Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on Nigerians to rally around President Bola Tinubu for the success of his administration.
Tinubu was sworn on last May but since his government’s stoppage of fuel subsidy on petroleum, the cost of living has hit the rooftops, putting enormous pressure on the populace. But during the flag-off of the Kugbo Bus Terminal in Abuja, Senator Akpabio said with the support of the citizens, the Tinubu government will succeed.
“I have no doubt that by the time the president is through with his tenure in the country, seven years from today, many people will not recognise FCT, they will not recognise Nigeria again,” Akpabio said on Tuesday.
“So, all I can say is: let us continue to pray for him and be hopeful that the challenges you see today, tomorrow, you will see them no more.”
According to him, the flag-off of the project signals the government’s commitment to the welfare of the residents of the FCT.
“This is for me another major wonder of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. This is a way to cater to a city of this nature. This is a way to cater to the people of the area councils, the FCT residents and visitors alike,” the lawmaker said.
He also hailed Tinubu for picking Nyesom Wike as the Minister of the FCT.
“So, I believe that you are a square peg in a square hole and I must thank the President for having the eyes to pinpoint those who can perform and bringing them,” Akpabio told the gathering, describing the project as a hub that will help traffic decongestion, and tackle insecurity among others.
“He did it in Lagos and today, Lagos is one of the best; one of the largest economies in Africa when we are talking about cities.” Akpabio said.
![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")
