![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?")
Chairman, Heirs Holdings and founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation; Tony O. Elumelu has called on African Heads of State to develop policies to attract Private Sector Investment.
He made this call while speaking to private sector captains, global investment leaders and key players in Africa’s development sector at a plenary discussion at the Africa Investment Forum titled: Championing Investments in Africa – Conversations with the private sector.
The event organised by the African Development Bank featured robust and interactive conversations on the investment landscape of Africa with a view to articulate fresh strategies that strengthen the economic framework of the continent, as well as map out a bold blue print to attract and retain private global capital.
At the plenary session with Mr Tony O. Elumelu were Edouard Ngirente – Prime Minister of Rwanda, Philemon Yang – Prime Minister of Cameroon, President Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia and President Macky Sall of Senegal.
This critical conversation comes on the heels of the recently held Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Forum – the largest gathering of African entrepreneurs in which Mr Elumelu, in an interactive session with President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya shared his broad business insight and tackled the peculiar challenges young Africans face in doing business on the continent.
Speaking on the importance of creating an enabling environment to attract foreign investments, Mr Elumelu said “Beyond signing deals, we need to make sure our deals work.
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“Our leaders need to go back and reform our policies and economic framework.” He further spoke on the need to attract the global investment community by leaving a visible trail of businesses successes.
Addressing the guests on the critical role the Forum plays in shaping a new African narrative, President of the African Develop Bank, Akinwunmi Adesina said “no country has developed by aid, but countries develop by the discipline of their investments.”
The Africa Investment Forum is indicative of the culminating efforts and clearer vision of both private and public sector leaders across the continent – depicted through stronger bilateral relationships and a bolder resolve to tackle development impediments
![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?")
