Victor EzejaAs President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dismisses all Service Chiefs, following his announcement on Monday, 19 June, Air Vice Marshall Hassan Bala Abubakar is to replace Air Vice Marshal Ishiaka Amao, who was appointed in 2021.
Air Vice Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar was born on 11 September 1970. He hails from Shanono Local Government Area in Kano State. He enlisted into the NAF as a member of NDA RC 39 and commissioned Pilot Officer on September 19, 1992.
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COURSES ATTENDED AND QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Science Degree from the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna.
Basic Flying Training Courses at the 301 Flying Training School Kaduna.
Basic and Advanced Airborne Courses at Nigerian Army Infantry Center and School Jaji.
Company Amphibious Operations Course at Nigerian Army Infantry Center and School in Calabar.
Junior and Senior Command and Staff Courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji and National Defence Course at the Nasser Higher Military Academy, Cairo, Egypt.
Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from ABU, Zaria.
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PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS
The very senior officer has held several appointments, some of which are:
Admin Officer 16 Engineering Wing, 1 Engineering Group NAF Makurdi.
Officer Commanding Admin Services Flight/ Group Public Relations Officer, 97 Special Operations Group NAF Port Harcourt.
Officer Commanding Yellow Squadron- Air Force Military School Jos.
Admin Officer Primary Flying Training Wing– 301 FTS NAF Kaduna.
SO1 Admin 301 FTS NAF Kaduna.
Officer Commanding ‘B’ Squadron (Do 228)–81 Air Maritime Group NAF Benin.
Team Leader MILOB Team Site 615 Mahagi (Ituri Brigade) MONUC.
Aviation Planning Officer, MONUC Air Operations Kinshasa, DRC.
Commanding Officer Base Services Wing 81 Air Maritime Group Nigerian Air force Benin.
Operations Officer Operational Conversion Unit 88 Military Airlift group Nigerian air Force Lagos.
Operations Officer 88 Military Airlift Group Ikeja Lagos. Commanding Officer 21 Wing 88 Military Airlift Group Lagos.
Group Safety Officer 88 Military Airlift Group Ikeja Lagos.
Fleet Operations Officer – 011 Presidential Air Fleet.
Commander 011 Presidential Air Fleet.
Chief of Staff, Mobility Command.
Director of Policy, HQ NAF and lastly
Director of Operations, HQ NAF Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command.
Currently the Chief of Standards and Operations, HQ NAF.
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AWARDS/DECORATIONS
The senior officer has earned several awards and decorations, some of these include:
- Distinguished Service Star.
- Passed Staff Course (psc).
- Fellow Defence College
- Masters in International Affairs.
- Member National Institute of Management.
- Member Chartered Institute of Public Management.
- Member Nigerian Institute of Safety Professionals.
MARITAL STATUS AND HOBBIES
Air Vice Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar is happily married with children. He enjoys flying airplanes, reading, reflecting and keeping fit.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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