![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?")
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has stated that the state will try to guarantee that students at Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, fully benefit from the Federal Government’s student loan, which is administered by the Nigerian Educational Loan Fund.
Speaking at LASU’s 27th Convocation on Thursday, Sanwo-Olu stated that the Lagos State Government was committed to empowering students in state-owned higher institutions to reach their full potential during his administration.
“We aim to foster a generation of innovative thinkers, problem-solvers, and great leaders who will drive sustainable development in Lagos State and beyond.
“We will also, as the Lagos State Government, work with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to ensure that the new national student loan programme opens up to students of state-owned educational institutions in Nigeria, as promised and without delay. We will ensure that students of Lagos State University fully benefit from this laudable policy.”
Sanwo-Olu stated that society has a responsibility to give a clear message that intellectual excellence should never be overlooked or taken for granted.
“Our young people must see reason to hunger for it with the same energy and enthusiasm reserved these days for artistic and sporting success,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu congratulated the best-graduating student for the 2022-2023 session, Olaniyi Mubaraq Olawale, of the Accounting Education Department, with a CGPA of 4.98.
He said, “Congratulations to you, Olaniyi. This is a moment of great pride, not just for you but for all of us. To celebrate and honour you, I am announcing a cash gift of N10 million in recognition and honour of your outstanding feat.
“I believe that someone out there is working very hard to be the next Olaniyi Olawale, and I want to encourage you, wherever you might be now, to keep your eyes on that goal and make us all, as well as yourself, very proud.”
Speaking at the convocation, LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, said, “Today’s ceremony marks the concluding event of the 27th Convocation and a symbolic moment of fulfilment and pride for 89 Doctors of Philosophy and 66 professional doctoral degree graduands, who have demonstrated exemplary character and academic prowess to earn the highest degree of our esteemed university.”
![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?")
