The Federal government has conferred Nigerian citizenship on 385 foreigners who applied and qualified either by naturalization or registration.

President Muhammadu Buhari who conferred the citizenship on the foreigners yesterday in Abuja, said the conferment is a testament to the efforts government is making to make Nigeria investor attractive and a tourism destination for many.

Represented by vice President Yemi Osinbajo, he said the task of “nation building is not a walk in the Park nor is it a day’s work.”

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola explained that government is determined to encourage and attract foreigners; investors, resourceful individuals and people with rare talents and unbounded energy into the country.

He said “Today’s conferment ceremony will be granted to 385 foreigners who have gone through diligent checks by the relevant agencies of state as stipulated by the Constitution and have fulfilled all statutory and administrative requirements.

“I need to state that the acquisition of the Nigerian citizenship is a great privilege and not everyone that applies becomes successful.

“However, that we have a high number of foreigners willing to become Nigerians is an indication that the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government to make Nigeria a destination for investment and peaceful coexistence is beginning to yield good fruits as we continue to welcome foreigners to do business.”

Permanent Secretary Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore, pointed that “The Economic contributions of these awardees to their local communities and Nigeria’s development was a key criterion in arriving at decision to grant Nigerian Citizenship to these successful Foreign Nationals out of numerous applications received by the ministry.

“Mr President, among the 385 deserving foreign nationals are 317 whom have been granted citizenship by Naturalization and 68 by Registration. Among them are people of American, Canadian, Italian and Lebanese extraction to mention a few. This shows that despite our challenges as a nation, Nigeria remains a destination for hospitality, tourism and investments.

[Guardian]