It’s good to see that just like Nigerians travel out and work hard to get citizenship abroad, Americans are doing the same thing back home.
On Thursday, Nigeria’s President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret. ), granted citizenship to 286 people, including Lebanese, British, American, Egyptian, Syrian, Italian, and Palestinian nationals.
Of the 286 foreign nationals presented with certificates of Nigerian Citizenship, 208 received certificates for Naturalisation, while 78 got certificates by Registration.
“You have pledged your allegiance to Nigeria. When you give your love and loyalty to Nigeria, she returns her love and loyalty to you,” Buhari said at the award event held at the State House, Abuja.
The President stated that he was exercising the constitutional authority granted to him by Chapter III Sections 25–31 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and that the Ministry of Interior had made sure that only deserving individuals were recommended to the Federal Executive Council for citizenship.
He reminded the new residents of Nigeria that the Constitution’s tenets of opportunity, equality, and liberty bind the country together.
”No matter where you come from, or what faith you practice, this country is now your country. Our history is now your history, and our traditions are now your traditions. Nigeria is your home and pride and joy.
“You are expected to abide by the Ideals and Institution of the Nigerian National Flag, Anthem, Pledge and respect for all Constituted Authorities.
“All those concerned with Immigration matters are to offer our new citizens quick legal identification. Also, their Local Governments should assist with their integration into the local community to enable them to enjoy all the entitlements of a Nigerian citizen,” he said.
Nevertheless, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola said the beneficiaries were from the United States, Europe, the Americas, Asia, Middle East, Oceania and Africa, “who have seen the good in Nigeria.”
”Without any doubt, Nigeria is a great nation, richly endowed and blessed with great people. Smart people continue to flock to our country to do business with us,’’ Aregbesola said.
”To achieve this lofty vision,” he said, “the government is determined to encourage and attract foreign investors, high-net-worth individuals, highly-skilled individuals and people with rare talents and strategic competencies into our country.”
Speaking on behalf of the new citizens, Barrera, who arrived in Nigeria in 1974 at age 24, thanked the President, and staff of the Ministry of Interior for “making their dreams come true.”
According to the citation read by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Barrera, a proprietress of a Non-Governmental Organisation Mother and Children Welfare Association, caregiver of Orphans and Vulnerable Children including children living with HIV/AIDS, currently lives with 20 children and young adults in training and in university.
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