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20 registered as British Citizens

Twenty Virgin Islands residents are the newest registered British Citizens after they received certificates and recited the Affirmation of Allegiance and Pledge of Loyalty during a ceremony at Government House Thursday morning, June 24, 2021. Photo: GIS
His Excellency the Governor John J. Rankin has welcomed the group to the family of British citizenship, calling the occasion a ‘happy and meaningful one’. Photo: GIS/Facebook
His Excellency the Governor John J. Rankin has welcomed the group to the family of British citizenship, calling the occasion a ‘happy and meaningful one’. Photo: GIS/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Twenty Virgin Islands residents are the newest registered British Citizens after they received certificates and recited the Affirmation of Allegiance and Pledge of Loyalty during a ceremony at Government House Thursday morning, June 24, 2021.

His Excellency the Governor John J. Rankin, according to a press release from Government Information Services (GIS), welcomed the group to the family of British citizenship, calling the occasion a ‘happy and meaningful one’.

“This is a matter to which ministers in Her Majesty’s Government in Britain attach great importance,” the Governor said, adding, “British law requires that those who acquire nationality in this way must not only demonstrate a commitment to the United Kingdom, but also knowledge of its history, its institutions and its language.”

Governor Rankin also encouraged the new citizens to take advantage of opportunities for travel and study that may come with their new status, and to remember their duty as British Citizens.

“Your responsibilities as British citizens are to uphold our shared values of respect for democratic freedoms, respect for the rule of law, and respect for each other, irrespective of race, gender or religious belief. Never forget that you are now personal ambassadors for both the British Virgin Islands and for the United Kingdom,” he said

Registrar General Stephanie P. Benn administered the Affirmation of Allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen and the Pledge of Loyalty to the UK, to complete the transition to British Citizenship.

Mrs Benn also congratulated the new British citizens, and encouraged them to continue to be of good character and contribute to the Territory.

The following persons were formally registered as British Citizens:

Akilah Nayo Corbin

Dacia Mariesha Daniels-Louie

Atisher Alisher Davis

Flavia Patricia Edwards-Dougan

Ackla Aiana Eristee

Garnet Alphonso Ferron

Brian Devon Jr Gaston

Julique Elmika Huggins

Lianie Britney Betesha Huggins

Jonathan Augustin Jn Baptiste

Nadia Letitia Leanna Merry

Ann Marie Metor

Abigail Moran-Mendez

Rosa Emilia Paul De Nisbett

Denisha Simone Ledgister- Penn

Darwin Reynold Ryan

Lettie Anita Ryan

Tianna Cara Salmon

Jeni-Lee Evelyn Joseph- Watson

Charlene Natasha Williams

19 Responses to “20 registered as British Citizens”

  • musa (25/06/2021, 14:40) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    about time
  • smh (25/06/2021, 15:12) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Not familiar with any of them but hope they accepted and will treat the BVI as their Home
    • @??? (25/06/2021, 15:54) Like (1) Dislike (19) Reply
      ."..treat the VI as their home "
      Evidently u are not familiar with the way their homes are treated or you have a total disregard for the Vi.
      The VI Gov of the day is selling the soul of the VI in an effort to be reelected. Thousands since he took office. If there is a God and I believe there is,he will be a one time Premier and an out of sight forgotten has been in the not too distant future.
  • The Governor is fair and Compassionate (25/06/2021, 16:24) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    God bless the Governor...Our own black in Power, they hearts are filled with evil..... Congrats
  • omg (25/06/2021, 18:24) Like (21) Dislike (3) Reply
    What about those who are here for over 21 years who have applied and was not given their status , no criminal record nothing negative! What is the reason for them not getting theirs after almost 2 years since they have applied??????
    • Norris Turnbull (26/06/2021, 06:54) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      @wow.Those granted status been here foreever also. What's your moot point?
      • nope (26/06/2021, 21:45) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        I know quite a few names on there who hasn't even been here for 20 years. I've been here for over 20 so I personally know them. And no I ain't got ur passport and I'm ok with that
    • @wow (26/06/2021, 12:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      British citizenship is not naturalisation to become a BOT citizen. Do research before speaking. Plus two years is normal time for naturalisation.
  • say so (25/06/2021, 20:15) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is this a weekly thing? As one person said, what happened to those who been here forever? Come on, let's be fair!
  • ... (25/06/2021, 23:23) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Guys reading is fundamental this is not BVI CITIZENSHIP THIS IS THE UNITED KINGDOM!!! My goodness reading is fundamental
    • lol (26/06/2021, 13:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      True that, reading is fundamental, and for these people to gain British Citizenship, they first have to be BOTC, which the already have maybe years ago, why the hate and these nonsense moments lol
  • clowns (26/06/2021, 00:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    A bunch of clowns in these comments the article said BRITISH CITIZENSHIP NOT BVI CITIZENSHIP!!!!
  • BuzzBvi (26/06/2021, 03:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I see lots of people want to be a part of the dreadful colonial past and subject themselves to the "white hatred power" of the UK.
    I guess that is why we don't see the speaker the shouter the silent or the premier on the list as they woulld say the majority of Vislanders don't want to be subject to the "laws and colonialist powers of such a dreadfull white only racist" place.
    I also see some people commenting are having comprehension issues. :-)
  • All the best (26/06/2021, 04:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    To Abigail ....
  • Comprehnsion (26/06/2021, 09:45) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    These people have become British citizens, which suggests that they're already citizens of the Virgin Islands or another OT. People are so eager to react negatively that they don't even read to understand. The order is read, reflect, respond. God help us!
  • son of the soil (26/06/2021, 11:00) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why give out these belongerships, aren't they from some place already?
  • Inquiring (26/06/2021, 12:02) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    How long did passport office take to send them? And how long did it take to come back? Is ceremonies only done at a specific time or once they have a few? Because the process seem to have gotten longer
  • Ohwell (27/06/2021, 11:53) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    The one and only thing the UK can depend on from the VI.
    Additional citizens that they(the Uk) would rather not have.
  • Curious (01/07/2021, 15:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What I want to know how come people who been living here went to school here and because they off by one month the are being told they have to re-apply. I mean why not start the process because by the time they get to the application it would be more than eligible.


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