CITIZENSHIP

Citizenship

A citizen is defined as a legal member of a state with full constitutional or legal rights in the country in which he or she resides. It can also be seen as a person who is a legal member of and owes allegiance to a particular country he resides in which he enjoys full civil and political rights and be ready to put his life at stake in defence of its territory when the need arises.

ways of acquiring citizenship

a. By Birth

i. Anyone born in the country which his parents are citizens automatically becomes a citizen of that country. Again, in many countries anyone born in the country becomes a citizen whether or not his parents are citizens.

ii. Citizenship by descent

In some countries someone can become a citizen if he can show that his grandparents are or were citizens of the country. in such countries, just been born in the country does not automatically makes one  a citizen.
The person's parents or grandparent must also have been citizens of that country

b. Citizenship by registration or marriage

This is a method by which women acquired citizenship through marriage. For instance a Ghanaian woman married to a Nigerian may be registered as citizen of Nigeria. The woman must reside in Nigeria and should take the Oath of Allegiance and renounce her Ghanaian citizenship. Also if Nigerians living abroad adopt a child abroad they can register that child as a citizen of Nigeria.  A child who is bored by Nigerian Parents abroad, and is coming to Nigeria for the first time after the age of 18 can also register as a citizen of Nigeria.

c. Citizenship by naturalization

This is a citizenship acquired by foreigners in another country after they have met some requirements. Such requirements differ from one country to another.

d. Citizenship by Conquest 

After secessionist struggle or war, citizenship  of certain individuals may be changed by acquiring a new status. For instance, the citizenship of South Sudanese change immediately after its separation from Sudan

e.  Honorary citizenship

Honorary citizen is one whom the citizenship of another country is conferred as a mark of honour. Heads-of-state sometimes acquired this type of Citizenship. Former Nigeria’s president Goodluck Jonathan received such honour from Liberia

Conditions an alien must Satisfy before he can become a Citizen of another Country
1. The alien must have lived in the country for a long period of time which may range from 15 to 20 years

2. He or she must have good characters with an outstanding reputation.

3. The alien must have made or is capable of contributing useful to the  progress of the country.
4. The alien must renounce his former nationality.

5. The applicant for citizenship must take the Oath of Allegiance.

6. He or she must be an adult

7. Applicant must be a person that's acceptable to the local community, at least two persons must attest to his conduct.

Rights duties and obligations of a citizen

Rights are the privileges enjoyed by all citizens of a country. These includes

i. Right to life, which nobody is shall intentionally deprive a citizen

ii. Right to freedom from torture all degrading punishment

iii. Right to freedom from deprivation of personal liberty.

iv. Right to Dignity of human person write off underground of sex race tribe creed political opinion and association,

v. Right to fair and equal hearing, 

vi. Right to private and family life,

vii. Right To Freedom of movement,

viii. Right to peaceful Assembly and Association,

ix. Right To Freedom of expression  and the Press, 

x. Right to freedom of thought conscience and religion,

xi. Right to freedom from slavery and forced labour,

xii. Right to freedom from unlawful imprisonment, 

xiii. Right to ownership of property,  right to vote and be voted for in any given election,

xiv. Right to education, right to work and receive  commensurate compensation, 

xv. Right to hold public office is no matter how sensitive

Duties and Obligations

By Duty we mean those things a citizen is expected to do for the upkeep of government and for the state to continue to perform its functions to the Citizens. Obligations on the other hand involve citizens moral considerations in the discharge of their civil actions to make government more efficient. while  legal backing is needed for preforming duties, obligation on the other hand has moral backing. The following are duties/obligations of a citizen

1. Obedience to Rules and Regulations of the State: it is the obligation of every citizen to obey the rules and regulations guiding the community where he/she belongs. A good citizen must not break the rules/regulations of his community.

2. Payment of Taxes: a respective citizen must pay tax to the community which he/she belongs. This will help generate revenue to enable it provide social services for the society.

3. Defence of the Country during War: citizens are expected to be loyal and committed to their country at all times. Adult citizens must be prepared to defend their country against external attack during national crisis/war.

4. Proper use of Amenities: a good citizen should make good use of public properties made available by government. He/she should protect them and be ready to report to appropriate authorities in case of damage to any of the properties.

5. Participation in Public Affairs: all citizens should participate in civic duties like voting during elections etc.

6. Respect for National Symbols: showing respect for national symbols is an act of nationalism, which shows how much love one has for ones country. These include respect for leaders, standing up when singing the national anthem etc.

7. Respect for Traffic Rules: traffic rules are meant to be obeyed by all citizens irrespective of status.

8. Rendering Assistance to Victims of National Disaster: a good citizen is expected to play a selfless role during national disaster by assisting the victims.

 
Difference between a Citizen and Non-citizen

The rights of a citizen are irrevocable, while those of a non-citizen could be revoked at any time.

i. A citizen has a right to vote and be voted for. While an alien do not have the right to vote and be voted for.

ii. A citizen has full legal rights, while the legal rights of an alien are limited.

iii. A citizen can hold any public office while a non-citizen cannot hold any public office.

iv. The rights of a citizen are defined by the country's constitution, while and duties of a non-citizen are derived from international conventions hospitality of the Host country and immigration laws.

v. A citizen can do any job perform any Duty or engage in any legal business while a non-citizen is precluded from certain jobs duties and business for state security reasons.

vi. A citizen may be compelled b to join the Armed Forces in defence of the country. A non-citizen will not be so compelled. Indeed he is disqualified from joining the armed forces unless maybe as an adviser or and my mercenary.

vii. A non citizen can be deported if the need arises, while a citizen cannot be deported under any circumstance

viii. A citizen of Allegiance to the country while and non-citizen does not.