The Enugu State Government aims to promote itself as Nigeria’s foremost gaming tourism destination.
It intends to achieve this through the Enugu State Gaming Conference, which will be held next month at the Amadeo Event Centre in Enugu.
According to a statement issued on Monday, the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission is organizing the conference to give a forum for industry stakeholders to explore the new potential and collaborations in the gaming sector.
The conference has the theme “Exploring the Future of Gaming: Innovations and Collaborations.”
Arinze Arum, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of ESGC, stated at the inaugural conference, “marks a pivotal moment for the gaming industry in Enugu State. It’s an opportunity for us to showcase how far we’ve come in regulating and managing the gaming landscape in our state”.
He said, “We believe that through strategic partnerships between casino operators and hospitality providers, we can unlock new avenues for growth and prosperity within our state.
“This conference is about more than just discussing ideas – it is about taking concrete steps towards making Enugu a premier destination for gaming enthusiasts.”
He noted that the conference would give delegates significant insights into regulatory processes, market trends, and prospective investment opportunities in the gaming industry.
He added that participants would have the unique chance to speak directly with the state Governor, Peter Mbah, about his goal for supporting sustainable growth in the industry.
Mbah is expected to attend the conference as the special guest of honour. ESGC regulates gaming, gambling, and lotto operations in the State.
![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")
