![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 "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")
By Kingsley Obiegbu
It has been reiterated globally that the immense contribution of women in the socio-economic advancement of the continent can’t be over-emphasized. This and many more are the reasons for the need to include women in administrative roles for sustainable development in the country.
The nation’s National Assembly being in its 10th Assembly, is on the verge of electing notable lawmakers to direct its affairs for the roles of Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader, Deputy Majority leader, Chief Whip, and Deputy Chief Whip to mention a few, and recently the National Working Committee of the ruling party APC endorsed Hon. Tajudeen Abbass (Kaduna) and Hon. Benjamin Kanu (Abia) as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively. This move has not gone well with some lawmakers, thereby asking the NWC to seek deep consultation.
This move by the party to select those that will steer the leadership positions in the Federal House of Representatives seems to have thrown up dissenting voices that are bent on rocking the boat and thereby going against its party-approved candidates to elect those they seem as right for their interest.
In this ensuing drama in the house amongst members elect of the lower chambers of the assembly, a woman from Imo state by the name Rt. Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha seems to be the only female lawmaker poised to make a good impression for good governance in leadership as she has spoken to be considered for a spot in the top four of the House leadership as who gets what hots up.
The agitation for women to be considered for the top four positions at the National Assembly became paramount and a necessity for the sake of gender equity.
And one such woman is RT Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha representing Okigwe North at the House of Representatives. She is the only female lawmaker from South East and South South elected to serve in the incoming 10th Assembly to be inaugurated in June.
She earlier made her aspiration known for the post of Speaker of the 10th Assembly a month ago but chose to abide by the party laid down decisions to choose whom they selected to lead the House.
A ranking member by all means, Rt Hon Princess Miriam Onuoha has displayed significant character, in-depth legislative knowledge, and indeed a bold voice in the affairs of the House of Representatives since she continued to play vital roles in matters affecting the legislative house and the country at large, little wonder the call of service of her fatherland is about to take her higher in her pursuit of delivering good governance to her constituents and the Nation at large.
Her appointment into the House Leadership will in no small way, contribute significantly to inclusive governance and National development as many women are frowning at the level of being underrepresented at all tiers of governance in the country.
Rt. Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha is ready to bridge that gap and discharge her duties diligently to the admiration of the citizens.
The incoming 10th Assembly will find in her qualities it needs to pursue cohesive leadership as required in sane climes, where women are given a voice to speak out for their constituents.
It is also in this vein of gender equality as highly recommended by the UN that a coalition of over 231 women organizations, under the umbrella of Womanifesto demanded the inclusion of women in the leadership of the 10th Assembly.
A woman like Rt. Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha if called to become one of the members of House Leaders will represent about 50% of women in the country, which will serve as a matter of equity and social inclusion. This move if implemented will surely soothe the mindset of women groups in the country and encourage more women’s participation in politics.
The record has it that in Nigeria’s 24 years of democracy, no woman has become Senate President or Deputy Senate President. It was Hon. Patricia Etteh who in 2007 was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, while Hon. Mulikat Akande became the first female Majority Leader in the National Assembly.
The call for women’s inclusion among the Top 4 at the 10th Assembly has begun and Rt. Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha is best qualified for any of the slots available to her.
A brief foray into her educational history shows that she also attended Aquinas Model Secondary School Osu, where she got her Senior Secondary Certificate. She proceeded to study at the University of Lagos and graduated with a bachelor’s Degree in Estate Management. She attended the University of Abuja and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Environmental Planning and Protection ( MEPP).
Rt. Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha before joining the Federal House of Representatives served as a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Bayelsa State on International Development Cooperation amongst other previous political engagements.
Miriam Onuoha was also a Board member of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) She was a member of the State Implementation Committee (Subsidy Reinvestment Program Sure-P) Community Services, Women and Youth Employment Scheme: a task which earned her the name – MAMA SURE P.
Rt. Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha was elected on the 25th of January 2020 on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) into the House of Representatives, representing Okigwe North Federal Constituency.
During her first tenure in the Green Chambers, she was the maiden House Committee Chairman on persons with Disabilities and Special Needs, she sponsored many Impactful Motions and Bills, one of which is the establishment of the Federal College of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Sciences, Isiala Mbano LGA, Federal College of Horticulture Okigwe, Federal Medical Centre Okigwe all at the Senate for concurrence and presidential assent.
The female lawmaker endeared herself to her constituents, by offering robust and visibly impactful representation to them. Little wonder, they overwhelming returned her for another tenure in office on the 25 of February 2023,
Indeed this amazon who is the lone voice for all female politicians in the Federal House of Representatives from the South East has a lot to offer in line to service delivery to the growth of the nation, and what better way to reward excellence than to ensure that her elevation into the leadership of the lower chambers is given utmost priority.
Let the Amazon fly!
Kingsley Obiegbu (K-Zone) writes from Abuja
![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 "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")
