A seamless leadership change has taken place at Western Naval Command (WMC) with Rear Admiral Mustapha Bala Hassan taking over the mantle of leadership as the 44th Flag Officer Commanding (FOC).
Hassan took over from Rear Admiral Mohammed Miftah Abdullahi who has been redeployed to the Defence Headquarters as Director Department of Equipment, Standardization and Harmonization.
A statement by the Command Information Officer, WNC, Commander Patricia Ochei, stated that Admiral Hassan previously served as Director of Policy, Naval Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the command in Lagos on Wednesday, Admiral Hassan charged officers of the Command to buckle up and redouble their efforts as there is a lot to be done.
While promising an improved welfare for the officers and men of the Command, Admiral Hassan further charged them to be result oriented adding that the tasks ahead are enormous and should be tackled with utmost seriousness.
Meanwhile, in his valedictory remarks, Rear Admiral Abdulahi observed that the Command made significant contributions, especially in the arrest of persons dealing in various forms of illegality.
The former WNC boss, who served at the command from 9th July to 11 October, 2023, stressed that he contributed his quota-to the growth of the Command and the Nigerian Navy in general.
Admiral Abdullahi expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve and for making a successful career at the command as he noted that some of his mates could not come this far.
He, however, called on officers of the Command give the new FOC the same support and cooperation he enjoyed from them.
The event also featured the traditional signing of handing and taking over notes, change of guards and handing over of the Command’s insignia to signify the official change of leadership of the Command.
New FOC’s Profile
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.
He is currently running a PhD, 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 Art Degree in International Relations, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana, 2007.
Post Graduate Diploma in Electrical Electronics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, 2004.
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; Officers’ Long Course, Nigerian Navy Ship QUORRA, Lagos; and Sub-Technical Course, Nigerian Navy Ship QUORRA, Lagos.
