Minister Lauds Ex-NIMASA Director On Re-election To UN Group

The minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has congratulated former director, Marine Environment of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr Felicia Mogo, following her re-election as a member of the Group of Experts of the United Nations Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment and socio-economics

Dr Mogo, a Nigerian ocean governance expert, paid a courtesy visit to the minister at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja to brief him on her re-election by African States to the global body responsible for assessing the state of the world’s oceans and their socio-economic importance.

During the visit, she expressed appreciation to the minister, his office, and the Federal Government of Nigeria for the support that facilitated her successful re-election.

She noted that Nigeria’s representation within the UN ocean assessment framework presents important opportunities for the country to strengthen its voice in global ocean governance and advance national interests relating to marine resources and sustainable development.

Dr Mogo also highlighted ways in which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could help amplify Nigeria’s engagement within the global process.

She reaffirmed her commitment to using the position to promote the interests of Nigeria and other African States within international ocean policy discussions.

In his remarks, Ambassador Tuggar congratulated Dr Mogo and described her re-election as a recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in global ocean governance.

He encouraged her to work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, and the International Seabed Authority in Jamaica to advance Nigeria’s strategic interests and requested the responsible Department to ensure action towards that.

The minister also emphasised the sustainable growth opportunities available to Nigeria within its maritime domain and in areas beyond national jurisdiction, particularly in food security, renewable energy, and sustainable ocean resources and security.