Nigeria's First Lady slams influence of US stars after Meghan's visit

Nigeria's First Lady slams influence of US stars after Meghan's visit

The First Lady of Nigeria has warned the country's women not to 'lose who they are' in a speech given shortly after Meghan Markle's visit where she also slammed the 'nakedness' of US celebrities.

Speaking at an event in Abuja to mark the first year of her husband's administration, the wife of President Bola Tinubu urged its teenagers and young people to dress more demurely and not 'try to emulate film stars from America'.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who is nicknamed 'mummy' by some Nigerian citizens, said: 'We have to salvage our children. We see the way they dress. We are not having the Met Gala. And everyone, the nakedness, is just everywhere and the men are well-clothed.

'So we have to do something. Tell them we don't accept nakedness in our culture. That is not beautiful. It's not beautiful at all'.

The First Lady did name Meghan in her speech but was not criticising the Duchess, who met with young women herself in the West African nation on Saturday two weeks ago where she called Nigeria 'my country' and announced she is 43% Nigerian.

In her own message to Nigeria's women on Saturday in the wake of Harry and Meghan's cultural visit to also promote Invictus, Senator Tinubu said: 'They do not want to mimic and try to emulate film stars from America.

'They don't know where they come from.

'Why did Meghan [Markle] come here looking for Africa? That is something we have to take home with [us]. We know who we are. Don't lose who you are'.

Meghan and Harry's trip to Nigeria was hailed as a success but the Duchess of Sussex has faced some disapproval from some experts over her ultra-expensive choice of clothing on her 'faux royal tour' with Prince Harry this month in a country with high unemployment and poverty.

The former actress and influencer described it as a homecoming and revealed she is 43% Nigerian according to a DNA test. Harry playfully said at one event that the Nigerian audience were his 'in-laws'.

One fashion expert said that Meghan, who wore a number of stunning outfits including some backless and sleeveless dresses, could have shown 'more modesty in clothing' because Nigeria is predominantly a Muslim country.

Another suggested Meghan 'bared too much skin' and would have covered up more had Buckingham Palace been planning the trip.

Senator Tinubu said in a speech broadcast by Arise News said of Nigerian women: 'They're all beautiful girls, but they should be confident in who they are'.

She added: 'They keep forgetting that Nigeria, we are beautiful. You can see what they showcase on the stage, I said, 'We are fashionable, we see what is going on'.'

The First Lady urged Nigeria's women to become unifying forces in their homes and communities to drive greater prosperity for the nation.

She said: 'When mothers stand with you, the house is in order. Looking ahead, we must endeavour to become the unifying force in our homes and our communities, to bring about greater prosperity for our nation.

'To all our mothers here today, and to those who have supported and keep touching our lives in countless ways, I say thank you. Thank you for your love, strength, and unending sacrifices'.

Last week it emerged that Prince Harry got 'goosebumps' over plans for a new Invictus Games centre in Nigeria.

The Prince, 39, said the new 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'.

He told guests he was glad Nigeria had joined the Invictus Games, and that athletes at the last competition 'represented their service and this country, extraordinarily — won medals and came back with smiles on their faces.'

It came as he and wife Meghan Markle, 42, made their first official trip to Africa since quitting the royal family as working royals and moving to California, where they now live with their children Princess Lillibet and Prince Archie.

Architect Kobina Banning told Peoplethe centre 'will be a healing place for veterans.'

Nigeria is the first nation in the whole of Africa to join the Invictus Games.

He added Nigeria has the largest army in Africa and that soldiers can serve with the security of knowing 'there is this facility to fall back on'.

'Here...soldiers embark on a transformative journey of healing, hope, and renewal.'

In a description for the new centre, which is yet to be completed, organisers said: 'The Invictus Centre stands as a testament to the unwavering courage and fortitude of wounded, injured or sick soldiers, offering them a sanctuary of healing, hope, and empowerment.

'Here, amidst the embrace of nature and community, lives are transformed, and the human spirit soars ever higher, undaunted by the challenges that lie ahead.'

The Sussexes travelled to Nigeria for a three-day trip to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games, the sporting event set up by Prince Harry for injured servicemen and women around the world.

During the trip, Prince Harry also visited the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, in Kaduna, where he met and spoke with Nigerian veterans.

The Sussexes also enjoyed cultural events, a trip to a polo club, and playing adaptive sports.

During the trip, the couple were flown around Nigeria by airline Air Peace, founded by Dr Allen Onyema.

This caused controversy after it was revealed that Dr Onyema is wanted by the US as he faces multiple charges linked to millions of dollars worth of alleged fraud set down in a federal indictment filed in November 2019.

There is no suggestion that either Harry or Meghan were aware of Onyema's history before they met him.

After the trip royal insiders claimed that the King and Prince William would have been left 'absolutely furious', due to its royal tour status in all but name.

Author Tom Quinn pointed out that the programme of events, extravagant gifts and meetings with the county's top brass meant the couple's trip was highly reminiscent of visits made by working royals.

The tour was intended to promote mental health for soldiers and empower young people – and the couple attended events related to Harry's Invictus Games, which Nigeria is seeking to host in future.

The next Invictus Games is being held in February next year in Vancouver, Canada.

But the criticism did little to spoil the Sussexes spirits, with Meghan telling one reporter on the trip: 'We're just doing great. And happy to be watching our family grow up and evolve. Of course, I'm happy. We're really happy.'

She also described the tour as 'really meaningful', saying such trips were 'about us being able to go out and go and focus on the things that mean so much to us'.

Harry added: 'You know what Africa means to me over the years. It is a very, very special place, and to be able to include Nigeria now, I'm very happy.'