I would never have understood it as deeply as I do now. And what has been repeatedly expressed in the past day is, ’Oh, we are not so surprised when we found out you are Nigerian,” she stated at the event on women in leadership co-hosted by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a Nigerian economist and head of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
“It is a flattering compliment to you because what they describe as a Nigerian woman is brave, resilient, courageous, beautiful,” Meghan conveyed to the audience.
The Duchess of Sussex had revealed on her podcast in October 2022 that she discovered through the DNA-based test that she was “43% Nigerian.”
Her initial response after finding out was to inform her mother, she disclosed at the event in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. “Being African American, part of it is really not knowing so much about your lineage and background … and it was exciting for both of us,” she explained.
Mo Abudu, the anchor and chief executive of EbonyLife media group, then prompted the audience to propose a Nigerian name for Meghan.
“Ifeoma,” someone shouted from the excited crowd, a name from Nigeria’s Igbo tribe which means ‘a treasured thing.’ “Omowale” another suggested, from the Yoruba tribe, which means ‘the child has come home.’ and Edidiong which means ‘blessing’.
Meghan joined female industry leaders such as Okonjo-Iweala to discuss the importance of mentorship for young women and the career challenges women face in a country like Nigeria, where it is not common for women to be in top leadership and political positions.
When asked by the anchor about how she feels about becoming the first woman and first African to lead the WTO, Okonjo-Iweala mentioned that it was long overdue.
“When I will feel right is when we stop saying, ‘the first woman to do this … to do that’. I have very mixed feelings about being the first woman because I think women should have been there already.” She also spoke about mentors who have helped her career, including as Nigeria’s former finance minister.
One way to mentor young girls is by “returning home” to be closer to them, Meghan expressed, citing the case of Okonjo-Iweala as an example. “You need to come back home, you need to, at least, be a familiar face for the next generation to say, ‘Oh she looks like me and I can be that’,” she added.
Earlier in the day, Meghan watched Prince Harry’s Invictus Games team compete in a sitting volleyball match against the Nigerian military team, featuring soldiers recovering from injuries sustained in the country’s conflict. After the game, the couple met with players, their families, and a group of women who gifted Meghan a traditional Nigerian fabric.
"We are supporters of Harry and Meghan," said Peace Adetoro, 57, a member of the group. "They are a lovely couple and we adore them very much. We fully back them 100%."
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