Some of the 286 foreigners conferred with Nigerian citizenship have explained why they decided to become Nigerians at a time the country was going through problems.
It was gathered that 208 of them were conferred citizenship status by naturalisation and the remaining 78 by registration.
A German businessman, Mr Hubertus Diers, explained why he chose to become a Nigerian after 42 years traversing all the nook and cranny of the country.
Dier, who runs a company, DIPOX’ Industrial Flooring Solutions, said this after he was conferred with Nigerian citizenship at a ceremony held at the Federal Ministry of Interior, in Abuja.
The German is among the 286 foreigners including 86 Lebanese, 14 Britons, and four Americans conferred with Nigerian citizenship.
Diers disclosed that he applied for Nigerian citizenship over five years ago and was happy that his long-time dream had come to pass.
According to German, it will now be easier to run his business and live with his family.
“I have invested and founded a company in Nigeria. My first trip to Nigeria was in 1979; I have executed some projects in Umuahia, installing industrial floors for some companies and those floors are still in use to date.
“Over 42 years now I have been living mainly in Nigeria, I have many other opportunities and offers, but I did not follow up.
“In the 90s, I was in Ghana, but comparing its business life with that of Nigeria, it’s not the kind of country for my business.”
He also said that the number of years he had spent in Nigeria, business opportunities and the hospitable nature of Nigerians, made him apply to become a Nigerian.
“I have traversed all the nook and cranny of Nigeria, I can say I know Nigeria better than my life, installing industrial floors,“ he said.
Also, a Briton, Mr Jack Osankare, who has lived in Nigeria for about two decades, said he decided to seek Nigerian citizenship about 10 years ago, to enable him settle down as a Nigerian and go about his business seamlessly.
He expressed happiness now that his dream has come through.
“Nigeria is a country I so much love and would want to retire here. I love Nigerians because they are respectful, hospitable and treat foreigners like their brothers and sisters,” he said.
Another person, Mrs Darakhshan Khalid, a Pakistani, said she had been living in Nigeria over a decade ago shortly after getting married to her Pakistani husband.
She also said that she had been struggling to become a citizen of Nigeria over the years, but to no avail until now.
“I like everything about the country, its citizens, the environment generally. Nigerians are very accommodating and hospitable and I have always seen Nigeria as my second home,” Khalid said.
They all pledged to contribute meaningfully to the development of the country.
