Godwin Osagie Abbe
Governor of Awa Ibom State
In office 31 July 1988 – 5 September 1990
Preceded by	Tunde Ogbeha
Succeeded by	Idongesit Nkanga
Governor of Rivers State
In office Aug 1990 – January 1992
Preceded by	Ernest Olawunmi Adelaye
Succeeded by	Rufus Ada-George
Nigerian Minister of Interior
In office July 26, 2007 – July 14, 2009
Succeeded by	Shettima Mustapha
Nigerian Minister of Defense
Incumbent
Assumed office  July 14, 2009
Preceded by	Shettima Mustapha
Born	January 10, 1949 Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Godwin Osagie Abbe (born January 10, 1949 in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria is the Nigerian Minister of Defence since July 14, 2009. Prior to this, he had served as the Nigerian Minister of Interior since July 26, 2007.^[1].

Contents 1 Military career 2 Politician 2.1 Minister of Interior 2.2 Minister of Defense 3 References

[edit] 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 State’s Army Infantry School Fort Benning, Georgia, Ghana Armed Forces Staff College and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic studies, Kuru.^[2]

He was military governor of Akwa Ibom State 1988-1990) and Rivers State (1990-1991). 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.^[3]

[edit] Politician

After leaving the army, Godwin Abbe joined People's Democratic Party in 1999, and became chairman of the party in Edo State.^[3]

[edit] Minister of Interior

President Umaru Yar'Adua appointed Godwin Abbe as the Nigerian Minister of Interior in July 26, 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.^[4]

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.^[5] Soon after, he was appointed Minister of Defense, a key role in implementing the amnesty.^[1]

[edit] Minister of Defense

In September 2009, Abbe said that the Amnesty would not prevent security operatives from going after illegal oil bunkerers, whom he said would be treated as enemies of the state.^[6] 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.^[7]

[edit] References

v • d • e Governors of Rivers State This is a list of administrators and Governors of Rivers State, Nigeria. Rivers State was created in 1967 with the split of the Eastern Region of Nigeria. Name Title Took Office Left Office Party Notes Alfred Papapeye Diete-Spiff Governor 28 May 1967 Jul 1975 (Military) Zamani Lekwot Governor Jul 1975 Jul 1978 (Military) Suleiman Saida Governor Jul 1978 Oct 1979 (Military) Melford Obiene Okilo Governor Oct 1979 Dec 1983 NPN B.L. Letimah Governor Jan 1984 Aug 1985 (Military) Fidelis Oyakhilome Governor Aug 1985 1987 (Military) Anthony S. Ukpo Governor 1987 Jul 1988 (Military) Ernest Olawunmi Adelaye Governor Jul 1988 Aug 1990 (Military) Godwin Osagie Abbe Governor Aug 1990 Jan 1992 (Military) Rufus Ada-George Governor Jan 1992 Nov 1993 NRC Dauda Musa Komo Administrator 9 Dec 1993 22 Aug 1996 (Military) Musa Sheikh Shehu Administrator 22 Aug 1996 Aug 1998 (Military) Sam Ewang Administrator Aug 1998 May 1999 (Military) Peter Odili Governor 29 May 1999 29 May 2007 PDP Celestine Omehia Governor 29 May 2007 26 Oct 2007 PDP Rotimi Amaechi Governor 26 Oct 2007 PDP

v • d • e Governors of Akwa Ibom State This is a list of administrators and governors of Akwa Ibom State. Akwa Ibom State was formed in 1987 when it was split from Cross River State. Name Title Took Office Left Office Party Notes Tunde Ogbeha Governor 28 September 1987 30 July 1988 - Godwin Abbe Governor 31 July 1988 5 September 1990 - Idongesit Nkanga Governor 5 September 1990 2 January 1992 - Obong Akpan Isemin Governor 2 January 1992 18 November 1993 NRC Yakubu Bako Administrator 15 December 1993 21 August 1996 - Joseph Adeusi Administrator 21 August 1996 9 August 1998 - John Ebiye Administrator 9 August 1998 29 May 1999 - Obong Victor Attah Governor 29 May 1999 29 May 2007 PDP Godswill Akpabio Governor 29 May 2007 Present PDP