NEWS
FG Confers Nigerian Citizenship on 286 Foreigners
The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja conferred Nigerian citizenship to 286 foreigners including 86 Lebanese, 14 Britons, and four Americans.
Newsmen report that the affected foreign nationals were conferred with the status of Nigerian citizenship by President Muhammadu Buhari following an approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Newsmen report that the deserving persons who signed to be Nigerians, 208 were conferred citizenship status by naturalization.
The remaining 78 were conferred with the same status by registration after they officially recited the oath of allegiance and the Nigerian national pledge.
Speaking at the event, Buhari directed the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to immediately issue the new Nigerians with certificates as appropriate.
This, he said, was to enable them to begin to enjoy the status conferred on them wherever they reside in the country.
Buhari urged them to endeavour to make positive contributions to the different communities they reside, and abide by the ideals of the nation.
He said that the ceremony was a constitutional requirement aimed at removing the tag of “statelessness” on every bonafide citizen of the country.
Buhari admonished them to be good ambassadors of the country while reciprocating the love and acceptance from the Nigerian people.
According to the Nigerian leader, as they have become bonafide citizens of Nigeria, the nation’s history will become their own history.
He said that only deserving persons were accorded with the right to citizenship after a painstaking assessment from the Nigerian government.
Earlier, Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, revealed that the foreigners had gone through a series of thorough checks by the nation’s security agencies before being considered qualified and deserving Nigerian citizenship.
He said the Federal government was determined to encourage high net-worth individuals as well as give recognition to other qualified foreigners in the country.
The minister said that this was in the bid to make Nigeria a destination of choice for investment opportunities.
The minister urged the new Nigerian citizens to guard their privileged status jealously.
He said that citizenship of Nigeria also conferred on them corresponding responsibilities to contribute their quotas to facilitate the development of Nigeria generally.
He said: ”Today’s ceremony is a reminder of our common human ancestry.
”These people came from near and distant lands, from different races, religion, ethnicity and other social affiliations and identities.
”However, irrespective of the circumstances of our birth, what we share in common is our humanity and we can always have the basis for deeper and more meaningful interaction and togetherness, if we work at it.
”What we are celebrating today therefore is the oneness of the human race.
“One of the objectives of our administration, the mandate given to us by Mr President, is to lay a solid socio-economic and political foundation that will thrust Nigeria into one of the 20 great economies of the world.”
According to him, to achieve this 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.
“We shall therefore continue to encourage foreigners who meet the conditions stipulated for becoming Nigerians, by laying a seamless path to citizenship before them.
”That we have so many people striving to become Nigerians is an indication that the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government to make Nigeria a destination for investment and peaceful coexistence is yielding good fruits.
”It is also an elixir of hope to all Nigerians that a great, secure, prosperous and peaceful horizon is ahead of us.
”Let us all therefore play our role in the scheme of things to accelerate the arrival of that beautiful era we all long for.
”I must remind our new citizens that the acquisition of the Nigerian citizenship is a great privilege since not everyone that applies becomes successful,”he said.
Aregbesola urged them to guard jealously their new status by being Nigerian in deed and truth, adding,”obeying the laws of the land, work hard and love your neighbour.
”Nigerians work hard and live life to the fullest, irrespective of their earthly estate.
”It will be my pleasure to see you dissolve into this wonderful blend within the shortest possible time.
“Citizenship carries its own duty. Just as there are privileges, there are also responsibilities,” he said.
According to the minister, Nigeria, like other nations of the world, has its own challenges, but these are not insurmountable.
”Citizens have a role to play. You all have talents and human endowments,” he said.
The conferment ceremony was the first to take place since 2018. (NAN)
NEWS
New Medical Doctor Appreciates Ex-Reps Deputy Chief Whip, Hon Adekoya for University Sponsorship
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
A fresh graduate medical doctor from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Dr Ogunmakinju Oluwaseun, has expressed touching appreciation to a former Deputy Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon Adesegun Abdel-Majid Adekoya, for the full sponsorship of his university education.
Hon Adekoya is the founder of Prince Abdel-Majid Foundation (PAM Foundation), a non-governmental organisation engaged in uplifting Nigerians, especially the less privileged, children, youths and women.
In an open letter of appreciation, Dr Ogunmakinju Oluwaseun, said his dream of becoming a medical doctor would have been a mirage if it not for the support of Hon Adekoya who stood by him in the past six years.
He declared that Hon Adekoya, popularly known as Attacker from his football-playing days as a youth, took over the full sponsorship of his university education without allowing him to pay a dime.
He also added that through the mentorship of Hon Adekoya he was able to emerge as the President of OOU Students Union.
He declared that his stint as SUG President has already instilled leadership qualities in him.
Dr Ogunmakinju Oluwaseun wrote: “Dear Rt. Hon. Abdul-Majid Adekoya Adesegun, I write with a heart full of gratitude to sincerely appreciate you for being the sole benefactor of my academic journey.
“From my very first day in 100 Level to my final year in 600 Level, your generosity through the scholarship you granted me has been the bedrock of my success.
“Today, by the grace of God and through your unwavering support, I have emerged as a qualified medical doctor. This achievement is not mine alone; it is a testament to your belief in me, your investment in my future, and your commitment to empowering the next generation.
“Words cannot fully capture the depth of my appreciation, but I pray that the Almighty rewards you abundantly, grants you good health, and continues to bless your endeavors.
“Your kindness has not only changed my life but has also inspired me to be a source of help to others, just as you have been to me.
“Thank you for making my dream a reality.”
Ogunmakinju Oluwaseun added: “I wish to sincerely appreciate ATTACKER for taking full responsibility for my tuition fees from 100 Level to 600 Level — without allowing me to pay a dime.
“This rare and life-changing opportunity, made possible through the Prince Abdul Majid Foundation (PAM Foundation), is something I will forever hold in deep gratitude.
“Today, after 6 years of rigorous training, I proudly stand as a Medical Doctor, awaiting the privilege of taking the Hippocratic Oath soon.
“Beyond academics, the leadership lessons I gained under the mentorship of Rt. Hon. Adekoya gave me the edge to emerge as OOU Students’ Union Government President.
“And academically, I am proud to have made a Distinction in of of the courses I offered during my journey through medical school.
“Thank you for believing in me, investing in my dreams, and giving me the platform to grow both as a leader and a scholar.”
By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed deep concern over the reported extortion of over N56 million from farmers in Zamfara State by armed groups as well as the chilling video of an entire village in Ifelodun Local Government of Kwara State, completely abandoned to bandits.
The party noted that Nigeria, under President Tinubu and the APC is sliding into a dangerous new phase of state failure. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, on Friday, the party said a situation where farmers had to pay money to terrorists before they could gain access to their own farmlands, is not just a Zamfara tragedy, but a national warning.Abdullahi said that a situation where people had to abandon an entire town to bandits, in the very heart of the country, is not just a local challenge but an evidence of national surrender. “When armed gangs can collect N56 million from farmers for the ‘right’ to plant food, the issue is no longer about insecurity. It is about criminal elements contesting the right to govern a part of Nigeria. When criminals can tax citizens at gunpoint, it means the state has surrendered its monopoly of force and state authority is in retreat.” The statement said it is discouraging that this could be happening in a country with one of the largest defence budgets in Africa, yet its farmers were left to bargain with warlords for their survival. It recalled that in the same Zamfara state only a few days ago about 50 people were abducted in one swoop, saying that added to this is the eerie picture of an entire town where all the people, the young, the old and the infirm had to seek refuge elsewhere for fear of bandits attacks. Abdullahi said there were other cases which showed alarming pattern suggesting that other parts of the country considered safe may not be so for long. “The pertinent question therefore is whether the Tinubu-led APC government is still in charge and can still be trusted to do its most fundamental duty, which is to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians. “We recall that in November 2014, President Bola Tinubu, leader of opposition party at the time, asked President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over the Boko Haram Challenges in The North-East of the country. His words: “If you control the armed forces and you are the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, why should any part of this country be under occupation? And you give us excuses every day. In any civilized country Jonathan should have resigned.”He said though the security situation that President Tinubu was using to campaign in 2014 had multiplied exponentially under his party and is currently enjoying great prosperity under his direct watch, no one is calling on him to resign. “The ADC does not want President Tinubu to resign. We only ask him to do his job. We also ask the pertinent question, why did the President think that the security situation in Rivers State warranted the declaration of state of emergency, but the one in Zamfara with industrial scale kidnapping and a direct challenge to the authority of the Nigerian State by way of bandit tax does not even deserve a direct comment from him,” the statement asked.It urge President Tinubu to drop whatever else that pre-occupied him and direct his attention to Zamfara State and other parts of the country menaced by bandits. “If the Tinubu administration cannot guarantee the safety of our farms and farming communities, if people could be forced to abandon their homes out of fear, then it has failed in its most basic responsibility. You cannot boast that you are in charge of your country while your citizens are negotiating their survival with criminals.”
The Oyo State Government has denied a notice currently circulating among pensioners concerning a supposed verification exercise. This is contained in statement in Ibadan on Friday by the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Prof. Salihu Adelabu. Adelabu described as fake any message requesting pensioners to submit photocopies of their pension certificate, account details, and phone numbers to the ministry.
He urged pensioners to ignore such messages and remain vigilant against misinformation targeting retirees. He emphasised that the ministry would contact eligible individuals only when it is their turn to receive their benefits. The Commissioner added that all official information is communicated solely through recognised and credible channels. Adelabu advised pensioners to verify any suspicious message before acting, and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to retirees’ welfare. He said the government would continue to uphold transparency and due process in pension and gratuity matters. He also called on the public to share only verified information, saying protecting pensioners from fraud is a shared duty. (NAN)
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