“I draw a line between play and work. I play hard, but I work harder” Rear Admiral Oamen said

The Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy has welcomed a new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Rear Admiral Mike Oamen, following a formal handing-over ceremony held on Tuesday. Rear Admiral Oamen takes over from Rear Admiral Mustapha Bala Hassan, who successfully completed his tenure.

During his inaugural address, Rear Admiral Oamen expressed his gratitude to God for the opportunity and lauded the achievements of his predecessor. “I want to first congratulate the outgoing Flag Officer. He did many things well, making it easy for us to come on board and add momentum to the operational level here,” he said.

Oamen emphasized that the Western Naval Command, which is the premier operational command of the Nigerian Navy, has performed its duties exceptionally well, earning commendations from the Chief of Naval Staff. He assured the officers and personnel under his command of his commitment to sustaining the operational tempo, with a focus on reducing criminal activities within the area of responsibility (AOR). “We will continue to sustain the momentum and ensure that all criminalities within this command are brought to the barest minimum in line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s strategic directive.”

The new FOC also highlighted the importance of teamwork and professionalism. “Most of you here, we’ve worked together before. I expect the same level of cooperation, if not more, from all of you. I draw a line between play and work. I play hard, but I work harder,” he said, urging his officers to maintain a high standard of discipline and commitment.

In his farewell speech, Rear Admiral M.B. Hassan reflected on his one-year tenure, during which he played a key role in securing Nigeria’s maritime domain. He proudly noted the command’s achievements in combating crude oil theft and smuggling, particularly highlighting the arrest of several tankers laden with stolen crude oil. “We’ve made great strides in fighting crude oil theft and smuggling, with massive achievements, including the successful suppression of these crimes through intense patrols and surveillance,” Hassan stated.

Rear Admiral Hassan further expressed his satisfaction at having contributed to Nigeria’s economic prosperity and national security, before passing the baton to Rear Admiral Oamen. “It has been a fulfilling year, and I am proud to have done my bit in serving the nation.”

The Western Naval Command, based in Lagos, is one of the Nigerian Navy’s foremost commands, responsible for safeguarding Nigeria’s waters and ensuring maritime security in its operational jurisdiction. Rear Admiral Oamen’s assumption of leadership marks the beginning of a new chapter aimed at enhancing the operational readiness of the command and maintaining its vital role in national security.