Maryland Trade Mission to Nigeria Includes Meetings in Cross River State
The Secretary of State, Maryland leads a delegation of government and business leaders to Cross River State Nigeria on a Business Trade Mission and fact finding trip.
- (1888PressRelease) November 26, 2012 - Baltimore, Maryland-The State of Maryland led a Trade Mission to Nigeria on November 8, 2012 to Cross River State, Nigeria and Ondo State, Nigeria as a result of Maryland's Sister State Initiative. The combined trip was to explore opportunities for investment, educational and cultural partnerships between the two states and the State of Maryland.
The delegation of Maryland's government and business leaders was led by The Secretary of State, John P. McDonough and Dr. Cheryl A. Hill, President of Integrity International Consulting Group. In July 2012, both the State of Maryland and Cross River State had signed a historic Friendship Agreement in Annapolis, the capital of Maryland, marking the beginning of what many agree would be a robust relationship between both States.
Secretary McDonough stated "the five-day visit was essentially part of efforts towards the signing of the Sister State Agreement between both states next year, adding that it would also serve as a litmus test for the visit of Governor Martin O'Malley of the State of Maryland who is due to visit the Cross River with a Trade Delegation soon."
He also stated "that out of the 31 sister states relationships managed by his office, Cross River's was very unique because of the enthusiasm on the part of Governor Liyel Imoke and his team towards attracting more development to the State."
Dr. Hill stated that "His Excellency, Governor Liyel Imoke has always championed the forward thinking and development of tourism, energy and technology as some of the key priorities of Cross River State". Governor Imoke hosted the delegation while thanking them for the visit to the his state and assured that Cross River would adequately key into the opportunities provided by the Sister State Relationship with a view to transforming the State and improving the wellbeing of the people.
The Special Adviser to Governor Imoke on Inter-governmental Relations and Liaison, Abuja, Mr. Joe Edet, Esq. while conducting the delegation round the State stated that " Cross River was a virgin land ready for exploration."
The Maryland delegation while in the State visited the Governor's Office where in the Executive Chamber was taken through comprehensive presentations of key sectors of the State's Agriculture, Health, Education, ICT, Tourism and Solid Minerals, opportunities and challenges.
Other places visited were the Obudu Mountain Resort, TINAPA Business and Leisure Resort, Marina Resort, Calabar Free Trade Zone, Nigeria Ports Authority, the Drill Ranch, Palace of the Obong of Calabar, the Cross River University of Technology and the Calabar Chamber of Commerce and Industries where the delegation held interactive sessions on how best to utilize the Sister State Relationship to the benefit of the State and its people.
Other areas visited also were the Destiny Child Center, a care facility set up by the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Obioma Imoke to help to the less privileged and vulnerable children in the society and the Surefoot American International School, which is a typical American model School that teaches U.S. curriculum. Surefoot American International School has a Sister School partnership with Charles Carroll Middle School located in Prince George's County, Maryland.
Members of the delegation included the Maryland Secretary of State, Patrick John McDonough; the Deputy Secretary of State, Dr Rajan Natarajan; Linda Aldredge, Executive Assistant to Governor Martin O'Malley of Maryland; Mary Lou McDonough, wife of the Secretary of State, who is also a director at Prince George's County Department of Corrections; Dr. Cheryl A. Hill, President of Integrity International Consulting Group, which is the consulting firm for the Cross River /Maryland Sister State Project.
Others were Orlan M. Johnson, Chairman of the Board of Regents, University System of Maryand, Lisa Jones and Sean R. Malone, partners at Harris, Jones, Malone, a U.S.-based Lobby/ Government Relations firm; Zachary Feldman, Executive Aide to the Secretary of State; Sylvester Okere ,Chair of the Maryland/Nigeria Sister State Executive Committee; Chris O. Akindure, Chief Financial Officer at Blackrock Corporation based in Maryland; Kola Ajisekola, President of Information, Dynamics Inc. an ICT firm also based in the USA; Franklin Akinkoye, President of Continental Insurance and Financial Services in the USA; Kemi Fadojutimi, a Director at Blackrock Corporation, Nyambi A Nyambi Vice President of Paradise Network (PNI) and Vivienne Eno Bassey McCoy, a board member of the PNI.
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