NigerianFLIGHTDECK Travel and Business Reportage 
The Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization, His Excellency Kitack Lim has declared Nigeria as a very important country not only to Africa, but to the global economy.
This is just as he commissioned the ultra-modern headquarters of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), located at Victoria Island, Lagos.
His statement on the country’s importance was made on his arrival in the country at the meet and greet reception hosted in his honor by stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime industry.
He said, “This is my first time in Nigeria. I thank the Honorable Minister of Transportation, Engineer Jaji Sambo and his team from the Ministry for inviting me. I also want to thank the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh and other industry stakeholders. As far as I am concerned, Nigeria is one of the most important countries not only for Africa but in the global economy.
“The country is blessed with huge potentials, huge natural resources, and above all very nice people. I have had pleasant experience from my interactions with Nigerians at the IMO, and I am excited to be here”.
Kitack Lim who is from Korea said Koreans consider Nigeria a dream land and expresses hope for more cooperation between both countries
Kitack Lim will also have a firsthand experience of some operational activities on NIMASA which is the focal Agency of Nigeria liaising with the IMO under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
Meanwhile in another engagement during the commissioning of the new NIMASA headquarter, the IMO Secretary General expressed confidence in the leadership of the transport sector of Nigeria while also extolling the role of the Minister of Transportation, Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo and the heads of the various parastatals under the supervision of the Transportation Ministry.
While applauding the initiative of the modern edifice, he stated that more important is the human competency and capability, while leadership is the most paramount, as has been exhibited by the Minister of Transportation.
“An important element is human competency and capability, with leadership being the most paramount to consider, which I have seen exhibited by the Minister; he is an extraordinary and rare leader. I am very confident to look forward to more prosperous opportunities and development of maritime activities of Nigeria”, he said.
On his part the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo expressed gratitude to the IMO Secretary General for making out time to visit Nigeria and also having a first-hand opinion on the developmental strides in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
He stated that Nigeria will strive to ensure Nigerian maritime activities are in line with best practices, while also embracing new technologies in the frontier of global maritime discourse.
The NIMASA Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR who spoke during the commissioning said the IMO Secretary General’s name will remain etched in gold as long as Nigeria’s Maritime Administration is concerned.
Jamoh further intimated him that NIMASA has embarked on various projects in the year, 2022, all with the aim of ensuring a robust and conducive maritime environment is attained in Nigeria. This has been made possible with the support of stakeholders across the board.
Also speaking at the event was the Chairman, House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu, who commended Dr. Bashir Jamoh led Management of NIMASA. She noted that NIMASA should aim higher as there is room for improvement
