Nnadozie Foundation aims to reach out to more of the less privileged families locally and globally, putting smiles on their faces by granting every support as they would need. Nnadozie Foundation is a Non – Profit Organization created in October 2019 by Pastor LIVINUS POLYCARP NNADOZIE with the support of his children. The foundation is managed by SmartAssist Empowerment Center, a Non – Government
al Organization located in Lagos, Nigeria. BIOGRAPHY
At the end of every life, there is a story to tell, either for good or for bad. Every person leaves behind a trail of tales worth relaying to succeeding generations, which either casts them as heroes or zeroes. Some stories are suitable for the trashcan of life, while others, though curiously few, are golden and suited for the hall of fame. Gracefully, Pastor Livinus Polycarp Nnadozie belongs in the noble cast of persons who left behind remarkable legacies worth celebrating. Nnadozie was born to Pa Nnadozie and Ma Nkwuaku of the Ekwegbara Kindred in Ubadara, Ohakpu Town in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State on the 16th of April, 1943. His parents were poor farmers, and he was expected to continue in the family tradition of peasant farming, but he told his father that he would break the tradition and bring honour to his family. The little dream of that little boy at that time led to him achieving many firsts in his town including the establishment of the first Deeper Life Bible Church in that small town in the 80s. Daddy Nnadozie attended Saint Alloysius Primary School, Ohakpu after which he attended the Technical School at Onitsha as his parents could not afford the school fees of the Secondary School in Owerri where he gained admission with excellent grades. He obtained his City and Guilds Certificate from the London Institute after which he proceeded to become an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA, United Kingdom). When the Nigerian body was formed, Daddy was inducted without need for any exams. Daddy worked in various places, but spent the bulk of his secular career working in United Trading Company Limited (now UTC Plc). While there, he had rapid promotions as a result of his competence and commitment to work. He was at various times the Technical Manager at Matori, Branch Manager at various UTC Departmental Stores and rose to become a Senior Manager in UTC as far back as the mid 80s. Eventually, he received the call from the Lord to leave every secular job (which he had combined from 1973) and devote the remaining of his life to the Lord. He immediately responded to the call. Daddy is well travelled and has been to various countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, The Americas (including a number of the Caribbean countries). Regardless of the original intention of his trips, he ensured that he used the opportunity to evangelize souls and work in establishing the church. His Manners
Pastor Nnadozie operated with understated elegance. He was a man of great humility who was never uncomfortable associating with anyone. He encouraged his family to accept anyone into the house, sometimes at great sacrifice and cost to the family. His drive was top notch and his commitment to God and leadership difficult to explain. He had the heart of a pastor and would patiently listen to people who sought his audience, counsel, advice or intervention. Even where someone was talking amiss, he corrected in love. He would gently guide them to the right path. His large heart never wanted anyone to suffer. He was always concerned about lives and families. He made his home or office a place of reconciliation and went at great lengths to ensure the oppressed were liberated. Daddy’s vision was clear to everyone including his extended family members who felt he was acting irrationally by leaving a well paid promising job for a role in the church at that time. However, it became clear to everyone, including those who opposed his decision to serve the Lord full-time, that he made the right choice. Daddy was a purposeful man of peace. He achieved his goals and ensured reconciliation was made where people were offended. His roles in the church sometimes pitted him against some of his close friends and allies, but he never compromised the laid down standards. Daddy was also a detailed and orderly man. He took notes and ensured things were in place. He was too given to orderliness that life outside the structures he had operated in was often difficult. He trusted people to a fault and believed everyone should have similar goals of living righteous lives. At home, workplace or elsewhere, he was an example of a sanctified soldier of the cross. He never allowed accusation, persecution, or misunderstanding stop him from putting his heart to the right cause. His Ministry
Pastor Livinus Nnadozie was born again in 1971 at the Free Gospel Mission in Lagos. He was a teacher of the word and an evangelist. After his conversion, he decided to remain in the Catholic Church where he joined hands with other ministers to start Bible Study in the Catholic Church. Part of that group eventually crystalized into the Charismatic movement which started in the Catholic Church at Apapa. They were called severally by the Priests and rebuked for teaching the gospel, but the group was relentless and passionate about ensuring Catholics realized the futility in idolatry and religion to follow Christ. The Priest finally banned all their meetings from the vicinity of the church, but they took their programs outside the church. The leading Charismatic Churches in the country today are fruits of the four devoted ministers (including daddy) that decided to take Christ back to the Catholic church. Between 1971 and 1974, they continued searching the scriptures and teaching themselves and he devoted a lot of his passion to this work. A very unusual encounter took place in 1974 to Daddy Nnadozie that commenced a journey of 47 years. A friend approached him and told him to come see a preacher of the word that taught the Bible as if he was there when it was written. Anywhere daddy felt would increase his knowledge of the scriptures was not a place to toy with, hence he went with the man to Flat 2 at the University of Lagos, where he listened to Brother W. Kumuyi (as the GS was then called) preaching and digging deep into the Bible. He was mesmerized by the lecturer’s simple but deep exposition of the scriptures. This systematic approach to scriptures and the passion of the teacher created an unquenchable hunger in him and for the next few decades, he continued studying and teaching under the GS. There was no time to waste again, so he went back and told his fellow ministers in the charismatic ministry to collapse their group into the new Bible Study group or align with it. Of course, it was a very tough decision they were becoming established in the Catholic Charismatic movement. After waiting for their decision, Daddy eventually decided to leave and focus on the Deeper Christian Life Ministry. He joined in 1974 and continued until he was finally called home to glory after 47 unbroken years of service to God in one ministry. He never rejected any assignment given to him by the General Superintendent, but served in various roles without complaint. His peaceful candor and restraint (both in public and in private) despite seeming frustrations remains a lesson in humility and total surrender to Christ. Daddy served in various roles in the church, including the following:
Board of Trustees, Deeper Christian Life Ministry. Board of Directors, Life Press Limited
Church Secretary (at various times)
State Overseer, Ebonyi State
General Manager, Life Press
General Manager, Life Tapes
Central Vetting Committee
Central Marriage Committee
Headquarters Personnel Committee and many others
Zonal Leader, Alimosho Zone (which is now Old Alimosho District and parts of Old Agege and Isolo Districts which were ceded. Ceded parts includes Meiran, Oke-Odo to Old Agege and Egan, Igando, Isheri, Egbeda, Idimu to Old Isolo)
Group Pastor, Ikeja
Group Pastor, Alimosho
Group Pastor, Ipaja
Group Pastor, Ayobo
Bible Study Group Leader, Maroko Centre
Bible Study Group Leader, Akodo Centre
Bible Study Group Leader, Epe Centre
Short Term Missions, Special Assignment and Church Planting in more than 10 countries including Zambia, Swaziland, Kenya, Ghana, Russia, South Africa,
In addition, daddy was also part of the core team assigned by the GS to handle a number of strategic assignments in the church including the relocation to the Deeper Life Conference Centre (under a very short notice), the rebuilding of the international headquarters, DCLM Gbagada, structuring of the church administration system, development of the church approval structure, the development of the first full-time workers’ manual, streamlining and alignment of full-time workers remuneration across the country. Daddy was at various times Camp Commandants of Retreats, Leadership Strategy Congresses and special programs and ministered in many of them. Daddy’s last assignment before his transition was as a Group Pastor in Ayobo after his retirement from the church. The transformation of the group is a testament to his evangelistic work and belief in leaders. The work that started as one remote district about 15 years ago is now three Groups of Districts with over 25 churches (districts and locations). His Motivations
Daddy’s major motivations were holiness, heaven and helps. His favourite Bible passage is in 1st John and his most quoted verses are 6 to 8: “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil”. Where required, he would put everything he had at risk, just to push forward the holiness agenda. He was a Christian in an out and lived a life of peace and holiness. Heaven was also a major driving factor and he lived to lay up treasures in heaven. He spoke about the heavenly mansions, the glory of heaven and the need to let everything here on earth pale to inconsequential dot when heaven is concerned. He was not interested in any earthly possession. Daddy was deeply involved in the helps ministry and was always looking for those to assist. Until the last few years of his life, the family house was always open to various people. It would often be so congested during church programs that even the sitting room became bedspace for ministers. The frontage of the house was car park and sleeping areas for many to the point some people assumed the property and land belonged to the church. Daddy also sponsored many to schools and supported them. He connected people to helpers and never overlooked an opportunity to be a blessing to others. In furtherance of his helping ministry, the children decided to honour him by establishing the L. Nnadozie Foundation, on 5th of October, 2019. The foundation was set up to assist children with educational needs, orphans and widows. The launching of the foundation with the theme Back to School, took off with over 200 children and women in attendance. School packs (including branded books, bags, pens and others) with cash were distributed to the children. The foundation and the legacy he left behind lives on. The Miracles
The greatest life-changing and destiny fulfilling miracle that happened to Daddy is the salvation of his soul. Even though a moralist and a young man of high integrity and commitment, he was devoted to the Catholic Church. One day, a couple of friends invited him to listen to the gospel in 1971. The message was fresh and different from the norm in the Catholic Church and he realized that there was a difference between religion and righteousness. He decided to take a decision for Christ, and he continued with the Lord until he got various Christian experiences. This noble decision to accept Christ at the Free Gospel Mission started a flurry of activities that many thought would be short-lived, but he continued all through his life. Throughout his 50 years walk with the Lord, he broke away from orthodox traditions and culture which he had been part of. He also redefined his friendships and association. As expected, this led to persecutions from home and in Lagos, but he never gave up. The grace given to him to bear his time of persecution became the oiled vessel through which he was able to support those passing through persecutions later in his ministry. After his encounter with the Lord, Daddy continued in the service of the Lord. His life was full of miracles. The following are very few of the notable miracles that were experienced in his life:
While working in Ghana as a bar attendant (without knowledge of any clear danger to his job then), a man under the influence of alcohol approached him and told him that he was too blessed with a destiny that was far above the people he was serving. The drunk told him to leave the bar and go back to school and read regardless of the challenges he would face. God used the drunk (like the case of Balaam and the talking donkey) to redirect him. He immediately returned to Nigeria, miraculously got sponsors, registered for his exams, passed in flying colours and started a career which took him to many places and culminated in his becoming the Church Secretary of Deeper Christian Life Ministry. During one of the very difficult times after he joined the full-time work with the church, daddy could not raise enough money to feed the family and had to depend on the little foodstuff at home. But to the amazement of the family, the Lord multiplied the food and, rather than decrease, the quantity remained despite consumption. This miraculous provision continued until, out of curiosity, we decided to measure what was left in the container contrary to daddy’s advice; when we did, the miracle ceased. Before long, the Lord met the family’s needs and we had more food and finance. On his way from Gbagada after one of the late night meetings in the mid 80s, daddy had an ugly encounter with armed robbers. The family had just relocated from Iyana Ipaja to Ayobo beside the then International Bible Training Centre (the location now for Anchor University, Lagos). As a gesture, daddy normally assisted the brethren whenever he was going to or coming back from church in his brand new official vehicle – a Peugeot 504, which was one of the most admired cars at that time. The robbers stopped him as he waited for some of the leaders to alight at Iyana Ipaja bus stop. He waited patiently praying, not knowing what next would happen. One of them cocked his gun and shot him. Miraculously, the gun jammed to the surprise of the robbers. The experience put fear into them and they began to panick immediately. Daddy and the brethren escaped unhurt, to the glory of God. While he was in Ebonyi State as an Overseer, the General Superintendent came in for a crusade. For the first time in the history of that state, the GS got a presidential welcome by the Governor and the state experienced outstanding miracles including the bringing back to life of a dead woman. The state was also able to establish many souls, build churches and complete many projects during his tenure. Ebonyi moved from being a fringe state (hitherto treated like a region) to a full-fledged state. Daddy was passionate about the family and believed in people. Many marriages were consummated or saved from collapse by his intervention, prayers and counselling. Most of those marriages are visible testimonies of the divine gift the Lord gave to this soft-spoken but serious-minded servant of the Lord to bring love and hope to families. A Mentor
Pastor Livinus Nnadozie was a great mentor. He has mentored and supported many leaders in the church who are today National Overseers, State Overseers, Region Overseers, Group Pastors and leaders in various categories. Some have even gone ahead to become Founders and General Overseers of other churches. His mentorship was not bound by denominational barriers. His house and office received many leaders of various churches who sought his counsel on family life, ministry, church administration and others. His passion was to ensure lives were fulfilled. Daddy was a believer in people regardless of their age, tribe or pedigree. He believed that with deliberate actions, every man would be able to thrive. His ability to spot talents and groom them before allowing them to soar above the skies was novel. He believed the gifted should be allowed to showcase their gifts. Where he found someone more gifted than he is in a task, he gently stepped aside and allowed the talented to blossom. We recall his very popular night vigils in Ipaja Group at a time when he was the Group Pastor. However, except you were a member of the church, you would never know the Group Pastor was the one who would lead the Praise session while he handed over the major prayer sessions to one of his zonal leaders who was gifted in the prayer ministry. His action depicted the true sanctification experience. Aside his biological children, he has a lot of adopted children who are now ministers both in and outside our church. Pastor Nnadozie’s mentorship was not an eazy task though. He could be rigid in driving one towards being the best, but never gave up on anyone. Our Memories
Daddy got married to Mummy, Ethel Nnadozie, in 1974. Daddy loved his family and gave his best for them. He was an angel to the family and everyone was always proud to be associated with him. One thing we would always remember was the purchase of Bibles. We always had to have good looking Bibles. Whenever anyone’s Bible was getting old, daddy always without hesitation replaced it. He believed that the Bible needed to be the centrepiece of every house. His house would always have various types of Bibles placed on the centre table and on every bed. He also encouraged everyone to read through the Bible annually. His devotions entailed going through long Bible passages and long prayers. Everyone must read passages from the Bible and everyone would also say a prayer before daddy rounded up the prayer. As children, we found the devotions very long, but as we grew up, the foundations laid became a strong base for who we are today. We can never forget the devotions always taken in a calm manner as if it was the last devotion we would have. Even though daddy’s name opened doors, he trained every one of his children to be independent and stand on their own. He and mummy set very high standards of education for all the children, but one thing remained much more important – heaven for his family. He moved to Ayobo in 1985 and when we asked him why we were moving to a remote village when he had other options, daddy’s words were: “I have spent and will continue to spend my time to prepare you all for heaven. But if you refuse to hear, I have decided that the family would live close to the church, so that you will hear the message from the speakers and always remember that the family lived near the church”. Even though he never stopped us from associating with other ministries and churches, it is to the honour that all his children and grandchildren across the world today are still associated with Christ and Deeper Life. In addition, six of his children who are married, got married in the church and in his group out of respect for a man who has sacrificed so much to make us who we are. Daddy and mummy were very close and attended most functions together. Daddy was a family person to the core and loved coming home. In his last days, daddy prepared everyone for his soon exit. He called his first son and made him do a full reconciliation of all his accounts, after which he paid tithes on the gifts and funds credited to his account. In addition, he saw a team of angels dressed in white who had come to usher him to glory. At another time, he spoke to mummy and was showing her (she could not see them), some of the people who had gone before. A beloved pastor passed on recently and the information was withheld from daddy. When he eventually heard, he said he had seen the same pastor dressed in all white. Daddy called some of his children and told them that he was prepared to pass on to glory as he had finished his assignment. He told mummy that many of those he started with, were already celebrating, hence he should be released for his celebration. He arranged his files and documents and ensured two of his children knew about them before he passed on. Daddy told everyone close to him that he was going home. He made it clear to everyone that he was just waiting for the final call. He called for unity in the family and that mummy should be properly taken care of. He instructed that the funds in his account should be immediately transferred to her before his exit. He was so definite about the timing of his exit that everything here meant nothing to him again. His glimpse of heaven and the celebration awaiting him heightened his zeal to depart. Daddy made heaven look so real and prayed so much for all his children to ensure they meet him there. His narratives, his views of the people there, and what was awaiting him cannot be easily documented, but they were glorious. Every extra day spent here on earth for him was a delay in getting his reward. His life and exit remain a challenge to the family. Finally, on Saturday before his exit on Tuesday, he repeated his desire to go home and rest. He spent more time sleeping until the day of his transition. Then, he called for mummy and when he was told she just stepped out, he gazed around the house for the final time, closed his eyes and gently bidded the world goodbye. We mourn his exit, but we are comforted with the memories we have of him. Daddy may have exited this world, but the seeds he has sown in our lives would continue to flourish. We had pleaded with him to write books but he refused and said he remained committed to only writing articles for the church. However, we believe that what he has written in the hearts of men would outlive whatever he could “not write with paper and ink” (2 John 1:12). Good Morning Daddy Nnadozie, we shall meet you on that beautiful shore! the fulfillment of the dreams, vision, and passion of Pastor LIVINUS POLYCARP NNADOZIE to help the less privileged family, financially support the education of the less privileged children and feed the needy. The foundation organized a back-to-school project in October 5, 2019 at the Ayobo Axis of Lagos State, Nigeria partnering Crown Africa Foundation. The project reached out to around One Hundred (100) students ranging from Nursery School students to secondary school students. Educational items were provided, and scholarships given to selected few. Nnadozie to continue his vision of lending a helping hand to the helpless, especially the Children.
