The activities of Labour leaders today are the raging debate among workers in Nigeria. Workers express sadness and worry over the way their leaders handle issues concerning them.
While the workers continue to wallow in the vicious cycle of poverty, hunger and worry, their leaders insist that they should be patient and show understanding with the government.
The agility and activeness of labor leaders of the present time is determined by the political class and not by the deteriorating condition of workers in the country.
Up till this moment, the name Michael Athokhamien Imoudu, represents a good example of a labor leader with a difference within the Nigerian territory and has continued to serve as a source of inspiration for the present set of labor leaders.
Perhaps, Imoudu was born on 7 September 1902, to a soldier who had fought in East Africa. His upbringing resulted into his fearless personality.
He did not have a fear of witches or wizards, master or servant, black or white. At the age of 14, he began his education at a government school, Ora.
In the course of his education, he received a double promotion to standard one. After the death of his father, the forward-looking young Imoudu moved on in his quest for education, at various times in Ontisha, Benin, Sapele, Warri and Agbor.
His adult life revolved on protests against wrong doing by constituted authority. As a student of the government school, Agbor he staged his first protest.
He led students of the school to protest against the alleged embezzlement of Empire funds by the school’s teachers. This resulted in the manhandling of the Headmaster.
At various times, he worked as a linesman in the Department of Post and Telegraph (P and T) in 1928 and an apprentice machinist at the Railway Corporation.
He worked tirelessly on three shillings and four pence per day.
The work conditions depressed those on the railway, and it was noticeable, but the grievances of the railway men were uncoordinated.
During the industrial action of the sectional foundery men in 1931, Imoudu spearheaded a platform to fight for the rights of workers.
This he made possible by opting to work as a journeyman at a reduced wage of three shillings per day.
On 20, January 1940, Imoudu was the only one among his colleagues who signed the registration document of the Railway workers union and on 7, October 1940, Imoudu was elected President of Railway men.
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