Government

NIGERIA GRANTS CITIZENSHIP TO 82 IMMIGRANTS.

NIGERIA GRANTS CITIZENSHIP TO 82 IMMIGRANTS.

The Nigerian government has approved the granting of citizenship to 82 foreigners. Out of this number,   38 were granted citizenship by naturalization while the remaining 44 received citizenship by registration.Fifty-four other foreigners, who also sought to become Nigerian citizens, were however not successful as their applications were stepped down due to what the Federal Executive Council described as “inappropriate clearance reports.” In a related development, President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed regret over the inability of Nigerians in the Diaspora to vote in the 2011 elections. He, however, assures that the Federal Government will put all machinery in motion to ensure that in 2015, their votes count. He also assured that more distinguished Nigerians in the Diaspora will be considered subsequently for inclusion in the National Honors’ list, beginning from the next edition, through nominations from Nigerian missions overseas.

AN IMMIGRANT ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE LAW.A man facing his third deportation order from Canada pleaded guilty to eight fraud-related charges in an Edmonton court this week, adding to his already lengthy criminal record in Canada. Frank Ejira Otoroh, 39, will be deported immediately after completing two jail terms for his latest frauds and for entering Canada without authorization.He was sent to Nigeria in 2006 and 2007 but somehow made his way back to Canada, where his wife lives. Otoroh’s latest charges stem from two incidents at  Edmonton-area banks.

THE MOSQUE CONTROVERSY: EVERYBODY IS RIGHT.A mosque comprising of an Islamic cultural center that is about to be built in lower Manhattan, some blocks from where the World Trade Center was. The mosque issue has metamorphosed into a national political debate, with many politicians already taking advantage of what is going on. The issue from the view of those opposed to the building of the mosque, is that allowing the plan to actualize is not caring for the feelings and sensitivity of 9/11 families and that of most Americans. Opinion polls show that most people are not comfortable with the building of a mosque close to Ground Zero. As long as the country operates democracy, the peoples’ feelings and sensitivity cannot be ignored.  Ignoring the feelings and sensitivity of the majority is a very big risk politically for any politician or any political party to take.Those supporting the building of the mosque also have a case. Their argument is that the constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Prominent people like Mayor Michael Bloomberg and President Barack Obama have spoken publicly in support of freedom of religion.President Barack Obama has sworn to always abide by the constitution of the country at all times. So the president has not done anything wrong in supporting the building of mosques anywhere in the country, including Ground Zero. In reality, the position of the constitution is also the position of President Barack Obama but this stand is not good for him and his party as the elections are approaching. He should also know that people feel more than they think, nobody is thinking about the constitution now, so it is advisable for him to stay out of this hot and controversial issue.

Olakunle O. Bolarinwa,Is a Nightline Family Member Of The Voice Of America {VOA}.E-mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it