By Blueprint
Wife of the immediate past governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomole, Mrs. Lara Oshiomhole, who is from Cape Verde, yesterday in Abuja, joined other 334 foreign nationals granted citizenship by the federal government after statutory clearance and due diligence by the relevant security agencies.
Other recipients include nationals from Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, China and some African countries, most of whom were business moguls who had been operating in Nigeria for years.
While at the presentation of certificates of citizenship to the foreigners Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, who presented the certificates of citizenship to the foreigners, saying 335 applicants were approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in January, out of the over 500 foreigners that applied, charged the new citizens to be law abiding.
“Let me say that application for the Citizenship of Nigeria which can be by Naturalisation or Registration is provided for in Chapter 3, Sections 26 and 27 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’’ the minister explained.
Dambazzau said the approval was part of government’s efforts on the “ease of doing business in Nigeria” and boosting Nigeria’s image in line with international best practice.
He tasked the “new Nigerian citizens” to be of good conduct, respect the rights and customs of their communities and contribute to the development of Nigeria.
Damabazau who said that the last time such ceremony was conducted was in December, 2013 also pledged to ensure its sustenance on an annual basis for proper scrutiny.
Responding on behalf of the recipients, Dr Lamabert Shumbusho, from Rwanda, thanked the federal government and pledged their loyalty and commitment to the development of Nigeria.
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