Winners say Oyedepo not denied US entry Visa

• Reports Were Manufactured, Says US Embassy

The Living Faith Church, popularly known as Winners International, has denied media reports that its General Overseer (GO), Bishop David Oyedepo, was denied an entry visa into the United States (US). Also, the US Embassy in Nigeria confirmed that it did not deny Oyedepo visa, saying the reports were “manufactured.”

“Be advised, the reports making the rounds about a visa being denied to Nigerian Bishop Oyedepo are false,” the embassy tweeted.Some online and mainstream media had reported that Oyedepo was denied a visa into the US and that he caused a scene at the embassy.

But in a statement yesterday, Chairman, Editorial and Media Board of Winners, Prof. Sheriff Folarin, debunked the report, saying the bishop was at no time denied an entry visa into the US and could not have applied for any, as he still has a valid US visa on his passport.

Folarin said: “Mainstream and online media spaces this morning (yesterday) were abuzz with the news that Oyedepo was denied an entry visa to the US on Thursday, January 30, this year.

“We wish to put it on record and categorically submit that this information is not true. At no time was the bishop denied a 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. He was not at the embassy or consulate yesterday (on Thursday) or even anytime this year. Bishop has been in Canaan land all this week. The last time he applied for a visa, which was last year, he was issued without delay.”

He urged journalists to verify their facts before publishing, adding: “We have contacted 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 follow 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 society, particularly at this age that fake news has become the news.”