Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau has congratulated Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama on his appointment by Pope Francis as the Archbishop of Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja.
The appointment of Archbishop Kaigama, who is the Archbishop of Jos Catholic Archdiocese followed the retirement of John Cardinal Olorunfemi Onaiyekan.
Lalong in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Simon Macham described the appointment as a higher calling to divine duty.
The governor said that the appointment was a testimony of Kaigama’s impeccable track record of service in the Lord’s vineyard over many decades.
He particularly expressed joy that the new Archbishop has tremendously contributed to the growth of the Catholic Church in Nigeria and Plateau in particular.
Lalong added that Kaigama had consistently availed the state of his wealth of wisdom and experience especially during difficult moments.
While calling on God to give him the grace to carry out his new assignment, Lalong assured Kaigama of continuous prayers and support of the government and people of Plateau.
He also congratulated John Cardinal Onaiyekan on his retirement after many years of meritorious service to the Catholic Church, Christendom and Nigeria at large.
According to Lalong, Onaiyekan stood for unity, justice reconciliation, accountability and righteousness.
He prayed to God to grant him good health and more wisdom as he enjoyed his life in retirement.
![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")
