Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River has reiterated his administration’s willingness to partner with the diplomatic community in Nigeria toward achieving shared prosperity in the state.
Otu gave the assurance at the maiden Cross River Governor’s Executive Roundtable organised by the Cross River government on Tuesday in Abuja.
This, according to Otu, will further strengthen the established partnership between the state and the countries of diplomatic envoys through mutually beneficial relationships in the long term.
Otu said: “The economies of the world are growing through interconnectivity due to globalisation, thus making room for increased opportunities and investments.
“The state is making frantic efforts to position its economy in this regard to take advantage of such a corridor.
“Cross River, known as People’s Paradise, is also known as People’s Economy and is one of the most flourishing states with abundant natural resources in Nigeria.
“The state’s commitment towards economic and social development and the fast-growing economy reflect its strategic location with arable land suitable for a variety of crops.
“The state is also endowed with beautiful mountains, hospitable people, and safe spaces to grow business.”.
He reassured the diplomatic community of the state government’s resolve to build on its advantages as a hot spot for tourism and business operations.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Michael Freeman, Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria, promised to strengthen partnership with the state.
Freeman, also the Permanent Representative of Israel to ECOWAS, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the partnership centered on the blue economy and agriculture there.
“We are going to work on areas of rice, cassava, and cocoa. We hope there are also other areas there, such as resistant seedlings, fungus-resistant seedlings, and drought-resistant seedlings.
“We are also going to adapt to the climate and the soil that has very low salinity in Cross River.
“We will have a conversation with all of the people relevant to it and find appropriate levels in the places for investment to benefit both Israel and Cross River,” Freeman said. (NAN)
