Citizenship by Eguriase S. M. Okaka

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Citizenship
By Eguriase S. M. Okaka Citizen A citizen is a person who has legal right to belong to a particular nation or country. It can also been seen as a person who belong to a particular country and can claim the rights provided for in the constitution. Any person born in Nigeria or outside Nigeria either of whose parent is a Nigeria is a citizen of Nigeria for example, a child born in Canada by Bini parent is a Nigerian citizen. People who are not citizens of a country but lives in the country legally are called foreigners. Concept of Citizenship The concept of citizenship involves the rights and duties expected to be enjoyed and performed by a citizen among which are the right to vote, the need to pay taxes and pledge allegiance to the country. Citizenship Citizenship is the act of being a member, citizen or national of a particular nation or country. It conveys a status of being a citizen alongside the rights, duties and privileges which goes with it. Types of Citizenship There are two types of citizenship and these are: • Single citizenship • Dual citizenship Single Citizenship: This is when a person is a citizen of a particular country and pledges his or her allegiance only to the country. For example, Mr. jay Jay Okocha, the great footballer, has single citizenship; and he pledged his allegiance to Nigeria throughout his career in football. He represented only Nigeria in international football competitions. Dual Citizenship refers to the status of an individual who holds the nationality of two different countries at the same time. This is when a person who is a citizen of a particular country acquires the citizenship of another country either through registration or naturalization. For example, when a Nigerian citizen living in United Kingdom also acquires a British citizenship he or she is said to have dual citizenship. Dual citizenship or dual nationality is a person’s citizenship status, in which a person is concurrently regarded as a citizen of more than one country under the law of these countries. Some countries do not allow their citizens to have dual citizenship. They include: China, Japan, India, etc., countries which permit dual citizenship includes Canada, Australi, Cyprus, Bangladesh, United States, and United Kingdom etc. Benefits of Dual Citizenship • Two passports. You are allowed to carry passport of both counties. • Property ownership. Ability to own property in both countries. Disadvantages of Dual Citizenship • Exposed to double taxation. (The person has to pay taxes in more than one country). • Lengthy and expensive process (complicated process) to acquire the status. • Military service: Mandatory military service can create challenges for a person with dual citizenship. • Limited assistance from abroad: As a dual citizen, you are bound by laws of two countries; and either of them has the right to enforce its laws on you. • Dual obligation. Acquisition of Citizenship • Citizenship by Birth • Citizenship by Registration • Citizenship by Naturalization Citizenship by Birth: This is when someone is a citizen of a nation or country by the fact that he or she was born in the country. For example, a person born in Nigeria before or after Nigeria Independence on 1st October, 1960 either of whose parents or grandparents belongs to a community in Nigeria is a Nigerian citizen. A person born by Nigeria parents automatically becomes a Nigerian by birth. Citizenship by Registration: It is sometimes called citizenship by marriage. This type of citizen by registration can be obtained by any of the following persons: a) By a foreign woman married to a Nigerian man. For example, when a Nigerian man marries a South African or American woman, the woman automatically or legally becomes a Nigerian citizen. b) A foreign child adopted by Nigeria parents. This could happen when a Nigerian adopts a Ghanaian child legally. The child eventually becomes a Nigerian. c) By anyone who is of age born outside Nigeria who has either one or both parents has a citizen of Nigerian. Citizenship by Naturalization: Citizenship by naturalization is a process whereby an individual (person) from a country is formally granted citizenship by another country. It is acquired by foreigners (non citizen) who meet the requirement stipulated in the immigration and national act of the country. Requirements needed by a Foreigner to become a Nigerian Citizen There are conditions to be met by foreigners who desires citizenship by naturalization, and these are: • The person must apply by writing to the president of the country seeking to be a citizen of Nigeria and requesting to be granted certificate of naturalization. • The person must be of full age. It means he or she must be an adult of 18 years and above. • The person must be of good character. It implies that he or she is not a criminal and has lived in Nigeria for at least 15years. • Renounces his or her citizenship of the former country. Renunciation of citizenship means a situation whereby a person renounces and formally withdraws his citizenship of his country. • He is familiar with Nigeria languages and customs. • Has a viable means of livelihood and ready to contribute meaningfully to the growth and progress of the country. • He must be prepared to obey the law of the land and take an oath of allegiance. Conditions needed to Obtain Citizenship of another Country There are some conditions required to obtain citizenship of another country. They include: • The person must be an adult. • The person must stay in that country for a specified period of time. • He or she has contributed to the growth and development of his or her community of residence. • Must be of good character. • Must swear an oath of allegiance. Withdrawal of Citizenship Withdrawal of citizenship means that the citizenship status is taken away from a foreigner that acquired citizenship of a country by naturalization. The certificate of citizenship granted by naturalization to a foreigner may be withdrawn when the following happens: • If the person is found to have made false declaration in his or her application. This means he had sworn to false allegiance. • The person is sentenced to prison for a jail term of 3 years and above during the early years of acquiring the citizenship status. • If the person is found to be a saboteur to national development and progress. • If the person conduct himself in ways disloyal to the country. • If he or she act as a spy or assist the enemy against the country where he or she acquired citizenship. Forms of Citizenship Forms of citizenship are classified into the following: • Good citizen • Passive citizen • Bad citizen Good Citizens: A good citizen is a person who obeys the law of the land, respect others, helping to safeguard public properties, obeys traffic rules, etc. he put others before self and help to improve the standard of living in the community where resides. Characteristics of a good citizen One is said to be a good citizen of a country if he does the following: • Obeys the laws of the land • Respect constituted authority, obeying and respecting government officials and their agencies. • Contributes to society and community development. A good citizen will help in keeping the environment clean and also collaborate with others to ensure that there is peace and security in the society. • Pays his taxes, bills, rates and dues • He is loyal to his country • He shuns crime and also helps to prevent crimes from being committed. • Ready to fight against external enemies in defense of his own country. • Be honest in words, and uphold peace and orderliness in his community. Qualities of a Typical Good Citizen There are some qualities of a typical good citizen which include: • Self-control: A good citizen controls himself at home and in public no matter the pressure and pains he is going through. He controls his temper at all times. • Being honest: He always tell the truth, and avoid stealing, cheating, etc. • Exercise of franchise: A good citizen exercises his franchise by going out to vote in an election that brings in our elected leaders such as the President, Governor, Senator, House of Representatives members, House of Assembly members, Chairman, of Local Government Councils and their Councilors. • Self-sacrifice: Every good citizen ensures personal sacrifice for the country to move forward. Some footballers make a lot of sacrifices for representing the country in spite of the little allowances they are paid, and Nigerian army officers defend the country with their blood against internal and external enemies in spite of not being properly equipped. • Loyalty: A good citizen has the quality of being faithful in his support for his country at all times and in all areas of development and interest. • Patriotism: This is the love for one’s country and the willingness to defend it. A patriotic citizen will always defend and contribute to the peace, progress, stability and development of his country. • Sincere performance of duties: A good citizen does the work or job assigned to him with his sincere mind and heart to achieve positive results that will move the country forward. He performs his duties accordingly and always gets the praise of everyone and the authority. PASSIVE CITIZENS A passive citizen is a person that accepts what happens or what people do without trying to change anything or oppose them. He has a lukewarm attitude towards community matter. He is always complaining about issues or matters that concern his environment and the country. He does not vote but complains about payment of taxes and bills, etc. BAD CITIZEN A bad citizen is a person who disobeys the laws of the land, involves in crimes, fails to pay taxes, indulge in corrupt practices and mismanagement of public funds, etc. Characteristics of Bad Citizen • Disloyalty to his country • Disobeying the laws of the land • Evades tax payment • Disrespectful to constituted authority i.e. not obeying government officials and agents • Getting involved in corruption and mismanagement of public funds. • Fails to perform his civic responsibilities. • Destroys government properties, and work against government interest • Involvement in criminal acts, etc. Questions • Define citizenship • List two types citizenship and explain them • List three ways of acquiring citizenship  Explain citizenship by: a) Birth b) Naturalization  List seven conditions or requirement needed by a foreigner to become a Nigerian citizen. a) What is withdrawal of citizenship? b) How can a foreigner acquire a Nigerian citizenship and lose it?  List three forms of citizenship and explain one of them a) list five qualities of a good citizen b) list five characteristics of a good citizen c) list four characteristics of a bad citizen. 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