BREAKING: Former Akwa Ibom State Governor Is Dead
General Godwin Osagie Abbe, Minister of Defence during the administration of late President Umaru Yar’Adua, is dead.
Abbe, who was also a former military Governor of Akwa Ibom State between July 31, 1988, and September 5, 1990, and Rivers State between August 1990 and January 1992, died in Abuja on Saturday after a protracted illness.
The retired Major General, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was also a Minister of Interior between July 26, 2007, and July 14, 2009, during the administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
An alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, he was born on January 10, 1949, and would have attained the milestone of 75 years on January 10, 2025.
He earned a Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations from Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife.
He was also a graduate of the United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia, the Ghana Armed Forces Staff College, and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.
He became General Officer Commanding, GOC, 2 Division, Nigerian Army; Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, TRADOC; and Commander, National War College.
The late Abbe retired in 1999 with the rank of Major General.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Senator, Monday Okpebholo, has mourned the passing of the late General, whom he described as a legendary son of the state.
Okpebholo, in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, said as a revered military officer, administrator, and statesman, General Abbe’s life was a testament to discipline, dedication, and service to the nation.
He said his illustrious career in the Nigerian Army was marked by numerous achievements, including his promotion to Lance Corporal in 1967, Lieutenant in 1969, and subsequent appointments as Battalion Commander, Instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy, and Staff Officer Grade I, among others.
The senator added that as a proud son of Edo State, General Abbe’s distinguished service to the nation is a source of inspiration and pride.
“His tenure as Military Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 1988 to 1990, and later as Minister of Defence and Internal Affairs, demonstrated his exceptional leadership qualities and commitment to the well-being of the Nigerian people.
“General Godwin Osagie Abbe was a shining star whose light has been extinguished, but his legacy will continue to inspire and guide us. We celebrate his life, his service, and his contributions to our great nation.
“As we bid farewell to this remarkable individual, we reflect on the traditional and philosophical principles that guided his life and career.
“May his soul rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to illuminate the path to greatness for the people of Edo State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
