By Balogun Kamilu Lekan
Biography
Bishop David Olaniyi Oyedepo was born on September 27, 1954, in Osogbo.
He is a preacher, author, businessman, architect, and the founder and presiding Bishop of the Faith Tabernacle and Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel International.
Oyedepo, 68, is a native of Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Though a renowned bishop, Oyedepo was raised by a Muslim father, Ibrahim, and a Christian mother, Dorcas.
He was inspired by his grandmother, who raised him and tutored him through the tenets of Christianity.
Oyedepo has unarguably grown to be one of the richest pastors in Nigeria and the world.
He was named by Forbes in 2011 as one of the richest pastors in Nigeria.
Education
Bishop David attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, where he bagged a diploma in Architecture.
He is also a recipient of a PhD in Human Development from Honolulu University, Hawaii, US.
Career
Oyedepo worked with the Federal Ministry of Housing in Ilorin before concentrating on missionary work.
Through the influence of Betty Lasher, his teacher during his high school days, he became born again in 1969.
David reportedly claimed to have received an 18-hour vision from God in 1981 which inspired him to take on the gospel work. This vision, he claimed, inspired the creation of the Living Faith Church World Wide, formerly known as Liberation Faith Hour Ministries.
In 1983, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye ordained David and his wife as pastors and was ordained a bishop five years later.
He started his church, Winners Chapel International, in Kaduna before moving to Lagos.
The church has now grown both locally and internationally in about 300 cities, with a presence in all 36 Nigerian states, the United States, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.
Unarguably, Oyedepo is one of the most influential preachers in Nigeria and the pioneer of the Christian charismatic movement in Africa.
Marriage
Bishop David Oyedepo is married to Faith Oyedepo. Their union is blessed with four children.
- David Jr,
- Isaac,
- Love
- Joyce
Net worth
Oyedepo is undoubtedly one of the richest pastors in Nigeria. The pastor reportedly owns fleets of cars and four private jets, including several buildings in London and the US.
He is also the author of many books which have sold millions of copies. He also owns Covenant University, which reportedly ranks among the most expensive universities in Nigeria. In addition, he also owns Faith Academy, Crown University, and Kingdom Heritage Model Schools.
His net worth is reportedly valued at an estimated ?92 BILLION. However, this cannot be independently verified by NewsWireNGR.
Achievements
Bishop David is the Chancellor of Covenant University and Landmark University in Nigeria.
His church headquarter is sitting on a 530-acre (2.1 km2) facility. It has a 50,000-seat capacity auditorium making it the largest church auditorium in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. The edifice was constructed within 12 months
The construction was completed within 12 months and the building was built debt free. This 50,000-seat edifice was dedicated on September 18, 1999, under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The church’s main community, Canaan Land Ota, Ogun state is a 5,000-acre property. With an estate, the church auditorium, the church secretariat, the church’s youth chapel, Kingdom heritage model school, a full boarding school called Faith Academy, with over 1,500 students and the Covenant University facilities – of over fully resident 7,000 students.
The property also has its own bakery, water processing plant, gas station, restaurants, shopping stores, several residential houses for over 2,000 church employees and guesthouses. In addition, it also hosts four banks and a 15,000 housing estate known as Canaan City
The church hosts its biggest annual meeting, Shiloh in December which records thousands of worshippers across the world.
Bishop Oyedepo is also a renowned author with many books to his name. Some of these include:
- All You Need To Have All Your Needs Met
- Anointing For Exploits
- Born To Win
- Covenant Wealth
- Commanding The Supernatural
- Conquering Controlling Powers
- Exploits Of Faith
- Exploits In Ministry
- In Pursuit Of Vision
- Maximise Destiny
- Not By Power Nor By Might
- On Eagle’s Wings
- Pillars Of Destiny
- Signs & Wonders Today
- Success Systems
- Success Strategies
- The Breakthrough Power Of Vision
- The Turnaround Power Of The Word
- The Wisdom That Works
- The Unlimited Power Of Faith
- Understanding Financial Prosperity
- Understanding The Power Of Faith
- Understanding The Power Of Praise
- Understanding Your Covenant Right
- Walking In Dominion
- Winning The War Against Poverty
- Walking In Newness Of Life
- Exploring the Riches of Redemption
- Anointing For Breakthrough
- Breaking Financial Hardship
- Excellency Of Wisdom
- The Release Of Power
- Walking In The Miraculous
- Satan Get Lost!
- The Winning Wisdom
- Walking In Wisdom
- The Healing Balm
- Manifestations Of The Spirit
- Breaking The Curses Of Life
- Overcoming Forces Of Wickedness
- You Shall Not Be Barren!
- Exploring The Secrets Of Success
- Winning Prayer
- Understanding The Anointing
- Fulfilling Your Days
- Towards Mental Exploits
- Understanding Divine Direction
- Understanding Vision
- The Shower Of Blessing
- Riding On Prophetic Wings
- Operating In The Supernatural
- Ruling Your World
- The Blood Triumph
- Keys To Divine Health
- Put Your Angels To Work
- Keys To Answered Prayer
- Miracle Seed
- The Hidden Covenant Of Blessing
- Winning Faith
Some of his awards and recognitions include:
- Honorary Doctor of Divinity, Bethel Graduate School of Technology
- Name Inscribed in the Jerusalem 3000 Scroll #102268
- Frontline Christian Author of the Year, ECOWAS International Gold Award
- Enlisted on International Who is Who of Intellectuals, International Biographical Centre, 13th Edition.
- Man of Dignity, Global Care International
- Recognition of Leadership in Enhancing Academic and Research Excellence in Higher Education, Southern University and A&M College
- Distinguished Award for Excellence in Education, Administration, and Leadership, Obafemi Awolowo University
- Business Leadership Award, Gtext Media And Investment Limited
Controversy
Bishop Oyedepo is reportedly listed among the Nigerians who operated offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands.
A report alleged that Oyedepo sought the service of a London-based agent, Business Centrum Limited, to help him set up a company in the infamous tax haven for his immediate family and himself.
Part of the report reads “Business Centrum subsequently subcontracted Trident Trust Group, one of the world’s leading secrecy enablers and one of the most notorious providers of offshore corporate and financial services.
“The company, Zadok Investments Limited, was set up on August 20, 2007, with 50,000 ordinary shares with a value of $1.00 each.
“Although the directors of the company are Mr Oyedepo and his two sons – David (Junior) and Isaac, every member of Mr Oyedepo’s family are listed as shareholders.
“Mr Oyedepo and his wife, Faith, are the largest shareholders with 30 per cent of shares each.
“His children – David (junior), who in 2016 was appointed resident pastor of the headquarters of the church, known as Faith Tabernacle, has 10 per cent while Isaac, who is the resident pastor of the church’s branch in Maryland, the United States of America, also has 10 per cent of the shares.
“Love and Joy – the two daughters of the cleric – were similarly given 10 per cent shares each.
Disclaimer
The information in this article was curated from online sources. All details cannot be independently verified by NewsWireNGR or its editorial team.
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