Former Minister of Communications, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (Rtd), has described the former Military Governor of Rivers State and Akwa Ibom, Major General Godwin Osagie Abbe (Rtd) as an officer who devoted his time to serving his country with honour, integrity, and a high sense of duty.
Abbe passed away on Saturday, December 21, 202,4 and will be laid to rest after a commendation service at the United Benin Baptist Church, Benin City, Edo State capital, on Friday, January 25, according to a funeral programme released by the family.
The former minister, a very close military ally, said this in a fresh tribute, a copy of which was made available to newsmen on Thursday by his media office and further described Abbe, who is also former Minister of Defence, as a brilliant military officer that was also very professional in his military standing.
Olanrewaju, also a former Deputy Defence Adviser in Moscow, Russia, who recalled the lofty relationship between him and the late former military governor, further described him as a friend, colleague, and family associate, adding: “I could say without any regret that we lived for each other.”
This was just as he equally recalled that during the critical moments of his life, “General Abbe stood up by my side and pleaded for leniency in the hallowed presidential chamber of Aso Rock in Abuja.”
He, however, wished the deceased “a perfect rest in the bosom of his Lord as he begins his journey of no return this Friday.
“General Godwin Osagie Abbe: May your soul rest in peace as you begin your last journey on this earth to the embrace of the righteous. During your lifetime, most of which you devoted to serving your country, you served with honour, integrity and a high sense of duty.
“I have had a relationship with you as a friend, colleague, and family associate, and I could say without any regret that we lived for each other. During the critical moments of my life, General Abbe stood up by my side and pleaded for leniency in the hallowed presidential chamber of Aso Rock in Abuja.
“I am very proud that General Abbe was a brilliant military officer and was very professional in his military standing. He played a commendable role as a statesman, a top military strategist, and a down-to-earth speaker of truth to power.
“May God accept his soul into paradise, Amiin,” Olanrewaju said.
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