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President Goodluck
Jonathan has advised naturalised Nigerians to discharge their
fundamental obligations and responsibilities faithfully, loyally and
honestly, to enable them serve their new country better.

He said this in
Abuja yesterday at the presentation of Citizenship Certificates of
Naturalisation and Registration to 82 foreign nationals and expressed
the hope that the beneficiaries will justify the confidence reposed in
them by the government and people of Nigeria.

The president spoke
through the Minister of Interior, who was represented by the Minister
of State for Interior, Humprey Abbah urged them to exhibit exemplary
behaviour in their conduct as Nigerian citizens.

“The president has
given you visa to be full citizens of Nigeria and it is now up to you
to discharge your conduct and loyalty to your new country( Nigeria )”,
the Minister said.

He further said the
exercise has also affirmed the status of Nigeria as a respected member
of the international community, committed to international laws.

The president said
in spite of differences in race, creed and colour, humanity is one and
the difference between nations should be attributed more to the
pursuits of national interests as against the exploitations of
primordial sentiments.

He said the process of naturalisation helps in bringing countries closer and thereby reducing conflicts.

“We must therefore take advantage of occasions of this nature to contribute our quota to the achievement of world peace.”

Place in the world

Mr Abbah in his
contribution said the federal government has continued to give Nigeria
a new image through the execution of many projects that are intended to
leave a legacy for many generations..

He said one of the objectives of the federal government is to lay a

solid foundation
that will turn Nigeria into one of the 20 great economies of the world
by the year 2020. “To achieve this global vision, the government is
determined to encourage and attract foreign investments into the
country,” he added.

Out of the 82
persons that were given certificates of citizenship, 38 are by
naturalisation, 44 by Registration while 15 are past approvals
communicated after last year’s ceremony .