THE MAKING OF A GREAT LEADER : DR HAMZA AL-MUSTAPHA

 

In antiquity and even in contemporary world, excellence as a distinctive virtue is a rare quality, naturally exclusive to the truism that some are born great, some achieve greatness while some have greatness as natural phenomenon that plays in the affairs of men.

In some African socio-economic cum political system, excellence has been defined and laundered as a mere statement but Major Hamza Al-Mustapha has excelled exceptionally in different leadership capacity that demand excellence.

Al-Mustapha was born in Nguru on July 27 1960. Nguru was part of the old Borno State but in present Yobe State. Major
Hamza was brought up by his parent and maternal Grand Mother
under an atmosphere of love but in strict adherence to Islamic
parenting guidelines.

EARLY EDUCATION:
He attended Hausari Primary School, Nguru between 1967 to 1974 for
his foundation education. Although relatively very young in comparison
with his peers, he was appointed the Class Monitor and a Prefect in his
final year. Young Hamza also attended Government Secondary
School, Nguru between 1974 to 1979, where he was appointed House
Captain and Sports Prefect during his final year.

NIGERIAN DEFENCE ACADEMY:

Major Al-Mustapha was admitted to the prestigious Nigerian Defence
Academy (NDA) as a member of 28 (twenty-eight) Regular Combatant
Course, between 1980 to 1983. He was Sports Captain in his final year
and was given a Cadet appointment (Junior Under Officer). Regarded
as organised and an excellent Cadet, Hamza as he is fondly called,
held many cadet A
appointments while in NDA.
What is clear from his education right from the Primary School through
his graduation at the NDA was his demonstration of unusual
competence, bravery, briliance, capacity, resilience and leadership.

POST GRADUATE COURSES
1. Esep le Berger, University of Cotonou
Benin Republic
Doctrine Degree (Hons)
2. LBBS
LONDON BRIDGE BUSINESS SCHOOL
Post Graduate Certificate in Management (Pg CMgt)
An Executive Education Programme of the London Bridge

2 1
3. LONDON BRIDGE BUSINESS SCHOOL
LBBS
Certificate
The Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration (DPA).

CAREER BETWEEN 1983 AND 1998:
Major Al-Mustapha had a meritorious and a brilliant career in the
Nigerian Army. He was acknowledged by his superiors and
contemporaries as highly intelligent and very brave, an important
quality to a successful military career anywhere in the world. It is
therefore no wonder that even the Late Libyan President, Muammar
Gaddafi among other world leaders, not only acknowledged his
bravery and profcssional briliance, but offered to have him as Chief
Sccurity Officer if Nigeria would oblige. He was highly regarded in
international military circles.
His Military career, which spanned three (3) decades include the
following:

PLACES AND PERIODS SERVED IN THE NIGERIAN ARMY:
 1983-1984: Headquarters: Military Intelligence as:
i. Ag. Security Officer Grade I (Intelligence
Operations/Security)
ii. Sports Officer
iii. Security liaison duty
 1984 – 1985: Dodan Barracks: Presidency
i. Intelligence Operations/ Security
ii. Foreign Forces Withdrawal from Lake Chad
(International Operation)
iii. Ministry of Internal Affairs (served with Gen. M.
Magoro, who was the Minister then).
 1985-1987: Army Headquarters; Office of the Chief of Army Staff
(COAS) as:

i. Officer-in-Charge Intelligence Detachment
ii. Security Officer to COAS

1987-1989: Bakassi (Operations)
i. Headquarters: 13 Brigade, Calabar, Cross River State
ii. Member, States Security Council (Akwa lbom and
Cross RIver States)
 1989-1990: Headquarters 82 Division, Enugu (Officer-in- Charge,
Intelligence Operations)
 1990
Headquarters Security Group (Apapa, Lagos)
 1990-1991
CDS/ CJDS Office: (i) officer-in-Charge Intelligence
Detachment
(ii) Security Officer to CDS/CJDS
 1992-1993: Ministry of Defence (MOD) -Sune 4 abeue
 1994-1998: Presidency: Chief Security Officer (CSO)
 1998
Headquarters 82 Division, Enugu
Second-in-command (2ic) Intelligence
1993 – 1998 PRESIDENCY: CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER TO THE HEAD OF STATE
– Served the Presidency for five (5) years with unblemished records.

SOME OF HIS CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDES:

1. Initiated the establishment of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) in
1994 which led to an unprecedented nationwide
infrastructural development. PTF was also introduced into the
Armed Forces and the Police. The idea was conceived as far
back as 1987 in South Korea.

2. Contributed to the adoption of the Six (6) Geo-Political Zones
arrangements as a National Policy.

3. Participated in the creation of Gombe, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Ebonyi,
Zamfara and Nasarawa States and the accompanying Local
Governments in 1996 as part of the Political Reform of the
Abacha-led Government.

4. Contributed in Fostering Idea – Based Political Parties during
the Abacha Reforms through the establishment of The
Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM).

5. Active participation in International Operations in Liberia,
Sierra Leone, Gambia.

HONOURS & AWARDS:
Major Hamza Al-Mustapha is a recipient of Domestic and International
Awards too numerous to mention and was awarded:

 Ambassador of Peace to West Africa by the United Nations (UN).

 Man of the year award by privilege Magazine and online news
11th Nigerian Leadership Award 2020;
 ICON of Peace and Nation Building by Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria Faculty of Postgraduate Representative Council (ABUPRC).

ACHIEVEMENTS AS CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER (CSO) TO GENERAL SANI
ABACHA:

His tour of duties had given him deep insights into the complex nature of
Nigeria’s diverse ethnic, religious and political architecture had
enabled him to develop relationships in every part of the country.
He firstly contributed in stabilising the Abacha Regime. Major Hamza,
given his professional intelligence training at some of the best
Intelligence Schools in the World, was familiar with international best
practices on the role of the CSO. A combination of his unblemished
national tour of duty and service, coupled with his international
exposure and personal efforts assisted him in clearly defining his role.
But he exercised the authority vested on him with the fear of the
Almighty God (Allah) and this he used for the advancement of his Country.
It is perhaps important to note that Major Hamza enjoyed the full
confidence of General Sani Abacha, then Head of State who was
highly regarded as a thorough bred and highly professional General.
Major Hamza was obviously appointed among many arising from his
track records of loyalty, competence and professionalism.
Major Hamza Al-Mustapha put all his energy into the assignment. He
used all avenues available to him to carry out his assignments
specifically to support his Principal General Sani Abacha for the greater
benefit of Nigerians. Indeed, he influenced the policy process towards
the development of the Country. For example, Major Hamza initiated
the establishment of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) which has been
described as the biggest national infrastructural development efforts in
the Country. An agent of unity, Major Al-Mustapha ensured fairness,
equity and justice in the national infrastructural development policy
across the country.
Indeed, there has not been any similar initiative after that. Similarly that,
the policy was introduced into the Armed Forces and the Police, was
due to his influence. The result of these efforts can be described as
revolutionary as Military and Police Barracks witnessed unprecedented development and improvement in infrastructure, logistics, and health.
He participated directly and actively in the creation of Gombe,
Bayelsa, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Zamfara and Nasarawa States as part of the
Abacha Government’s response to agitation for the creation of new
States, the adoption of the Six Geo-Political Zones and the political
retorms embarked upon by the Regime. This was accompanied by the
creation of additional Local Govermments Areas (LGAs) nationwide which Hamza
also actively contributed to.
Very striking to any observer of Nigerian politics is the creation of the
Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM) to empower the poor and to
provide a platform for the youth to participate in the political reforms
process as well as enhancing the development of the country. The
idea of GDM was revolutionary, and people centred, and an initiative
of Major Hamza. In fact, ) as a passion, Major Hamza used every
opportunity to promote the cause of the Nigerian Youth, strengthen
youth groups, while encouraging them to harmonise efforts to evolve
into formidable organisations that can effectively represent their
collective interest. The result of these visionary steps could be felt in our
polity today.
He registered and nurtured numerous Youth Associations in Nigeria from
1984 to date, he initiated 2 million Man match in March 1998. He is a
Grand Patron and a Patron to many Youth Associations.

COURSES ATTENDED:
Major Hamza Al-Mustapha has attended many professional courses
within and outside Nigeria from 1983 – 1998.

REGIONAL SECURITY:

Major Al Mustapha played very strategic role in bringing peace and
stability to many of the troubled West African Countries from Liberia,
Siera Leone to Chad through effective logistic coordination,
intelligence and political support.

Its evident that Dr Al-Mustapha is well prepared, experienced and equipped in all ramifications to lead a new and progressive Nigeria with brighter future for our youths,our women and the next generation is possible with your efforts, support and votes. A new Nigeria without room for embezzlement,deceit, corruption, kidnapping, terrorism, nepotism, and political recklessness, etc

DR HAMZA ALMUSTAPHA is the answer to the aforementioned.
Join the struggle today for the reform, realisation, mobilization and actualization of Major Al-Mustapha as Nigeria’s next President for a restructured, detribalized peaceful, progressive NIGERIA of our dreams.

Trust
Believe
Support and
Think Dr Hamza Almustapha in 2023.

#HART
#AlMustapha
#EmpoweringNewNigeria