Initiatives
Shortly after the selection, the Sister State committee comprising mostly Ondo State indigenes in Maryland, was constituted to help actualize the vision and the mission of the Sister State initiatives. Thereafter and in conjunction with the office of the Secretary of State of Maryland, and Community business leaders, the committee began the planning logistics to visit Ondo state.
On Nov 8th 2012, over 25 business delegation led by Maryland Secretary of State John McDonough, traveled to Ondo states Nigeria to explore business opportunities and the signing of the friendship agreement between the two states. Upon arrival in Lagos, Nigeria, on the 9th, the delegation were treated to a befitting reception by the African Business Owners Forum Inc., and the Black Rock Corporation, these are Maryland companies. Subsequently, the delegation proceeded to Ondo state where they visited some important landmarks such as Gani Fawehinmi diagnostic center, the Mother and child hospital, the Trauma center, Mega School at Akure. Thereafter, they visited palaces of Deji of Akure, the Owa of Idanre kingdom and the Osemawe of Ondo kingdom. The delegation also climbed the 535 steps famous Idanre hills, which is a UNESCO site. After several business meetings and ceremonies sponsored by the Ondo state government and private sector for the delegation, on the 19th of November.2012, the friendship agreement was officially signed between Ondo state secretary to the state government Dr. Aderotimi Adelola and Maryland Secretary of state Mr. John McDonough. The friendship agreements paved the way for the official MOU signing between the two states governors Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and Governor Martin O’Malley on the 7th of June 2013.