A new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Apapa, has been appointed by the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla.
He is Rear Admiral Mustapha Bala Hassan, who on Wednesday, took over from the outgone FOC, Rear Admiral Mohammed Miftah Abdullahi as the 44 FOC West.
In a statement by the Information Officer, Western Naval Command, Commander Patricia Ochei in Lagos said the former FOC, Rear Admiral Abdullahi, has been appointed as Director Department of Equipment, Standardization and Harmonization at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
In his valedictory remarks, Admiral Abdullahi, who had a short stint of the command from 9th July to 11th October 2023, said the Command made significant contributions; especially bringing the criminals to their knees.
During this period, several persons were arrested dealing in various forms of illegality and infractions.
According to him, “he came, he saw and he conquered while contributing his quota to the growth of the Command and the Nigerian Navy in general.
He thanked God for the opportunity to serve in the command in that capacity, expressing gratitude to God for making a successful career at the command a reality.
Meanwhile, he called on all the officers and ratings of the Command to give their unflinching support to the new Flag Officer Commanding just the same cooperation he enjoyed from them.
High points were the signing of handing and taking over notes; change of guard and the decorations with the Command’s insignia and accoutrements.
In his remarks, Admiral Hassan charged the officers of the Command to buckle up and redouble their efforts as there are lot to be done, promising an improved welfare for the officers and men of the Command.
He further charged the officers to be result-oriented adding that the tasks are enormous and must be tackled with utmost seriousness.
Rear Admiral Mustapha Bala Hassan is a highly experienced and accomplished Communication Specialist with a wealth of knowledge in National Security, war studies, and international relations.
He has an impressive academic background and has completed military courses at various prestigious institutions.
Rear Admiral Hassan’s experience includes Directing Staff at several military institutions, sea command, and shore command. He has received numerous awards in the course of his career. He is a Muslim and hails from Kaduna State.
Currently, he’s running a PhD at the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, and the University of Ibadan (In view).
He has a Master of Science Degree in National Security and War Studies, National Defence University Islamabad, Pakistan, 2015.
Master of Arts Degree in International Relations, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana, 2007.
Post Graduate Diploma in Electrical Electronics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, 2004.
Also, he is a holder of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, 1992.
The Senior officer has attended some military courses during the course of his career; National Defence Course at the National Defence University Islamabad, Pakistan. Senior Course, Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Accra, Ghana. Officers Directing Staff Course, Shrivenham, United Kingdom, Junior Course, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna, and Officers’ Long Course, Nigerian Navy Ship QUORRA, Lagos.
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