By Bassey Bassey
Emotions, encomius trailed the funeral itinerary of a foremost trailblazer in Nigeria’s feminist and leftist movement,late Prof. Bene Madunagu as friends, associates and well wishers trooped to Calabar to bade farewell to the iconic human right and gender advocate.
At Feminists convening themed:No Ifs,No Buts, held at Metropolitan Hotels in Calabar and attended by critical stakeholders within the women’s rights advocacy space in Nigeria and beyond, speakers renancted memories of the sacrificial efforts and untiring dedication demonstrated by the late icon in pursuit of social justice, gender equity, equal education and political opportunities for the girl child as well as the unrelenting battles against ethnic religion prejudices targeted at women and the girl child across Nigeria.
Welcoming dignitaries to the event, a Member of the Board of Trustees, Girls Power Initiative,GPI, Faith Nwadishi said the fora was convened to celebrate the life and time of Prof. Bene Madunagu,Nee Benedicta Afangide, especially her unwavering dedication to the pursuit of gender justice targeted at securing economic independence for women to guard against gender and sexual exploitations.
According to her”Prof. Madunagu’s tireless advocacy,scholarly contributions have inspired generations of feminists and social activists in Nigeria and beyond.’
‘This fora was therefore convened to offer us a platform to reflect on her enduring impact on humanity, immutable legacies,share our experiences and strategies on the future of feminist activism in Nigeria beyond Mam B”.
In her tribute, Chairperson,GPI Board of Trustees, Prof. Ayo Atensuwa described the late renowned University don as a committed feminist noted for her iconic role and visionary leadership in establishing feminist praxis in Nigeria with the view of reorienting women towards actualling their full potential and breaking the primordial barriers foisted by custom, traditions and religion.
In her words “Bene knew,that without any doubt, that if you do not challenge the internalization of the values and norms that support women’s complicity in their subordination through acculturation early, any initiative to mobilise women for a change we want to see in women’s lives would be”seeking to bend the crayfish back after it has dried up”,an impossible feat we all know”
Bearing her mind, a foremost advocate, Josephine Effah -Chukwuma of Project Alert on Violence Against Women eulogized late Prof Madunagu” for orchestrating a revolution which has broken the culture of silence that surrounded domestic violence and abuses suffered by women in Nigeria and erroneously perceived as a normal spectacle”
“The awareness campaigns she spearheaded across religious and ethnic barriers achieved monumental success in drawing attention to multi faceted challenge which subjugated the women folk to modern day slavery, without basis human rights and dignity. Today, her efforts have not only emboldened women to stand up for their rights,but has given them the impetus to aspire to the pinnacle of their chosen career”
Cross River commissioner for Women Affairs ,Edema Irom who was among the dignitaries at the event said”Mama ‘B’ was a collusus in the gender and social justice ecosystem in Nigeria and beyond. The creation of ministry of women affairs at the federal level and subsequent domestication across the country is a testament to her irrevocable quest for a veritable platform dedicated to addressing the issues impeding the growth and advancement of women and vulnerable children spearheaded through Women in Nigeria,WIN, which she masterminded”
Head of Programmes Girls Power Initiative,Ndodeye Bassey-Obongha who also spoke described the late activist as a rare mentor who inspired generations to pursue their dreams and aspirations to fruition despite all odds.
Also speaking, a press freedom and media development advocate,Lanre Arogundade attributed the tidal wave of women’s intrusion into politics and professions hitherto dominated by the male gender to the handiworks of the deceased through orientation programmes she championed to alter cultural and religious perceptions which kept women in captivity and bondage for several generations.
Similar event was also held at the ASUU hall, University of Calabar in honour of the late Professor of Botanical Science who was the first and only female ASUU Chairperson,Unical chapter till date.