The governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Umo Eno said the state will work with the late Maj Gen Godwin Abbe’s family and the Nigerian Army to give him a befitting funeral.
Eno stated this in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Ekerete Udoh, in Uyo.
He described the passing of Abbe who was the second military governor of the state as “sad and painful”.
Abbe, a retired major-general, died in Abuja last Saturday, December 21 after a protracted illness.
The governor said 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 our identity.”
“Because he interpreted those ideals perfectly, our state has experienced exponential growth across all sectors and continues to be blessed with leaders who, as he was, were selfless, passionate, and committed to making Akwa Ibom a model of development, peace, and progress — 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,” Eno said.
The deceased was also former minister of defence during the administration of late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
