British billionaire Sir Richard Branson and 123 other people recently became British overseas territories citizens after taking the Oath of Allegiance and Pledge of Loyalty during two recent ceremonies at Government House.
They received congratulations from officials including Governor John Rankin, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley, and Registrar General Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro, according to Government Information Services.
“It gives me great pleasure to be part of an event where you are all committing yourselves loyally to new ties, which will stay with you for the rest of your lives,” Mr. Rankin said. “This is a highly enriching process, from which you as individuals and the BVI, as a territory, will gain.”
He also stressed the benefits of the “intermingling of cultures, different ways of thinking, different knowledge, and different skills,” according to GIS.
‘Champions of unity’
Dr. Wheatley described the new citizens as “champions of unity.”
“What binds us together is our love for these Virgin Islands, our commitment to preserve our environment, defend our values, lend a helping hand where it is needed in our community, and our commitment to build these Virgin Islands to be the best it can be,” he said. “And certainly, I call on you to really epitomise that principle that the BVI is really worth all of us protecting and defending it.”
Mr. O’Flaherty-Maduro explained the new citizens’ civic duties.
“You are subject to your rulers, those in authority over you, to be obedient citizens, serving your communities, the less fortunate among us,” she said. “I implore you to become useful citizens by joining a civic or community organisation.”