New citizens take their oath
Samoa has welcomed sixteen new citizens.
They took their oath during a special ceremony inside Cabinet’s room on Wednesday where Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi congratulated them.
“The message for you today, is to serve your country with humility, honesty and commitment,” Tuilaepa said.
“You are not anymore temporary or permanent residents but citizens of Samoa. There is no such thing as automatic citizenship; we have a collective responsibility, and that is to serve and protect this country.
“We should neither lose sight of our duties as committed Samoans, nor forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens.
“Today, your journey as citizens of Samoa has begun.”
All of the 16 citizens have satisfied the law requirements.
This follows a lengthy and meticulous assessment process of applications for Samoan citizenship conducted in accordance with requirements of the Citizenship Act 2004.
Fifteen of them have qualified by virtue of marriage to Samoan citizens pursuant to section 9 of the Act, and one has qualified upon fulfillment of the permanent residence criteria under Section 8.
These candidates have been living with their families in Samoa. Many are working in the private sector as managers, lawyers and entrepreneurs.
NAMES OF NEW CITIZENS
Name Country Link
Metusela Fiu, Fiji, marriage
Akosita Salesa, Tonga, marriage
Adi Tamanikaiyaroi, Fiji, marriage
Shan Usman, Fiji, marriage
Brice Waroux, France, marriage
Benjamin Harding, USA, marriage
Doug Makulua Puniani, Tonga, marriage
Earl Defazio, USA, marriage
Franklin Krieger, USA, marriage
Jean Hugues Jatier, NZ, marriage
Glen Allan Huges, Australia, marriage
Jinghong Li, China, marriage
Warren Jopling, Australia, marriage
Susan Laban Toomalatai, Fiji, marriage
Josef Marx, GermanyAustralia, marriage
Amelia Faasau, Tonga, marriage