Governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Edo, and Delta states in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria have commended President Bola Tinubu for initiating the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
This was disclosed at the 12th gathering of South-South governors, also known as BRACED Commission Governor Council (Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta), convened in the conference hall of the Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa took place on Tuesday, April 31st.
Presided over by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, alongside Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, and other representatives, discussions centred on regional development and cooperation.
Following deliberations behind closed doors, the council appreciated the Federal Government for the progress made on the newly awarded Lagos-Calabar Coastal road.
The South-South governors, however, emphasised the importance of expediting work on the East-West Road.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki said, “The council also called on the Federal Government to expedite work on the East-West road. We thanked Mr. President, President Bola Tinubu, for commencing the construction of the coastal road from Lagos to Calabar and appealed for speedy completion. Work should also commence from the Calabar end.”
Upon completion, the highway will link coastal communities with major commercial hubs across Nigeria.
The South-South governors also condemned the killing of soldiers in the Okuama community of Delta State.
It urged for a reconsideration of the role of military forces in resolving conflicts across Delta communities.
“In very unequivocal terms, the council condemned the killing of 17 Military Officers in Okuama and extends condolences to the Commander-In-Chief, the military hierarchy, and especially to the families of the bereaved officers,” stated Governor Obaseki.
“The council called on the Federal Government to properly define the missions of troops deployed to our region. Their involvement in communities, boundary disputes, business, or family disputes should not be part of the military operational mission,” Obaseki added.
Beyond security concerns, the BRACED Commission also prioritises improving interconnectivity among member states and addressing the issue of inadequate electricity supply in the oil-rich region.
![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")
