![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 "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Nigerian Breweries PLC will on February 9 sign a sponsorship agreement in Lagos.
Ademola Olajire, Head of Communication of NFF, said in a statement on Monday that it would be a “remarkable sponsorship agreement.”
It said that NFF President Amaju Pinnick, was “excited and fulfilled” to seal the agreements with Nigerian Breweries PLC.
“Nigerian Breweries is an organisation that has been a torch bearer of excellence and corporate social responsibility for the several decades it has operated in Nigeria,” the statement added.
The Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, a marketing agent for NFF confirmed that the initial contract is for a period of five years with an option for renewal.
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The Chief Executive of the company, Mike Itemuagbor, said that such sponsorship deals are good for the development of football in Nigeria.
“This is a very good deal for the NFF and the National Teams. Nigerian Breweries Plc is committing a huge sum to this sponsorship agreement.
“But the more important aspect is the activation of the contract, which the company has an unrivalled pedigree in doing and which it is committed to doing with this contract as well.
“Pamodzi is happy to be the sponsorship agency to this worthy alliance.
“Nigerian Football is on the upswing and Nigerian Breweries Plc remains a formidable establishment always looking to improve on the satisfaction it gives its customers while remaining committed to lofty corporate social responsibility initiatives,” he said.
