Michael Imoudu (1902 - 2005)

Sun Sep 07, 1902

Michael Athokhamien Imoudu, born on this day in 1902, was a militant Nigerian labor union leader who led a historically important general strike in the country in 1945.

Imoudu started labor union activities as a member of the Railway Workers Union (RWU), which became one of the most militant unions in the country during the colonial period. The union was formed in 1931 at a time where many trade organizations were more similar to social undertakings than an industrial movement.

Imoudu was released from prison by the government in 1945, presumably as a means to de-escalate labor tensions. A large rally was held to welcome him back to Lagos, however, and, on the 21st and 22nd of June 1945, Imoudu led a radical wing of the RWU to organize a general strike that became a historically important in Nigeria.

• Date: 1902-09-07
• Learn More: guardian.ng, libcom.org, en.wikipedia.org.
• Tags: #Labor, #GeneralStrikes, #Birthdays.
• Source: www.apeoplescalendar.org