Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state on Thursday confirmed that four persons have so far died of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the state.
The governor made the disclosure in Lafia at the review meeting of the state’s COVID-19 committee.
According to the governor, the state unfortunately recorded four deaths including the member of the state assembly representing Nasarawa-West out of the 90 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state.
The governor also said that 705 samples were taken from the state to the Nigeria Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) for testing since the pandemic started.
“Out of the 705 samples taken, we have so far received 658 results and 90 were confirmed positive, while results of the remaining are still being awaited.
“Those receiving treatment at the various isolation centres in the state are so far responding to treatment,” Sule added.
The governor assured the people of the state that the government under his leadership would always prioritize their welfare, health and security in line with the oath of office.
He also expressed gratitude to traditional rulers, security, health personnel, journalists and other stakeholders for their efforts toward containing the virus.
Sule also thanked God for sparing the life of Joseph Masin, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state who recently regained his freedom from kidnapers.
He expressed gratitude to the security agencies for their efforts and his family and indeed the entire Christians in the state for their patient during the abduction of the CAN Chairman.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
