American state, Cross River sign partnership pact

The State of Maryland in the United
States of America and Cross River
State have signed a sister-state
agreement.

While Governor Liyel Imoke signed on behalf of Cross River, Governor Martin O'Malley signed on behalf of the State of Maryland, according to a statement on Thursday.

The sister-state relationship, which was signed in Annapolis, the capital of Maryland, provided for each state, a legal form of partnering and utilising one another's best practices in research, technical assistance,
curriculum development and
investments among others.

With the signing of the agreement,
Cross River now partnered with key
institutions in Maryland such as the
John Hopkins International Medicine,the University of Maryland, Maryland Office of Tourism, Maryland Office of Sports, Maryland Center, Bowie State University, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Maryland Department of Business and
Economic Development.

Governor O'Malley, while speaking at
the event said the partnership would
strengthen the existing bond between
Nigeria and his state, even as he hoped the pact would lead to improved standard of living for the people of the two states.

He said, "Our greatest asset in
Maryland as in Cross River is our
human capital. I believe that all of us
understand progress in essentially the same way. It is about the dignity of our home, the dignity of work and the dignity of every child's potential.

"It is about raising our children in a
place that is safe, to be able to give
them the ability to learn at higher levels than their parents before them, to support their families in more
sustainable ways that hold the promise of even a better future for their children and great grand children."

Imoke, who was given an award in
recognition of reforms introduced to
land administration, said the event was eminent in the history of the two states.

He said, "This signing marks the
beginning of what we hope will be
many years of a rewarding relationship between Maryland and Cross River.
"I am optimistic about the potentials
and possibilities of this partnership for our development in five key sectors;health, education, information and communication, technology, tourism and agriculture."