Nigeria Confers Citizenship On 286 Foreigners
In his remarks at the conferment ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Buhari revealed that the approval is in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) in Chapter III Sections 26 and 27.
A statement by Sola Fasure, the Media Adviser to the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said the President maintained that the Nigerian government is determined to move as many people as possible away from the label of statelessness into being citizens.
“The Federal Government will give the Ministry of Interior and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development all the support needed to eradicate statelessness.
“Therefore, through today’s ceremony, we are letting the world know that Nigeria is open and inviting you to come and enjoy all the natural resources God has blessed Nigeria with,” Buhari said.
He further enjoined new citizens to enjoy all rights and privileges within the confines of the law, conferred on them by their new status as Nigerians, while in the same vein fulfilling their obligations and responsibilities to Nigeria.
“I further urge you to make positive and useful contributions to the advancement, progress and well-being of the different communities you reside in and to be in one accord with our national ethics and code of conduct as new citizens.
“You are admonished to abide by the ideals and institution of the Nigerian National Flag, Anthem, Pledge and respect all constituted authorities.
“I implore all those concerned with Immigration matters to offer our new citizens quick legal identification. Their local governments should assist with integration into a community indigenous to Nigeria and therefore enable them to enjoy all the entitlements of a citizen,” he added.
On his part, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, assured that the 286 foreigners went through diligent checks by agencies of government as stipulated by the Constitution and fulfilled all statutory and administrative requirements.
Presenting all deserving foreign nationals to President Buhari for conferment of Nigerian citizenship, Aregbesola asserted that foreigners striving to become Nigerian citizens is an indication that the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government to make Nigeria a destination for investment and peaceful coexistence are yielding good fruits.
