GST 121 NOTE 9 CITIZENSHIP AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES.docx

**CITIZENSHIP AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES** **INTRODUCTION** The concept of citizenship is not new in today\'s world. In fact, citizenship education and training has become a key aspect of educational systems all over the world. Citizenship is often understood as referring to the relationship betwe...

**CITIZENSHIP AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES** **INTRODUCTION** The concept of citizenship is not new in today\'s world. In fact, citizenship education and training has become a key aspect of educational systems all over the world. Citizenship is often understood as referring to the relationship between the individual or collective and the State. It comprises a wide range of issues and elements including the rights and privileges, duties or responsibilities and obligations of a citizen in a given Country. No wonder, it is typically said that the hope and future of any responsible government or Country lies in making her citizens acknowledge and cultivate the commitment to pursue their civic duties or responsibilities and protect their collective rights and privileges (Ejere & Abasilim, p. 161). This chapter focuses on citizenship and civic responsibilities in Nigeria. **CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATION OF CITIZENSHIP** The term citizenship is traced to the Latin word \"*civitas*\" which basically means membership of a place. A **citizen** is \"a person owing loyalty/allegiance to and entitled by birth or naturalization to the protection of a State or union\". The word \'citizen\' is frequently used to refer to the membership of a State or Country and it is connected with rights and obligations in ancient Athens. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a citizen is a person who has full rights in a country. For Smith (1995, as cited in Ejere & Abasilim, 2014, p. 162) a citizen is a person with political rights to participate in processes of popular self-governance. In a similar vein, Alapiki (2010) defines a citizen as a full member of a State who enjoys, if qualified by age, residence and other lesser requirements, full political and legal rights and privileges in a State. A citizen is a person who is enjoying full political and civil rights and owing specified duties to a State, often because he was born in its territory or because of the nationality of his/her parents (Chaturvedi, 2006). Similarly, a citizen can be defined as someone who has rights in a State which he/she is entitled to either by the fact of birth or acquisition which other residents within a State may not be entitled. This differentiates a citizen from an alien/foreigner. Thus, for aliens/foreigners to acquire citizenship status, they are required to fulfill certain residency requirements before they could be considered as naturalized citizens (Ayam, 2004, p. 60). There is need to distinguish between a citizen and an alien/foreigner and also between a citizen and a subject; though they are all found in a State. A citizen is a person who owes his/her allegiance to the State where he or she resides but an alien/foreigner is a person who resides in a State, but owes allegiance to some other State. For instance, the Chinese nationals residing in Nigeria owe their allegiance to China and not Nigeria (Ejere & Abasilim, 2014, p. 162). Secondly, a citizen of a State enjoys all civil and political privileges of that State, but an alien/foreigner does not enjoy all or full civil and political privileges of the State they reside in. In fact, they are denied the political privileges such as the right to vote. A member of a State where a monarchical form of government predominates is usually called subject. This type of government is the oldest form of governance and was very popular in the past but its practice has greatly declined in modern times. Essentially, it is rule by one person- a monarch (by whatever name called: King, Queen, Emperor, Sultan, Emir, Oba, Ovie, Okobaro, Olu) on whom the legislative, executive and judicial powers of State are vested. The monarchical form of government is usually hereditary, though there are also elective types-but, these are rare (Ejere, 2010). However, citizens and aliens/foreigners are bound to obey the laws of the State in which they reside. From the foregoing definitions of citizen, one can state abundantly clear that a person is recognized and acknowledged by a Country as being her citizen because such person possesses certain characteristics (for instance, being born-in that country, qualified by age and residence) which entitles him or her to some rights and also obligations in that Country. Some of the rights are political rights such as the right to vote and be voted for, to participate in the process of popular self-governance and so on. In addition, there are certain requirements to be satisfied by individuals who want to become a member of a particular country. The requirements to become a Nigerian citizen differ from those specified for becoming an American citizen. For example, for someone to be a naturalized citizen of Nigeria, such individual must be at least 18 years and must have resided in Nigeria for at least 15 years, is of good character, plans to remain in Nigeria, is familiar with Nigeria languages and customs, has a viable means of support and has renounced previous citizenship. While for individuals that want to be a naturalized citizen of America; the person has to be 18 years of age or older, be a permanent resident for a certain period of time (usually 5 years, person of good moral character who has a basic knowledge of U.S. government), has a period of continuous residence and physical presence in the United States, be able to read, write and speak basic English. There are exceptions to this rule: for someone who at the time of filling is 55 years old and has been a permanent resident for at least 15 years or is 50 years old and has been a permanent resident for at least 20 years or has a permanent physical or mental impairment that makes the individual unable to fulfill these requirements. By virtue/reason of this understanding, citizenship is simply a state of being a member of a particular Country. It suggests or implies a situation of being an integral part of one\'s own geo-political community, entitled to full rights and privileges which non-citizens cannot enjoy. In fact, generally all national constitution stipulates the requirements or criteria which one must satisfy and also the conditions to be fulfilled by aliens/foreigners who want to acquire citizenship of a Country (Umoh, 2010, p. 98). In the same manner, Chaturvedi (2006, p. 45) posits that citizenship consists not merely in enjoying certain rights and guarantees, but also in discharging one\'s obligations conscientiously. There should be a desire to contribute one\'s mite to the welfare of the society manifested in an active participation in public affairs and the improvement of cultural, economic, political and material aspects of social life. Without such participation, citizenship becomes meaningless. Furthermore, Alapiki (2010, p. 17) regards citizenship as \"the right to have rights\". He opines that closely related to the right to freedom is the right to citizenship and that citizenship is derived from the concept of nationality and every State has the right to define who its nationals are, for the purpose of, according to them, rights provision and protection as well as extracting obedience from them. According to Mahajan (2006, p. 309) what constitutes citizenship today is not direct participation in administration, but allegiance to the State in which a citizen resides and enjoys political privileges. By allegiance to the State, it is meant the respect of the citizen for the basic ideals of the State and willingness to defend the State in the time of crisis. Thus, citizenship has three major features or qualities which are: (i) allegiance to the State; (ii) enjoyment of civil and political rights and (iii) the desire to promote general happiness and common well-being of the State he/she resides in. This is in accordance with what Bryce (1922, as cited in Ejere & Abasilim, 2014, p.165) identified as qualities of a good citizen. According to him, a good citizen is someone who possesses the following qualities, namely \"intelligence, self-control and conscience\". By intelligence he meant that a citizen must have a strong common sense and the capacity to understand properly the interest of the community to which he or she belongs. For self-control, he or she must know how to subordinate his private interests to the general interest of the society and for the quality of conscience; a good citizen must be committed or devoted to his/her duty, create a sense of responsibility and service towards the community he/she resides in. A good citizen is expected to discharge his duties honestly and diligently. He/she should always be ready and willing to render every kind of service to the community where he/she resides. He further stated some hindrances to good citizenship. According to him; indolence, private self-interest and party spirit stands in the way of citizens realizing the ideals of good citizenship. By indolence, citizens are indifferent to their rights and duties and are too much preoccupied with their private safety and security that would in the long term lead to the downfall of democracy. For self-interest, most citizens are commonly guided by self-interest and by so doing such individuals shirks/neglects his/her public responsibilities or ignores general welfare. While for party spirit, most citizens work in a party spirit rather than the national interest and so on. Nonetheless, the term citizenship applies to the status enjoyed by the nationals of a Country who are recognized as full legal members of the State. A citizen could likewise be seen as a native-born or naturalized inhabitant of a City or State who is entitled to certain rights and privileges denied others, and who, in turn, assumes the responsibilities attached to such rights by the authorities granting the citizenship (Umukoro & Okon, 2008, p.1). Sokoh and Ojo (2014, p. 82) hold that the term citizen expresses the status of a person that possesses full, social, political and legal rights in a country. The citizen possesses a full right that entitles him or her to vote or be voted for in that State's elections. He/she can politically and legally lay claim to the identity of a particular State or Nation. This illustrates or demonstrates why it is said that citizenship is the term by which we express the status of persons who possess full legal and political rights in a State or Country. Those who are not accorded the citizenship status are called aliens or foreigners. Some scholars refer to them as "*birds of passage*" (Sokoh & Ojo, 2014, p. 83). This differentiates a citizen from a non-citizen or an alien/foreigner. It is pertinent to mention that there are "*passive citizens"* as well as *"active citizens."* A passive citizen is someone who does not support the policies and programmes of his or her Country which are meant for the social, economic as well as the political wellbeing of the Country. On the contrary, that citizen who backs and supports graciously or wisely the policies and programmes which are meant for the social, political and economic development of his or her country is referred to as active citizen (Guaba, 2004, as cited in Sokoh & Ojo, 2014, p. 83). **RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE AND ITS CITIZENS** Furthermore, there is an intrinsic relationship between the State and its citizens. One cannot exist without the other. In fact, the State is the spring of good life for its citizens. It is undoubtedly or unquestionably for that reason that the ancient Greeks held the view that the State came into existence for the sake of life, and will continue for the sake of good life. While the citizens on their part are expected to hold allegiance to the State and perform certain duties, responsibilities and obligations to it, the State is expected to provide the needs of its citizens. Essentially, the relationship between a citizen and his or her country is that of "give and take relationship." The implication of this is that citizenship involves responsibilities as well as demands on both allegiance and loyalty from citizens, the result of which is respect for national symbols. In addition to this, the citizens also pay taxes as at when due. The government or State in return for the services rendered by the citizens provides the basic needs of the citizenry. This is the meaning of the "give and take" relationship between the State and its citizens. This is to say that citizenship underlines a reciprocal relationship which exists between a Country and its citizens and the said relationship requires exchange of rights and duties, as well as privileges and obligations. Therefore, citizenship, according to Heywood (1975, as cited in Olutobi, 2006) "is the relationship between the individual and the State in which the two are bound together by reciprocal rights and duties". **THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CITIZEN AND A NON-CITIZEN** i\. A citizen is a full legal member of State or Country whilst a non-citizen is not. ii\. A citizen enjoys the protection of the government both within and outside his Country. This is not often the case with a non-citizen. iii\. A citizen owes full allegiance to the State or Country. This is not the case with a non-citizen. iv\. A citizen can vote and be voted for whilst a non-citizen cannot. v\. A citizen can engage in any legitimate business of his choice whilst a non-citizen cannot engage in certain business activities. vi\. A citizen cannot be repatriated from his own Country while a non-citizen can be declared a *persona non grata* if he commits a serious offence in a Country where he is an alien. In other words, a non-citizen can be repatriated. vii\. A citizen can form and belong to a political party whilst a non-citizen cannot. **MODES OF CITIZENSHIP ACQUISITION** The followings are patterns or ways in which the citizenship of a State or Nation can be acquired: 1. An individual can become the citizen of a State or Nation if he/she is born within the territory of a State or Country. In other words, citizenship by birth is based on two principles; *jus sanguinis* (parentage) and *jus soli* (born within the territory of a State or Country). According to section 25(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the following persons are citizens of Nigeria by birth, namely: \(a) Every person born in Nigeria before the date of independence, either of whose parents or any of whose grandparents belongs or belonged to a community indigenous to Nigeria: Provided that a person shall not become a citizen of Nigeria by virtue of this section if neither of his parents nor any of his grandparents was born in Nigeria; \(b) Every person born in Nigeria after the date of independence either of whose parents or any of whose grandparents is a citizen of Nigeria: and \(c) Every person born outside Nigeria either of whose parents is a citizen of Nigeria. i. The person's birth must have taken place before or after independence ii. The person has or had to be born in Nigeria. iii. Either the person's father or mother or even both of them may be born within Nigeria. **2. Citizenship by Registration** Section 26(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, stipulates that subject to the provision of Section 28 of the constitution, a person to whom the provision applies may be registered as a citizen of Nigeria, if the president is satisfied that: a. He is a person of good character b. He has shown a clear intention of his desire to be domiciled in Nigeria; and c. He has taken the oath of allegiance prescribed in the Seventh Schedule to the 1999 constitution. Nonetheless, it is imperative to note that citizenship by registration is applicable to only three groups of people, namely; i. Any woman who is or has been married to a citizen of Nigeria; ii. Any person of full age and capacity born outside Nigeria any of whose grandparents are a citizen of Nigeria. iii. A non-citizen's child adopted by a Nigerian citizen in accordance with the Nigerian law. **3. Citizenship by Naturalization** The term naturalization refers to a legal process or procedure which makes it possible for an individual who is an alien/foreigner in a particular Country to become a citizen after meeting some legal requirements. It is a process by which a person can opt out of the membership of his or her State or Country into the membership of another State or Nation. With respect to Section 27 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, no person shall be qualified or eligible to apply for the grant of a Certificate of Naturalization, unless he/she satisfies the President that:- a. He is a person of full age and capacity; b. He is a person of good character; c. He has shown a clear intention of his desire to be domiciled in Nigeria; d. He is, in the opinion of the Governor of the State where he is or he proposes to be resident, acceptable to the local community in which he is to live permanently, and has been assimilated into the way of life of Nigerians in that part of the Federation; e. He is a person who has made or is capable of making useful contribution to the advancement; progress and well-being of Nigeria; f. He has taken the Oath of Allegiance prescribed in the Seventh Schedule to this Constitution; and g. He has, immediately preceding the date of his application, either:- \(i) Resided in Nigeria for a continuous period of fifteen years; or **OTHER WAYS OF ACQUIRING CITIZENSHIP** 1. **Honourary Citizenship** This is a situation in which an individual who has made some significant contributions to the growth and development of the County is given the privilege of becoming the citizen of the Country. In most cases, this is also known as Citizenship by Conferment. For instance, Brazil granted an honourary citizenship to Nelson Mandela because of the way and manner he freed his people from the Apartheid regime in South Africa. It is just a mark of honour to the recipient. 2. **Citizenship by Conquest** When a Nation or Country is defeated (conquered) in war by another Nation or Country, the defeated Country may be forced to take up the citizenship of the conqueror. What that means is that citizenship may be changed by conquest. Through conquest after secessionist struggles, citizenship of certain individuals may be changed by acquiring a new status. For instance, "the British people changed their citizenship to that of their new State after the secessionist forces had succeeded in carving a new State out of Ethiopia" (Sokoh & Ojo, 2014. p. 87). Simply put, citizenship acquired in such manner is referred to as citizenship by conquest. **FORFEITURE OR LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP (DUAL CITIZENSHIP)** Under **Section 28 (1) of the** Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria **1999**, as amended, subject to the other provisions of this section, a person shall forfeit forthwith his Nigerian citizenship if, not being a citizen of Nigeria by birth, he acquires or retains the citizenship or nationality of a Country, other than Nigeria, of which he is not a citizen by birth. Subsection (2) any registration of a person as a citizen of Nigeria or the grant of a Certificate of Naturalization to a person who is a citizen of a Country other than Nigeria at the time of such registration or grant shall, if he is not a citizen by birth of that other Country, be conditional upon effective renunciation of the citizenship or nationality of that other country within a period of not more than five months from the date of such registration or grant. **RENUNCIATION OF** **CITIZENSHIP** **Section 29** (1) any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner for the renunciation. \(2) The President shall cause the declaration made under subsection (1) of this section to be registered and upon such registration, the person who made the declaration shall cease to be a citizen of Nigeria. \(3) The President may withhold the registration of any declaration made under subsection (1) of this section if: (a) the declaration is made during any war in which Nigeria is physically involved; or (b) in his opinion, it is otherwise contrary to public policy. \(4) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section. (a) \"full age\" means the age of eighteen (18) years and above; (b) any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age. **DEPRIVATION OF** **CITIZENSHIP** **The conditions for deprivation of citizenship are abundantly stipulated in Section 30 (1) and (2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as stated hereunder.** Subsection (1) The President may deprive a person, other than a person who is a citizen of Nigeria by birth or by registration, of his citizenship, if he is satisfied that such a person has, within a period of seven years after becoming naturalized, been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years. Subsection (2) The President shall deprive a person, other than a person who is citizen of Nigeria by birth, of his citizenship, if he is satisfied from the records of proceedings of a court of law or other tribunal or after due inquiry in accordance with regulations made by him, that- **PROBLEMS OF CITIZENSHIP** The following are some problems of citizenship: 1\. Dual Citizenship 2\. Statelessness **Dual Citizenship** Dual citizenship is a situation in which an individual is a citizen of two countries at the same time. This is a problem because the individual will be loyal to two Countries at the same time, that is, the problem of dual loyalty. For example, if there is an armed conflict between the Countries in which the individual is a citizen the problem of dual loyalty will arise (Umukoro & Okon, 2008. p. 5). An individual can be a citizen of two countries if he is born within the territory of a country that is different from that of his parents. For instance, if Okoro is born in the USA by Nigerians, Okoro will be the citizen of USA based on the principle of *jus soli* (born within the territory of a State or Country) and a Nigerian based on the principle of *jus sanguinis* (parentage). **Statelessness** This refers to a situation in which an individual is not a citizen of any Country at a given time. This may occur if an individual convicted of treasonable felony decides to flee his Country in order to escape death penalty. This means that the individual is regarded as a dead man in his Country and a foreigner in the country he fled to. Such a person may not enjoy the full protection of the government of any Country. It is essential to note that an individual in this condition can be pardoned through the exercise of the power of prerogative of mercy by the President (Umukoro & Okon, 2008. pp. 5-6). **FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF NIGERIAN CITIZENS** **It is imperative to note that these rights are contained in Chapter IV, Section 33-43 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, thus:** \(a) Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life. \(b) Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person. \(c) Every person shall be entitled to his personal liberty. \(d) A person shall be entitled to a fair hearing. \(e) Every individual has a right to private and family life. \(f) Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. \(g) Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression and the press. \(h) Every person shall be entitled to peaceful assembly and association. \(i) Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to freedom of movement. \(j) Every person shall be entitled to freedom from discrimination. \(k) Every citizen of Nigeria shall have the right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria. **DUTIES OF CITIZENS (CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES)** Chapter II, Section 24 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, stipulates abundantly clear that it shall be the right of every citizen to:- \(a) Abide by this Constitution; respect its ideals and its institutions, the National Flag, the National Anthem, the National Pledge, and legitimate authorities; \(b) Help to enhance the power, prestige and good name of Nigeria, defend Nigeria and render such national service as may be required; \(c) Respect the dignity of other citizens and the rights and legitimate interests of others and live in unity and harmony and in the spirit of common brotherhood; \(d) Make positive and useful contribution to the advancement, progress and well-being of the community where he/she resides; \(e) Render assistance to appropriate and lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order; and \(f) Declare his income honestly to appropriate and lawful agencies and pay his tax promptly. **CONCLUSION** In this chapter, we have thus far examined the concept and theoretical considerations of citizenship, types of citizenship, rights and privileges of citizens, limitations to rights of the citizens, duties/responsibilities and obligations of citizens, other modes of acquiring citizenship, forfeiture of citizenship, and the significance and benefits of citizenship in Nigeria. The discourse was aimed at stimulating and informing the students on what citizenship in Nigeria entails and to also highlight the significance of Nigeria citizenship as well as the intrinsic relationship between the citizenry and the State, particularly in terms of the conferment of rights and duties/obligations to both citizens and the State. Finally, the chapter concludes by submitting that the study of citizenship should be taken seriously in Nigeria so as to develop the citizenship skills and inculcate appropriate societal norms and values to our children and youths who are the future leaders of our Country.