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Federal government through Ministry of Interior, today conferred Nigerian Citizenship on 286 foreign nationals in Abuja.
While conferring the citizenship to eligible nationals, President Muhammad Buhari, urged the new Nigerians to be of good conduct to their new nation they craved to be and integrates peacefully with their various communities of the government of their residence.
The President therefore, enjoined local government authorities of residence of new conferred citizens to make it easier for them to integrate and contribute to the development of their respective communities.
He further explained that at the initial stage of the process, Minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola presented the request of the committee on Nigerian Citizenship to the Federal Executive council which undergoes due process before it was graciously granted approval of two hundred and eighty six awardees.
President Buhari
subsequently congratulated new citizens and implored them to leave in peace and harmony with their respective communities.
Earlier in his welcome address, Minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, said the people who desired to be Nigerians came from Europe, Americas, Asia, Middle East, and Africa, practically from every part of the world, who saw the good in our land and the beauty of our people and system; and have decided to be part of us.
Adding that today’s conferment ceremony will be conducted for 286 foreigners who have gone through diligent checks by agencies of government as stipulated by the Constitution and have fulfilled all statutory and administrative requirements.
Aregbesola, inferred that Without any doubt, ours is a great nation, richly endowed; and blessed with great people, smart people continue to flock to our nation, to do business with us and have a sizeable slice of the Nigeria pie.
He added “our nation has therefore always been attractive to foreign nationals who have been so pleased to share in our dreams and destiny and we shall continue to welcome every qualify applicant that will add value to our nation”
Aregbesola, drew the attention of his audiences that is also a reminder of common human ancestry as these people came from distance land, from different race, religion ethnicity and other social affiliations and identity.
He however, said “irrespective of our circumstances of birth, what we share in common is our humanity and we can always have basis for deeper meaningful interaction and togetherness if we work at it”.
The Minister stated that “one of the objectives of our administration, the mandate given to us by Mr President is to lay solid socio-economic and political foundation that will thrust Nigeria into one of the 20 great economies of the world”
Aregbesola stressed that to achieve lofty vision, the government is determined to encourage and attract foreign investors, high net- worth individuals, highly skilled individuals and people of talents into the country.
Base on this, “we shall continue to encourage foreigners who meet the conditions stipulated to becoming Nigerian by laying seamless path to citizenship before them”
Dignitaries in attendance were the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha and Members of the Executive Council, the Permanent Secretary of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, the Wife of Minister of Interior Hajiya Sherifat Aregbesola and Directors of the Ministry of Interior.
Afonja Fatai Ajibola
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