Committee For the funeral of Bene Madunagu, activist, scholar and feminist, who died on November 26, has announced that she will be buried on Friday.
The interment will be preceded by a celebration of her life and times on January 16 in a programme to feature a feminist forum, funeral conference, cultural performnces and tributes.
She was born Benedicta Afangide on March 21, 1947, to Chief Michael Afangide of Afanga Esang in Abak Local Government of Akwa Ibom State and Madam Angelica Afangide of Ikwek, Afaha Obong, in the same council.
She was educated at University of Lagos and University of Ibadan. She was an assistant lecturer at University of Lagos before moving to University of Calabar in 1976.
Bene, a professor of Botany, retired from University of Calabar after years of mentoring students in her department and ideologically influencing students in other faculties.
Read Also: Diri urges Nigerians to honour, celebrates sacrifices of Armed Forces
It was in the course of these struggles for progress and a humane social order that she and her spouse, Dr. Edwin Madunagu, were sacked from their jobs at the university in 1978.
The couple were reinstated by President Shehu Shagari a few years later. Undaunted, Bene remained active in the Academic Staff Union of Universities, becoming the first female chair of University of Calabar branch of ASUU and a member of the union’s national executive. She was also a member of Botanical Society of Nigeria, Science Association of Nigeria, and others.
Bene was active in the feminist movement. She was part of the formation of Women in Nigeria, and chaired the board of Girls’ Power Initiative, a body focusing on empowerment of girls and women.
Bene received many awards including that of Cross River State in 2005 as “Erudite Scholar and Advocate of Equality and Girl Child Rights” and that of Centre for Reproductive Rights of University of California in United States.
She was a Fellow of MacArthur Foundation.
Bene is survived by her spouse for over 50 years, Edwin Madunagu, and children – Mrs Unoma Madunagu-Agrinya, Ikenna Madunagu and Michael Madunagu, and indeed her many comrades on the Nigerian Left.