I was never denied US visa – Bishop Oyedepo

Bishop David Oyedepo, the senior pastor of the Living Faith Church
Worldwide, has denied reports claiming he was refused a visa by the US
Embassy.

Earlier today, Thisday newspaper published a report claiming the
clergyman was denied a visa at the United States embassy in Lagos state.

However, a statement released by the Chairman of the church’s
editorial and media board, Prof. Sheriff Folarin, said Oyedepo was never
at the US Embassy or Consulate on Thursday and was never denied a visa.
Read the statement below

Mainstream and online media spaces this morning were abuzz with the
news that Bishop David Oyedepo was denied entry visa to the United
States on Thursday, January 30, 2020. We wish to put it on record and
categorically submit that this piece of information is NOT TRUE. At no
time was the Bishop denied visa, nor did he create a scene at the US
consulate in Lagos, as purported by some mainstream and
online newspapers.

The Bishop renewed his visa, last year, without any initial denial or
drama, or scene. The Bishop was NOT at the Embassy or Consulate
yesterday or even anytime this year. Bishop has been in Canaanland all
this week. The last time he applied for visa, which was last year, he
was issued without delay.

We have been in touch with the US Embassy and they are as surprised
as we are about this FAKE NEWS, which some media houses decided to
spread.

We encourage the Nigerian media to always tow the line of due
diligence before rushing to press and try to at least reach the church
from time to time, whenever items try to pass through the rumour mill.
Professionalism and wisdom require this so as to maintain integrity and
make the media trusted in the society, particularly in this age that
fake news has become The News.

Bishop Oyedepo is a good friend of the US government and has a very
good relationship with US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria. He is a
social entrepreneur, who has touched so many lives in Nigeria, Africa,
United States and all around the world.

Prof. Sheriff F. Folarin

Chairman, Editorial and Media Board

LFCWW (Winners’ Chapel Int’l)