By Emmanuel  Ayungbe

UYO—Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has concluded plans to enter into a strategic partnership on technological transfer with the government of United States of America to make the state an industrial hub in the country.

This was part of the bilateral cooperation agreement reached by Governor Emmanuel and the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. William Symington, who paid him a courtesy call at the Government House, Uyo, weekend.

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State

Particularly, the governor said he needed the US cooperation on technology transfer in order to boost the state’s industrialization drive.

He expressed the hope that the multiplier effects of such cooperation would engender the development of some strategic sectors, including the economy, technology, education and capacity building.

According to Emmanuel, Akwa Ibom State was ready to cooperate with the developed economies to fast track development, given the fact that the state is blessed with adequate security and abundant natural resources.

He said: “Your visit to one of the strategic states in the Niger Delta is a welcome development. If the US would join hands to turn global focus to Akwa Ibom, that will be great and the state will change, not as a village but a global city.”

He acknowledged the investment strides of the US in the developing countries and solicited that such gestures be extended to Akwa Ibom as it strives to entrench an enduring culture of development in all sectors of the state.