Wike Extols Late Ake’s Virtues …Urges Hoteliers To Support Security Efforts

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has extolled the virtues of late former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Chief Godspower Ake as a developmental politician who offered fatherly advice  to all, irrespective of political leaning.
Speaking when he paid a condolence visit to the family of late Chief Godspower Ake in Port Harcourt on Monday, Wike declared that the Rivers State Government will participate in the burial of the late politician  because  he has served the state.
He said: “Chief G.U. Ake was a father to all of us despite the political  differences. He was a man who  never liked problems.
“We decided  to  come here to say that his death was not painful  only to his family,  but to the entire  state.
“His death was shocking to us. It is painful to the state because  he has served this state in various  capacities.
He said death is a necessary  end that will be the portion of every human being at the  appointed time.
He added, “we will stand with  you. Rivers State Government  will participate  in  the  burial  of our late father  because  he  served the state during his life time.
“He has played many roles and served many political  parties. God will  give the family  the strength to bear this loss. He was one of the leaders that everyone ran to for fatherly  advice. “
Speaking further, the governor said, “this has nothing to do  with  any political  party. Chief was a leader who served the state and all political  parties.”
Responding,  the widow of the former PDP State chairman,  Mrs Christina  Ake said that Chief G. U. Ake  has gone to meet with the  Lord.
She  said  the Late political  leader  was a gift to the  state, pointing  out  that  he  used his talents judiciously  to serve the people.
A brother of the late politician, Senator Wilson Ake was amongst the family members who received Governor Wike.
Wike was accompanied on the condolence  visit by former Acting National Chairman of the PDP,  Prince Uche Secondus, Senator Lee Maeba, Chief Sergeant Awuse, Senator George Sekibo, Prince Shedrach Akalokwu  and Prince Emma Anyanwu.
In another development, Governor Nyesom Wike, has implored hotel operators in the state to cooperate with the state government and security agencies by providing necessary information on guests in their respective hotels.
Wike  said  such information will assist security  agencies  to track down  wanted criminals and improve  the  security  of  lives and property.
Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Monday, when he granted audience to the Nigeria Hotels Association, Rivers State chapter, the governor said it would be counter-productive for the hotel operators to hide relevant information from the state government and security agencies.
The governor said, “you must support us to enhance security. You must relay to government and security agencies those who are lodging in various hotels. If you allow persons with questionable character to come and lodge in your hotels because of money, you will be at the receiving end when criminals engage in their nefarious activities”.
He urged the hotel operators to pay their taxes so that the state government can continue with its infrastructural development projects which will lead to increased patronage for the hotels.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Hotels Association of Nigeria, Rivers State branch, Mr Eugene Nwauzi, applauded the state government for creating an enabling environment for hotels to thrive in the state.