![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-300x200.jpg "Anthony Odiong: Nigerian Catholic priest sentenced to life in prison over sexual assault")
Following her successful Guinness World Record-breaking display in a 93-hour cook-a-thon, Chef Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly called Hilda Baci, has been nominated to be inducted into the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Hall of Fame.
The motion was moved during Thursday’s plenary session of the House of Assembly, in which the members unanimously concurred with a motion sponsored by the member representing Nsit Ubium state constituency and deputy leader, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob.
Bob, in his motion, recalled that Bassey, on completion of the 93 hours and 11 minutes cook-a-thon, had created more than 55 recipes and over 100 meals, including local delicacies peculiar to Akwa Ibom State, a feat he stressed should be commendable.
He said that the State Assembly has a custom of officially giving credence and commendations to true ambassadors of the state who are achieving great things on the global scene.
He mentioned some notable Akwa indigenes who had attained such heights and were generously honored to include Ime Ime Umanah, the first black African president of the prestigious Harvard Law Review, and Master Stephen Udotong, a Nigerian whiz-kid in the United States who built the first nuclear fusor in 2017, among others.
Members of the House, including Rt. Hon. Asuquo Nana (Ikono), Rt. Hon. Effiong Johnson (Mbo), Hon. Jerry Otu (Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara), and Hon. (Mrs.) Itoro Etim (Uruan), supported the motion, maintaining that Hilda Bassey had projected the state in a good light to deserve the honor.
They noted that recognition of Bassey’s success would serve as a morale booster and encouragement to other Akwa Ibomites who may wish to attempt positive feats in different endeavors of life.
Responding, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, directed the clerk of the House, Nsikak-Abasi Orok, to issue an official congratulatory message and forward the same to Hilda Bassey.
![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 "Anthony Odiong: Nigerian Catholic priest sentenced to life in prison over sexual assault")
