Nigeria has been described as critical to the world economy whose partnership should not only be courted by Africa but the world.

Making this assertion Monday was the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization(IMO) Kitack Lim who is in Nigeria for an international maritime summit.

Mr. Lim, who was excited by his visit to Nigeria being the first time he would do so, was reacting to the grant reception he received from the Nigerian government.

“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 experiences from my interactions with Nigerians at the IMO, and I am excited to be here”.

At the opening of the two-day Nigeria international maritime summit in Lagos, Kitack Lim commended Nigerian Navy and NIMASA for effectively collaborating with local, regional and international partners to achieve success in the war against piracy.

He offered IMO partnership with the Nigerian government to achieve a port community system for the West and Central Africa Region.

He also assured of IMO support for Nigeria’s maritime industry to achieve cleaner oceans and greener shipping

Kitack Lim, who is from Korea, said Koreans consider Nigeria a dreamland and expressed hope for more cooperation between both countries.

The Honorable Minister of Transportation, Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, Permanent Secretary Dr. Magdalene Ajani, Heads of Agencies under the Ministry, and stakeholders from the Nigerian maritime industry were on hand to meet the IMO Secretary General.

The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas NLNG Ship Management Limited is among the industry stakeholders partnering with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA in the Deep Blue Project operational engagement session scheduled as part of the activities of the IMO Sec Gen visit to Nigeria. Kitack Lim is also expected to 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.