Citizenship SS1 Government Lesson Note

A citizen can be defined 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.

In every state, there are citizens and foreigners or aliens. While the citizens are entitled to all the civil and political rights available in the state, aliens or foreigners are not. Citizens of a state are expected to perform certain duties to the state because they belong to it and have rights by law.

 WAYS OF ACQUIRING CITIZENSHIP

To become a citizen one needs to meet some of these criteria for citizenship. These are:

1. Birth/Descent
2. Registration
3. Naturalization
4. Honorary
5. By conquest

1. Citizenship By Birth: Citizenship by birth is obtained by being born in a particular state. A child born to a Nigerian couple in the United States is automatically a citizen of that country.
2. Citizenship By Descent: A child born to a Nigerian couple in the United States is an American. But he is also a Nigerian citizen by descent because his parents are Nigerians.
3. Citizenship By Registration: A foreigner (woman) may become a citizen by getting married to a Nigerian man and as such be registered as a citizen. 
4. Citizenship By Naturalization: A citizen of a country who has lived in another country for a long period; for example 15 years as in the case of Nigeria can apply for citizenship of the country he resides.
5. Honorary Citizenship: The government of a state may confer the honour of citizenship status on a personality considered to have contributed to the development of the country in particular or to humanity in general. For example, Miriam Makeba, a citizen of South Africa was honoured with the citizenship of Liberia, Ethiopia and Guinea.
6. Citizenship By Conquest: Through conquest after secessionist struggles, the citizenship of certain individuals may be changed by acquiring a new status.

  WAYS OF LOSING CITIZENSHIP

1. Through Disloyalty: A naturalized citizen can lose his citizenship if his activities are detrimental to the country’s corporate existence.

Supporting another country: If a citizen is found supporting another country engaged in war with his country, his citizenship may be terminated.

2. Imprisonment: The individual can also lose his citizenship if within a period of say 5-7 years after becoming naturalized; he gets involved in a criminal case, resulting in his incarceration for some years.
3. False Declaration: If there is a fundamental breach of the citizenship agreement binding him, for instance, a false declaration.
4. Treason: If a citizen is found guilty of a treasonable felony, his citizenship may be terminated.
5. Dual Citizenship: If a citizen has dual citizenship, that is, if he has not renounced the citizenship of his formal country. A citizen can lose his citizenship if he verbally renounces it.

WAYS OF SAFEGUARDING CITIZEN’S RIGHTS 

1. Independent Judiciary: An independent and impartial judiciary which a citizen can run to for protection whenever his rights are infringed upon must be put in place.
2. Freedom of the Press: If freedom of the press is guaranteed, the press will fearlessly protect and safeguard the rights of the citizen.
3. Democracy: The rights of the citizen will be protected and safeguarded better in a democratic state than in a totalitarian and fascist state.
4. Entrenchment: A clear declaration of the fundamental human rights in the constitution is a necessary condition for the protection of a citizen. 
5. Peace and Order: An atmosphere of peace and order in a country is a necessary condition for the protection of a citizen’s rights.
6. Law: Supremacy and existence of law to maintain the rights of the individual and their corresponding obligation.
7. Literacy Level: The illiteracy level of the citizens should be improved upon. For example, through organising adult education classes.
8. Reduction of the Poverty level: There should be a drastic reduction of the poverty level in society.

 LIMITATIONS TO A CITIZEN’S RIGHTS 

1. Slander and Libel: The law of slander, libel and sedition limit the rights of a citizen to freedom of expression.
2. Conviction: A citizen who is convicted and imprisoned may lose his voting rights and movement while in prison.
3. Emergency Period: Declaration of dusk to dawn curfew in times of emergency is another condition that may limit the rights of a citizen especially freedom of movement.
4. State Security: Citizens may be denied their rights to join secret societies or associations if they threaten state security. It is a limitation to freedom of association.
5. Property: A citizen’s rights to ownership of property may be infringed upon if the government considers such property like land useful for developmental purposes.
6. Trespass: A citizen has no right to trespass on another person’s property. This is a limitation to freedom of movement.
7. Rights to Life: A citizen may be denied his right to life if he is condemned to death as a result of murder, armed robbery etc.
8. The right of a citizen to vote and to be voted for in any given election may be denied to such a citizen if he is a banned politician because of his past role.

9. Banning political activities in a country is tantamount to denial of a citizen’s rights.

  DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CITIZEN AND NON CITIZEN

1. A non-citizen is not a legal member of a state, whereas a citizen is a legal member of a state.
2. A citizen owes an obligation to the state, while a non-citizen does not owe any duty or obligation to the state.
3. A citizen can serve the country in any capacity, a non-citizen cannot.
4. A citizen can work anywhere in the country, while a non-citizen requires a resident permit.
5. A citizen must show loyalty to the state, while a non-citizen may not.
6. A non-citizen cannot vote or be voted for in any political election; a citizen can vote and be voted for.
7. A citizen can take up any job of his choice, while that of a non–citizen is not.
8. The rights of a citizen are guaranteed, while that of a non-citizen is not.

ASSIGNMENT 

1. Explain the following: (i) Citizenship by Naturalization (ii) Citizenship by Conquest.
2. Explain the term Treason.
3. How can citizenship be acquired through registration?
4. Highlight 5 ways by which the rights of a citizen can be limited.