Posted by Chester Morton / Thursday 14 April 2016 / No comments
Who is a citizen and how is citizenship acquired?
CITIZENSHIP
Definition
A citizen is
a person who has all the legal rights to live in a country and enjoy all the
benefits that are accorded the citizens of that country. The citizen, in return, must fulfill certain
basic obligations to the state.
HOW IS
CITIZENSHIP ACQUIRED
Birth
A person is
born in a particular country, he/she becomes a citizen of that country whether
the parents come from that country or not. This works very well in the United
States. There is an automatic United States citizenship conferred on anybody
born within the borders of the United States of America.
Descent
This happens
when the depending on the citizenship of his parents and ancestors. In other
words, when the parents of a person is citizen of a country, whether he /she is
born in that country or not, that person can still claim the citizenship of
that country just because his ancestors come from that country. For example, if
one is born in the United States of America to Nigerian parents, that person,
though an American by birth, can still claim Nigerian citizenship by descent.
Naturalization
In this
instance, a person who is not originally a citizen of a country could formally
apply, mostly to the Immigration Services Department or similar authorities of
a country to be granted the citizen of that country if he or she meets the
entire legal requirement.
Marriage and
registration
A man or a woman who is married and live in the spouse’s country can apply for the
citizenship of the country in which they are resident. This is the case in many
countries. The non-citizen spouse may
apply to the relevant authorities of the country of residence to become a
citizen. Once the necessary requirements are met, citizenship is granted.
Honorary
gesture
In
recognition of the contributions of an individual to the development of a
country, an honorary citizenship could be conferred on an individual by the
host country.
Foundling
An abandoned
but found minor can become the citizen of the country in which he or she was
found. this can only happen if the parents of the found minor cannot be traced.
SAMPLE
QUESTION(S)
1. a. Who is
a citizen?
b. Highlight five ways in which a person
can become a citizen of a country?
2. Highlight
six methods by which an individual can become a citizen of a country.
3. What five
factors qualify an individual as a citizen of a state?
4. a. Who is
a citizen of a country?
b. Highlight five means by which
citizenship can be acquired.
