TheCable

The federal government has granted citizenship to 335 foreign nationals, including Iara Oshiomhole, wife of former Edo state governor, who is from Cape Verde.

Abdulrahman Dambazau,‎ minister of interior, presented the certificates to the new citizens in Abuja on Tuesday and charged them to be good ambassadors of the country.

Dambazau said out of over 500 foreigners that applied, the federal executive council (FEC) considered 335 applicants.

He explained that 245 of the foreigners approved were granted Citizenship by‎ naturalisation while 90 were by registration, mainly foreign women married to Nigerians.

“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.

The minister said that the approval was part of government’s effort on the ‘Ease of doing business in Nigeria’ and boosting Nigeria’s image in line with international best practice.

Damabazau said the last time such ceremony was conducted was in December, 2013 and pledged to ensure its sustenance on an annual basis for proper scrutiny.

Lamabert Shumbusho, from Rwanda, who responded on behalf of the recipients, thanked the federal government and pledged their loyalty and commitment to the development of Nigeria.

Other recipients include nationals from Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, China and some African countries, most of whom are business moguls who have been operating in Nigeria for years.

The ministry of interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) are charged with the responsibility of processing applications for naturalisation from foreign nationals who have stayed/lived in Nigeria for a minimum of 15 years and those by registration who are mainly married to Nigerians.