Comrade Benedicta A. Madunagu, affectionately known as “Bene,” has passed away at the age of 77. She transitioned peacefully early this morning at her home in Calabar, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of revolutionary activism, intellectual rigour, and unwavering commitment to justice and equality.
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In an announcement made by Professor Biodun Jeyifo, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Socialist Library and Archives (SOLAR), Bene was celebrated as a trailblazer and a transformative force within the Nigerian Left. “The profound loss of Bene is matched only by the profound celebration of her remarkable life,” Jeyifo stated.
Bene, born Benedicta Michael Afangide, embodied many roles in her lifetime: feminist, scholar, human rights activist, revolutionary Marxist, and patriot. She was also deeply cherished as a wife, mother, teacher, and friend. Her husband and lifelong comrade, Professor Edwin Madunagu, described her in 2017 when Bene turned 70 as “first and foremost a socialist revolutionary and Marxist,” whose life of struggle began during their university days in the early 1970s.
“This is not a tribute, but a formal announcement made on behalf of the family and the Nigerian Left,” said Jeyifo in his statement. He noted that while her death is deeply felt, it is also an opportunity to reflect on and honour her legacy as a champion of social justice and human rights.
Comrade Madunagu’s life was marked by unwavering dedication to the causes she believed in. Over decades of activism, she became a beacon for the Nigerian Left and a source of inspiration for generations of advocates committed to equality and justice. In 1993, Bene co-founded an NGO known as Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI).
Details about memorial services and further announcements are expected in the coming days. The passing of Comrade Bene marks the end of an era for many in the global and local struggles for progressive change, but her legacy is certain to endure.
For now, those who knew her and benefited from her tireless advocacy are left to mourn her passing and celebrate her life, one dedicated to the betterment of humanity.
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