…We Will Support Family, Army in Giving him befitting burial, says Gov. Eno of Akwa Ibom, As Fubara of Rivers Mourns
By Newsmata
Some facts have emerged how 75-year-old Godwin Osagie Abbe, retired Army General and Nigeria’s former Defence and Interior Minister during the administration of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua died on Saturday night in a hospital in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
Newsmata gathered that for several months, the late Abbe had battled some complex health challenges which had seen him going in and out of hospital and undergoing some surgeries.
A close family source hinted that the former military governor of Akwa Ibom and Rivers States arrived in Abuja from Cairo, Egypt, on Friday (December 20) where he underwent two surgeries, but immediately developed some complications and was rushed to the hospital but passed on shortly after.
According to the source, “when he came back, he was able to be talking, but not so well, and we were hopeful he would recover fully with time. But then, he experienced some complications, and he was rushed to the hospital, and he never came out alive.”
On the nature of his ailment, he said “it is something he had been managing since the end of Nigeria’s civil war where he fought as a soldier. He was in the trenches with fellow federal forces and many of them were wounded and their blood dripping on each other’s injuries. He believed it was from there that his blood became contaminated, and he had been managing it. He also suffered severe backache. It was by the mercies of God that he lived up to 75 years because he had gone through some surgeries”.
After his stints as minister, late General Abbe had lived a very private life as an educationist. He established a group of schools, the Inomwan Foundation School, GRA, Benin City, Edo State where he nurtured young minds.
It was learnt that he may not be buried so soon because the head of the family who died not too long ago is yet to be buried. According to the family source, “the family is presently holding a meeting to discuss the burials. But the head of the family must be buried first before Osagie will be buried”.
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State government has expressed its readiness to support the family and the Nigerian Army in giving the departed former military governor of the state a befitting burial. Abbe was governor of Akwa Ibom State from July 31, 1988, to September 5, 1990.
In his condolence message, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno described the demise of the former military governor as sad and painful.
In a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Ekerete Udoh, and made available to journalists in Uyo on Sunday, Eno recalled how 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 identity.
The statement reads in part: “Today, because he interpreted those ideals perfectly, our state has experienced exponential growth across all sectors and continues to be blessed with leaders who, like he was, are selfless, passionate, and committed to making Akwa Ibom a model of peace and development—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 he gets a befitting funeral”.
Also commiserating with the Abbe family, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, expressed shock and sadness over the death of the former miliary governor of the state from August 1990 to January 1992.
Governor Fubara described Abbe as a leader who dedicated himself to the service and well-being of the people of Rivers State and humanity at large. He said the passing of the distinguished military officer, politician, and administrator was a significant loss to Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and the entire country, given his contributions during his military and political careers.
According to Fubara, “On behalf of my family, the Government, and the good people of Rivers State, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Abbe family, the people of Edo State, and the Nigerian military on the passing of this colossus, whose contributions to the unity, peace, and development of our nation remain legendary”.
“While we mourn his painful exit at this difficult time, we pray for the eternal repose of his soul and urge his family to take solace in the knowledge that Gen. Abbe lived a fulfilled life in service to his fatherland.”
The late General Abbe is survived by his soul mate, Patience Abbe, former first lady of Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, and children.