The new citizens included nationals of Lebanon, United Kingdom, Canada, Niger, India, Italy, Philippine, Venezuela, Moroco and so on.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the President stated that the beneficiaries had met all the prescribed administrative and constitutional requirements before their application for citizenship was granted.
He said foreigners could be granted Nigerian citizenship either by registration or naturalisation if they had resided in the country for at least 15 years and had satisfied the Federal Executive Council that they were of good character, of full age and have contributed or are contributing meaningfully to the development of their community.
Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Interior and Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, stated that the awardees had proved beyond doubt that they were equal to the task of contributing to the growth of the nation.
He tasked the awardees as new citizens, to abide by the nation's ideals and to obey all legitimate authorities and make positive contributions to the advancement of their communities.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Alhaji Saidu Ozigis, said the grant of citizenship was a constitutional provision to honour deserving foreigners in consonance with the Citizenship Ordinance of 1960; Citizenship Act of 1961; Chapter II of the 1963 constitution, the constitution Suspension and Amendment Decree No. 33 of 1974 and Chapetr III of 1979 and 1999 constitution respectively.
He explained that the award of citizenship to the foreigners was a testimony of the administration's belief in globalisation which according to him, has broken down national boundaries through the constant movement of persons and interaction
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