Gen Godwin Osagie Abbe rtd is dead.
He died on Sunday after a a protracted illness, a family source has confirmed .
Born 10 January 1949 in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria he was a retired Nigerian Army Major General and former Defence Minister
Before then, he served as the Nigerian Minister of Interior.
Godwin Abbe joined the military in 1967 as a private, and was commissioned second lieutenant in July 1968, and subsequently promoted colonel in 1986. He served during the Nigerian Civil War.
He was a graduate of the United States Army Infantry School Fort Benning, Georgia, Ghana Armed Forces Staff College and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic studies, Kuru.
Gen Abbe was the military governor of Akwa Ibom State 1988–1990) and Rivers State (1990–1991).
He then became General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division Nigerian Army; Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and Commander, National War College. He retired in 1999 with the rank of Major General.
Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, has described the passing of the second Military Governor of the State, Major General Godwin Abbe (Rtd), as “sad and painful.”
In a release made available to the press by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, Governor Eno said the former Military Governor, “helped lay the foundation of an ascendant Akwa Ibom State, where the dreams of the Founding Fathers to have a prosperous, homogeneous, united, and peaceful State would be the defining ethos of our identity.
“Today, because he interpreted those ideals perfectly, our State has experienced exponential growth across all sectors and continues to be blessed with leaders who, as he was, were selfless, passionate, and committed to making Akwa Ibom a model of development, peace, and progress—a commitment we are dedicated to continuing and expanding.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the family, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and the people and Government of Edo State on the sad and painful passing of this gallant and patriotic Nigerian military tactician and statesman.
“We will work with the family and the Nigerian Army to ensure that we give him a befitting funeral. May his soul rest in peace,” the statement concluded.