Thousands of dollars later, new Canadians can now vote

Last Updated: Friday, January 13, 2006 | 2:24 PM ET

CBC News

A Nigerian-born man who spent thousands of dollars to rush his citizenship process so he could vote in the election says all Canadians should take their democratic role as seriously as he does.

"Make it meaningful," said Fola Soboyejo after his citizenship ceremony in Edmonton. "Contribute to nation building, contribute to civil society, because the alternative is brutal."

Soboyejo and his wife Titilope spent thousands of dollars to travel from Yellowknife to Edmonton so they and their children could become citizens.

Fola Soboyejo

The Nigerian-born family lives in Yellowknife, but its citizenship court is only held once a year, on July 1.

• FROM JAN. 11, 2006: Northern couple spending thousands to vote

They got the first of their wishes on Thursday, becoming citizens. The second comes Jan. 23, when they cast their ballots.

In 2001, better job prospects drew the family to Alberta from Nigeria.

Last fall, they moved to Yellowknife, where Fola works at a diamond mine as an electrical engineer.

It's a long way from Nigeria, which is still struggling to emerge from years of military rule.

"Because of military pressure in those days and the tense situation, there was always a reaction and some arrests and of course they will clamp their enemiesbehind bars," said Fola.

And that's why they see voting in the Canadian election as so significant.

"It is about self-actualization," said Fola. "I contributed to the process. It is a fulfillment."

POLLS OPEN

Advance polls are open Friday, Saturday and Monday across the country. You can find your poll location by contacting Election Canada or by checking your voter information card.