The Late Bishop (Retired) Samuel Deedua Banuna fought so many fights, not as a military or sport person but he fought a spiritual fight while serving and converting many souls unto the Father. These were some of the opening remarks of Lead Apostle Oscar K Nwanza who conducted a burial service for the late Bishop (retired) on Saturday 8th November, 2025 at the Lewe Church, Lewe 1 District, Gokana, South-South Apostle Working Area. He was accompanied by all the active Apostles as well as the retired Apostles and Bishops from Nigeria.

The funeral service was based on a bible word from 2 Timothy 4: 7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Elaborating on the bible word, Lead Apostle Oscar Nwanza explained that, this statement by Apostle Paul is a testament to his life's work, signifying perseverance through trials, completion of his ministry, and steadfastness in his faith. It is a powerful statement about enduring hardships and completing one's life and purpose with integrity and faithfulness to God. 

He said, just like Apostle Paul, the late Bishop Banuna was faced with so many challenges in his life’s time. Battling spiritual struggles against sin, temptation, opposition, enduring hardships and challenges with courage.

But even upon all these battles, he was able to hold on unto his vow he made during his baptism of water and the Holy Spirit as well as his yes during his ordination. He fulfilled God’s purpose. This speaks the Bishop's commitment to remaining faithful to his beliefs and the teachings he was entrusted with, even in the face of adversity.

The Lead Apostle admonished everyone present to learn from the late Bishop as he said the Bishop should become a source of encouragement for believers to endure their own challenges, finish their life's race, and remain faithful to God. 

The Life of Bishop Banuna
As it was explained in his obituary: It has pleased our Heavenly Father to call home one of His servants, late Bishop Samuel Deedua Banuna the Retired Bishop worked in the South-South of Nigeria from 1979 until his retirement by the District Apostle on the 4th of December 2022. 

The late Bishop had served as a minister for 43 years, 14 of it as a Bishop.
The news of his exit is very shocking and devastating but we are consoled by the legacies he had left behind

Samuel Banuna was born to Christian parents on March 27, 1956, in Lewe, Gokana in Nigeria. In 1978, he became acquainted with the New Apostolic Church and was baptized and sealed by Apostle Erwin Wagner in Lewe on January 28, 1979.

His marriage to Esther Letom Banuna was blessed with six children. Our sincere condolences go to our sister Banuna, the children and their families, as well as all relatives. Over the years, our late Bishop received the following ministries:

• 1979 Priest
• 1984 Evangelist
• 1995 District Evangelist
• 1999 District Elder
• 2008 Bishop

On 4 December 2022, he was placed into retirement by District Apostle M.Ehrich during a Divine Service in Uyo/Nigeria.