Godwin Abbe

Godwin Osagie Abbe (born 10 January 1949) in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria is a retired[1] Nigerian Army Major General and former Defence Minister of Nigeria from 2009 to 2010. He served as the Nigerian Minister of Interior from 2007 to 2009.[2]

Major General
Godwin Osagie Abbe
Governor of Akwa Ibom State
In office
31 July 1988 – 5 September 1990
Preceded byTunde Ogbeha
Succeeded byIdongesit Nkanga
Nigeria  Military Governor of Rivers State
In office
August 1990 – January 1992
Preceded byErnest Olawunmi Adelaye
Succeeded byRufus Ada-George
Nigerian Minister of Interior
In office
26 July 2007 – 14 July 2009
Preceded byOluyemi Adeniji
Succeeded byShettima Mustapha
Defence Minister of Nigeria
In office
14 July 2009 – 17 March 2010
Preceded byShettima Mustapha
Succeeded byAdetokunbo Kayode
Personal details
Born10 January 1949
Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Military service
Allegiance Nigeria
Branch/service Nigerian Army
Years of service1967–1999
Rank Major General

Military career

Godwin Abbe joined the military in 1967 as a private, was commissioned second lieutenant in July 1968, and was promoted colonel in 1986. He served during the Nigerian Civil War. He earned a Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. He is 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.[3]

He was military governor of Akwa Ibom State 1988–1990) and Rivers State (1990–1991).[4] 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.[5]

Politician

After leaving the army, Godwin Abbe joined People's Democratic Party in 1999, and became chairman of the party in Edo State.[5]

Minister of Interior

President Umaru Yar'Adua appointed Godwin Abbe as the Nigerian Minister of Interior on 26 July 2007. At a meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government in Kampala, Uganda in November 2007, Abbe met British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and asked for assistance in restructuring the police force, which was suffering from low morale due to poor welfare, inadequate training and lack of vital work tools.[6]

As minister of the interior, Godwin Abbe was chairman of a committee that recommended an amnesty programme for gunmen in the Niger Delta, an important step towards improving output of oil and gas.[7] Soon after, he was appointed Minister of Defense, a key role in implementing the amnesty.[2]

Minister of Defense

In September 2009, Abbe said that the Amnesty would not prevent security operatives from going after illegal oil bunkerers, who he said would be treated as enemies of the state.[8] In October 2009, speak of Niger Delta militants who had accepted the government amnesty, Abbe gave assurances they would be rehabilitated, re-integrated and helped in every way possible to make them self-sustaining in life.[9]

References
  1. "Abbe states obstacle to true federalism". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  2. Daniel Idonor (14 July 2009). "Cabinet Shake-up : Yar'Adua moves Godwin Abbe to Defence Ministry". Vanguard. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  3. Mohammed Momoh (14 September 2007). "Brief on Ministers". African Choice News USA. Archived from the original on 3 September 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  4. "Salamatu Suleiman, Godwin Abbe: Where are they now?". Blueprint Newspapers. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  5. "We Are Focusing On Modernisation Of The Armed Forces – Abbe". Leadership Nigeria. 5 November 2009. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  6. "Britain to help restructure police force". Panafrican News Agency (PANA). 27 November 2007. Archived from the original on 18 December 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  7. "Nigeria to unveil amnesty programme for militants". Reuters. 4 June 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  8. Kingsley Omonobi (21 September 2009). "FG begins manhunt for sponsors of illegal oil bunkering". Vanguard. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  9. Emma Amaize & Jimitota Onoyume (5 October 2009). "Post-amnesty: How Govt'll engage ex-militants – Abbe". Vanguard. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
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