Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has announced a donation of ₦1 billion to assist victims of the recent flood disaster in Mokwa Local Government Area.
The governor made the announcement during an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas, where several homes and properties were destroyed by the devastating floods.
While addressing residents, Bago stressed the importance of avoiding construction or habitation near waterways to prevent future loss of lives and property.
He commiserated with the victims and assured them that all cash and material donations from the federal government, individuals, and donor agencies would be used transparently and for the intended purposes.
The governor also reiterated his administration’s commitment to constructing a permanent drainage system and durable concrete bridges in Mokwa to mitigate future flood risks.
He expressed appreciation to individuals and organizations that had extended support to the affected communities, assuring that the state government would continue working to resettle both directly and indirectly affected victims.
Bago advised Islamic scholars in the area to keep proper documentation of pupils under their care to make it easier to trace them in emergency situations.
He concluded his visit with prayers for the repose of those who lost their lives in the flood.
![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")