Nigerian celebrity barman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has opened up about his absence from Davido’s wedding in Miami, Florida, citing long-standing US visa challenges.
In an Instagram statement on Saturday, Cubana Chief Priest stated that he awoke with “mixed feelings”, expressing both joy for the couple and sadness for missing the event.
He mentioned that sometimes, life’s challenges serve as a reminder of human limitations, despite personal success.
Sharing a video from Davido’s traditional wedding held in Lagos in 2024, the entrepreneur wrote, “Woke up this morning with mixed feelings. I’m happy, and I’m still sad at the same time.
“Sometimes, God has a way of making you understand that you are powerless regardless of all you may think you have.”
Reacting to criticism over his absence from the white wedding, Cubana Chief Priest said, “I appreciate the bashing because that has given me multiple reasons and proofs to apply again.”
Speaking to the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, the entrepreneur wrote, “#usinnigeria, do it for me this time. You can clearly see how disappointed and hurt the world is to see me absent at my best friend’s wedding. You need to give me access to get my fat ass into America. Well, delay is never denial — CP is still hopeful.”
Despite his absence, Cuba’s Chief Priest stated that his wife and family were present at the wedding to represent him.
He wrote, “The largest part of me, which is my family, my beautiful, elegant, expensive, eloquent and sophisticated wife #_deangels, is there to share in this luxury blissful experience. So I’m there in body and spirit.
Earlier in January, Cubana Chief Priest disclosed on Channels TV’s Rubbin’ Minds that flaws in his first visa application, which was completed by someone else when he was younger, have persisted in the US immigration system and continue to result in denials.
“I have been denied access to America. If I had a visa to enter Yankee today, it would be a dream come true,” Cubana Chief Priest said.
“Somebody filled out my form when I was much younger and was trying to get into America. Some mistakes were coming up during interviews. And I think they have it on their system. Anytime I came, it kept popping up.
“David tells me about America and the lifestyle. It is something I want to experience. I hope very soon I am going to get access to get into Yankee,” he said.
“I’m wishing my best friend #davido and his beautiful wife #thechefchi an amazing wedlock.”
He also mentioned that he will reapply for a visa next week, saying, “#usinnigeria I’m in again next week. Please give me access to the greatest country in the world. This pain is really painful.”
![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 "Anthony Odiong: Nigerian Catholic priest sentenced to life in prison over sexual assault")