Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom, Rivers States’ ex-Military Governor, Gen Godwin Abbe, is dead

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

His Excellency Major General Godwin Osagie Abbe (Rtd), Minister of Defence during the administration of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, has passed away.

General Abbe, also second Military Governor of Akwa Ibom State who succeed General Tunde Ogbeha to governor between July 31, 1988 through September 5, 1990, was also Military Governor of Rivers State between August 1990 and January 1992.

He died in Abuja, after a protracted illness, on Saturday December 21, 2024 at the age of 75.

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, hailed from Benin City, Edo State and has been mourned by Governor of the state, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who described the late General as a legendary son of the Edo 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.

Profile

Major General Godwin Osagie (Rtd) was born in Benin City, Edo State on January 10, 1949 and was married to Mrs Eniye Patience Abbe with six male children.

He was promoted Lance Corporal 1967 and became Lieutenant in 1969. Godwin Abbe became Battalion Commander 1969-72; promoted Captain 1971; Instructor (Company Officer), Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, 1974-76; promoted Major, 1975; Staff Officer Grade I, 2 Divisional Headquarters, Nigerian Army, and Directing Staff, Senior Division, Command and Staff College, Jaji, 1979-80; First Nigerian Directing Staff on Secondment to Ghana Armed Forces Staff College, Teshie, 1980-82.

He was promoted Lieutenant Colonel, 1983 and Colonel, 1986; was the Commander, 2nd Mechanised Division Garrison, Ibadan, up to 1988; appointed Military Governor, Akwa Ibom State,1988-1990; Passed Staff College (PSC); National Decoration: Forces Service Star (FSS) Medal, 1985. 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. Was appointed Minister of Interior on July 26, 2007; Minister of Defence July 14, 2009 – 17 March 2010.