By Abiola Olawale
General Godwin Osagie Abbe, who served as the Minister of Defence during the administration of late President Umaru Yar’Adua, has passed away at the age of 75.
He was also a former military governor of Akwa Ibom State from 1988 to 1990 and Rivers State from 1990 to 1992.
Abbe was said to have died on Saturday night in Abuja after a protracted illness.
He was a notable figure in Nigerian politics and military, having joined the military in 1967, and later became an active member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He was born on January 10, 1949, and would have celebrated his 76th birthday on January 10, 2025.
His educational journey began at United Baptist School in Benin City, where he studied from 1953 to 1960. In 1961, he attended Iguodala Secondary Modern School, also in Benin City, followed by Kiriji Memorial College in Igbajo, Ifelodun, Oyo State. He furthered his education at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife. In July 1967, he enlisted in the Nigerian Army and undertook a variety of military training programs, including attendance at the Nigerian Defence Academy(NDA) in Kaduna. Additionally, he completed the Airborne and Infantry Officer Advanced Course at the United States Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, from 1972 to 1973, and participated in training at the Ghana Armed Forces Staff College in Teshie from 1978 to 1980.
The late General enlisted into the Nigerian Army and was promoted to Lance Corporal in 1967. He became Lieutenant in 1969; Battalion Commander, 1969-72; promoted to Captain, in 1971; Instructor (Company Officer), Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, 1974-76; promoted to Major, in 1975; Staff Officer Grade I, 2 Divisional Headquarters, NA, and Directing Staff, Senior Division, Command and Staff College, Jaji, 1979-80.
He became the First Nigerian Directing Staff on Secondment to Ghana Armed Forces Staff College, Teshie, 1980-82, and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1983.
He was promoted to Colonel in 1986; was the Commander of the 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.
General Abbe, CFR, one of Nigeria’s most decorated military officers of Edo extraction, was one time the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division Nigerian Army; Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and Commander, National War College, now National Defence College, Nigeria.
He retired in 1999 with the rank of Major General. He was appointed Minister of Interior on July 26, 2007, and Minister of Defence on July 14, 2009, – 17 March 2010. He was a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Edo State.
