By Damilare Adeleye
The former Military Governor of Akwa Ibom and River states, Major General Godwin Osagie Abbe (retd), has passed away at the age of 75.
Abbe, who was also a former minister of interior during the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration, died in Abuja on Saturday, after a protracted illness.
The deceased was the former Military Governor of Akwa Ibom State between 1988 and1990 and River State between 1990 and 1992.
The late Maj Gen bagged 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, Ghana Armed Forces Staff College and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic studies, Kuru.
He was the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division Nigerian Army; Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and Commander, National War College.
The late Abbe who retired in 1999 at the rank of Major General joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Meanwhile, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has described the late General as a proud son of Edo State, whose distinguished service to the nation is a source of inspiration and pride.“As a revered military officer, administrator, and statesman, General Abbe’s life was a testament to discipline, dedication, and service to the nation.“General 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, 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,” the governor said.
Also, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State mourned the former governor, describing his passing 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.
