Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has reacted to the death of Major-General Godwin Osagie Abbe (rtd), a former military governor of the state.
Abbe, who governed Rivers State between August 1990 and January 1992, died on Saturday in Abuja after a protracted illness.
He was aged 75.
Fubara in a Sunday statement signed by his chief press secretary, Nelson Chukwudi described Abbe’s death as a huge loss to Niger Delta and the nation at large.
He acknowledged the late general’s role in advancing the state and contributing to national development during his military and political career.
Fubara extended his condolences to Abbe’s family, the people of Edo State, and the Nigerian military.
“While we mourn his painful exit at this difficult time, we pray for the eternal repose of his soul, and urge the family to take solace in the fact that late Gen Abbe lived a fulfilled life in the service of his fatherland”, Fubara said.
Abbe was a former minister of Defence and also of Interior during the late president Umaru Musa Yar’adua’s administration.
He was a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State.
He also served as a military governor of Akwa Ibom state.
He is survived by his family.