![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 presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has lamented the exit of Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing (JSM) Company from Nigeria.
Chronicle NG reports that the company (JSM), reputed to be the largest syringe manufacturing venture in Africa, stopped production many months ago, it finally announced the end of operations on December 31, 2023.
“After careful consideration and a thorough evaluation of our current business situation, we regret to inform you that we must implement temporary measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the company.” the company said in a memo sighted by Chronicle NG.
Reacting to the development, Obi in a statement issued via his verified X handle, described the situation as a “sad development”.
“The reported exit from Nigeria of Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing (JSM), located in Awa, Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, the largest syringe manufacturer in Africa, is yet another painful development on our national journey.
“This very sad development, where multinational companies continue to exit Nigeria, should worry every concerned Nigerian. This ugly development contrasts the Government’s claim that the regime is attracting investors.
“I had earlier joined other Nigerians in lamenting the exit of some multinationals like GlaxoSmithKline, GSK; Procter and Gamble, P&G; Equinor ASA, and many others, and indeed many local businesses who have shut down over the same reason of not perceiving any prospect for the country as a business environment that would be anchored on productivity.
“The dire economic implications of such exits on our national economy are grave. Aside the resulting jobs losses, its cost effects on the products they produce, worsening poverty index, capital flight, and loss of human assets, I am particularly concerned about the negative impacts of such exits on our health sector.
“The combined effect of the exit of GSK, a giant pharmaceutical company, and now Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing (JSM) whose operations directly impacted on our national health, will further stifle our health sector already on life support. These sad developments are the results of poor management of our economy.
“The government must therefore turn around this ugly trend, to not only discourage more business shutdowns in Nigeria but also encourage a high inflow of foreign direct investment and local investment in the nation. This they can do by building a conducive environment that will encourage productivity and business growth. As I have consistently maintained, the New Nigeria, we all look forward to, will focus on moving the nation from consumption to production, and from unproductivity to productivity. This will attract foreign and local investors, create jobs, and foster productivity and prosperity in the nation.” the statement reads:
![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")
