Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were flown around Nigeria for free by Air Peace, an airline company whose boss is wanted in the United States on fraud charges. During their visit, the Sussexes participated in various events including opening an event on mental health, playing sitting volleyball with injured servicemen, and co-hosting a women’s leadership event. They traveled to Nigeria on British Airways but received courtesy flights from Air Peace. Dr. Allen Onyema, the founder of Air Peace, is facing charges of alleged fraud involving millions of dollars.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been accused of hypocrisy for racking up 12 tonnes of carbon emissions from their free flights in Nigeria. The return journey from Abuja to Lagos on a 664-mile round trip generated this significant carbon footprint, which is multiple times higher than the global average annual footprint per person. This has raised concerns due to Harry and Meghan’s public stance against climate change. Despite launching sustainability initiatives like Travalyst, which promotes sustainable tourism, the royal couple’s extravagant flights have sparked criticism.
Stanley Olisa of Air Peace mentioned how the company provided the Sussexes with top-tier treatment on their exclusive flights, with just the royals and their small entourage onboard. The courtesy flights were part of celebrating the 10th anniversary of Harry’s Invictus Games, and provided a luxurious experience for the royal couple. Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, who was present on the flight with the Sussexes, also shared details of the exclusive travel arrangements. The chairman of Air Peace offered the free flights as a contribution to hosting the royal couple in Nigeria.
The free flights for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were a gesture of goodwill from Air Peace to support the successful hosting of the royal couple during their visit to Nigeria. While the airline’s owner, Dr. Allen Onyema, is facing serious allegations of fraud, there is no indication that the Sussexes were aware of his legal issues. The controversy surrounding the source of their complimentary flights has overshadowed their engagements during the tour, including their involvement in various events promoting mental health, women’s leadership, and sports for injured servicemen.
Criticism of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s carbon footprint from their free flights in Nigeria has reignited debates about their environmental impact despite their public advocacy for climate change action. Their choice to accept courtesy flights from an airline facing legal trouble raised questions about their commitment to sustainability. The royal couple’s extravagant travel arrangements, while being vocal about environmental issues, have drawn attention to the challenges of balancing personal lifestyles with the urgent need for environmental responsibility.
The controversy surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s flights in Nigeria reflects wider debates about the responsibilities of public figures in promoting sustainability. The scrutiny of their carbon emissions and the source of their courtesy flights highlight the complexities of navigating personal choices in line with public values. The Sussexes’ visit to Nigeria, coupled with the allegations against Air Peace’s owner, Dr. Allen Onyema, has underscored the challenges of balancing royal privileges with environmental accountability. Their trip, intended to support charitable causes and raise awareness, has sparked discussions about the implications of accepting luxury travel in the context of sustainability efforts.
