Federal Workers Protest Poor wages, hardships and Insecurity in Ibadan

Federal Government workers under the aegis of the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) on Monday staged a peaceful protest against the economic hardships and insecurity confronting workers inside the Federal Secretariat Ikolaba, Ibadan, Nigeria.

However, the protest was voluntary, as workers were not prevented from moving in and outside the secretariat-the two entrances remained opened.

In his words, Comrade Paul Balogun reminded the Federal Government that workers on its payroll were suffering, saying, ‘’ we are appealing to the Federal Government to pay the wage award immediately. The Federal; Government is still owing us two months wage award. The arrears should be paid immediately.’’

‘’The average Nigerian worker is living from hand to mouth, the average Nigerian worker is hungry and the monthly salary cannot take the average Nigerian worker home. Only N40,000 was added to the new minimum wage of N70,000 across board. We are appealing to the Federal Government to do the necessary, Comrade Balogun concluded.

For Comrade Olaniyi Ajibosho, workers have been experiencing difficulties reporting for duty daily.

‘’Workers can no longer report for duty as a result of the high cost of transport and poor salaries. Rents and school fees of our children are also there to address. We are suffering, ‘’ Comrade Ajibosho declared.

However, the National Coordinator of the FWF, Comrade Andrew Emelieze sums up the plight of the workers,’’ we are living in fear and economic hardships. Government should treat us like human beings. We are the geese that lays the golden eggs. Government should do all that is possible to reverse the ugly trend. Government should review the minimum wage now.

 Be a Responsible Father(32nd REMEMBRANCE-CHIEF D.A ADEWUMI-JUNE20TH 2026) 

Today, indiscipline, lawlessness, criminality, diabolism, treachery, betrayal, hypocrisy and evil are the values in society.

Indeed, children's upbringing by fathers and mothers has resulted in a very disturbing and pitiable situation.

Chief Adewumi was a responsible and upright father who adhered strictly to the principles of successful living and standards revolving around honesty, firmness, resolution, transparency, courage, humility, tolerance, endurance and perseverance, generosity and philanthropy.

Let us retrace our steps by becoming responsible and fathers, just like Chief Adewumi, who impacted positively on several lives, including mine.

Members of the same family are plotting evil against each other because of inheritance.

Spare the rod and spoil the child.

Chief D.A Adewumi (15th December 1924-30th June 1994)The Akogun of Ibeshe, Lagos Nigeria Remembrance- Chief D.A Adewumi (1924-1994)(B.A Econs. Fourah Bay College,University of Sierra Leone Freetown, Sierra Leone/Electoral Commissioner, Lagos State Electoral Commission-1979-1983). Principal MacJob Grammar School, Abeokuta Awori Ajeromi Grammar School Badagry Divisional Grammar School Epe Grammar School Trinity Secondary Technical School 

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Dividends of Democracy— proposed London News Briefing Wasteful—Federal Workers

Federal workers in Nigeria have described the decision of the federal government to showcase its achievements in the last 24 months in Great Britain during this period when millions of Nigerians are complaining of hunger and poverty as insensitive and embarrassing. The workers made this known through the National Coordinator of the Federal Workersm (FWF), Comrade Andrew Emelieze. ''The ministers appointed by the present political leadership in Nigeria are in the process of rolling out the achievements of those in charge in London, while millions of Nigerians are busy contending with hunger, economic hardships, and poverty. This overseas trip is at what cost to taxpayers? It is wasteful. This is very insensitive, callous, and embarrassing. The wind of greed and covetousness has overwhelmed those in the present administration and has become not only a burden but also a liability to millions of Nigerians. Comrade Emelieze stated. The Local Scene It is surprising that the powers that be can give consent to the recruitment of 130,000 forest guards for the states in Nigeria. This may undermine the genuine efforts by the law enforcement and security structure to curtail violent crimes. Taxpayers' money was expended to train, retrain, and equip the security operatives for purposes that does not include sabotage. This initiative and the proposed security summit by the legislature speak volumes about the frame of mind of those in leadership positions. The sugesstion is that political officeholders are desperate to compensate their well-wishers, admirers, and hangers-on.

May Day-Workers in Nigeria are celebrating the gift of life-Comrade Emelieze

 Workers who refused to be dehumanized by the government at all levels are presently in their different homes celebrating the gift of life.

A New Beginning starts from here

This assertion was made by the National Coordinator of the Federal Workers Forum (FWF), Comrade Andrew Emelieze, in his message on the occasion of the International Workers Day celebration.

'A sizable number of workers in Nigeria, who, by the grace of God, refused to be dehumanized, are presently in the comfort of their homes celebrating God's guidance, protection, and the gift of life, despite several attempts to abruptly compromise their existence. We thank God for life; that is the major reason we are celebrating in our various homes. Comrade Emelieze stated.

The Local Scene

The situation of workers in Nigeria is not only pitiable but also calls for urgent action to reverse the disturbing scenario.

Indeed, proteges of Those-in-Charge have, long before now, taken charge of the affairs of the two major labor centers in the country, including their affiliates.

This takeover was well-crafted and organized, even though it caught the majority of the workers unawares.

This explains why the several demands of workers have been left unattended to up till this moment.

It is obvious that the ominous times are here.

We are Heavily taxed by the government-Federal workers

Workers in Nigeria have raised alarm over the unfair taxation of their monthly salaries by the federal and state governments. The workers under the aegis of the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) raised this alarm in a letter titled PROTEST AGAINST EXPLOITATION OF WORKERS BY THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT, THE COMPROMISE OF LABOR UNIONS, AND NOTIFICATIONS FOR INDEFINITE PROTEST FROM 22ND APRIL 2025 BY FEDERAL WORKERS, addressed to the International Labour Organization (ILO) and signed by the National Coordinator (FWF), Comrade Andrew Emelieze, and Secretary General, Comrade Itoro Obong. "Federal workers" salaries and ALLOWANCES are equally heavily taxed, and no tax rebate or certificate is issued to the workers at the end of the year. Despite the poor national minimum wage, the federal government in Nigeria has continued to owe federal workers lots of arrears of allowances, promotion arrears, hazard allowances, duty tour allowance (DTA), etc. This we have seen leading to agitations among health sector workers, education sector workers, and many others. It will interest the ILO to note that the federal government of Nigeria has owed all federal government workers in Nigeria a five-month wage award worth 175,000 naira per worker since July 2024.'' ''The workers also lamented the deceitful implementation of the N70,000 new minimum wage by the government, saying, More painful is the fact that the last national minimum wage of 70,000 naira was implemented without an agreed table with the organized labor representatives, and in the end only a meager 40,000 naira was what was added to the salaries of all federal workers across all levels in Nigeria. More painful is the fact that our industrial unions and their labor centers of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) never at any instance queried the new national minimum wage table, nor did they query the federal government over the arrears of five months wage award balance payment to the federal workers or others being owed the federal workers. ''The President has been very unfair and hostile to the Nigerian workers. While salaries have remained abysmally poor, President Tinubu and his team have continued to attack workers through their anti-worker policies, as we have seen in hikes in the price of petroleum products, the deliberate devaluation of our national currency (the naira), and hikes in the price of everything in the face of double-digit inflation. President Tinubu is subjecting the Nigerian workers to hellish conditions, and he has shown a lack of interest in the well-being of the workers. The Nigerian government has also severely flouted the international conventions of the ILO cum UN aimed at promoting decent work conditions and fair pay for work done. The situation in Nigeria is an existential threat to the general populace in the country and a threat to world peace and security. ''They concluded.

N70,000 national minimum wage a disaster—Federal workers

Federal workers in Nigeria have described the 70,000 Naira national minimum wage as a disaster.

The workers made this assertion in a letter to President Ahmed Tinubu dated 8th April, 2025, titled WHAT IS OUR OFFENSE? FEDERAL WORKERS HAVE SUFFERED ENOUGH; THIS HARDSHIP IS UNBEARABLE; STOP THIS TORTURE, and signed by the National Coordinator (FWF), Comrade Andrew Emelieze, and Secretary General, Comrade Itoro Obong.

''Mr. President, you can not pretend not to hear us; federal workers are calling for justice. Our well-being is not taken seriously by you. The 70,000 naira minimum wage is a ridiculous disaster; it cannot even suffice as a transportation allowance for less than five workers for a month.

We have been abandoned and neglected. The recent minimum wage is one of the testimonies of our plights. The mere fact that the benchmark for the minimum wage is N70,000 does not mean that the federal workers should be paid that minimum. Is it not a shame that some states now pay more than the federal government? The N70,000 minimum wage shows disrespect to the Nigerian workers.

It is our belief that there is a conspiracy between Mr. President and the NLC/TUC leadership to impose a poor minimum wage on workers; this is a crime against humanity. Power must not be used to suppress the people," they concluded.

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Stop treating workers as slaves—Federal Workers to FG

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has appealed to the federal government to discontinue the treatment of workers as slaves.

This appeal was made by the FWF National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze, in a chat with Solomon2day.

''We urge the federal government to stop treating workers like slaves; we are citizens. The new national minimum wage has led to the financial embarrassment of federal workers; our government must rethink her attitude towards the Nigerian workers.  Most unfortunately, our government is still owing us five months wage award arrears earlier promised to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal, and labor is not doing anything; this is indeed very shameful.

The government is also owing poorly paid workers lots of arrears of various allowances. In the crucial sectors of health and education, the workers have continued to plead for their legitimate dues, all to no avail.

''Federal workers also posit that the entire labor movement and the left have refused to call the NLC and the TUC to order. Thus, the labor movement is part of the compromise and the betrayal of the working class in Nigeria.

Federal workers also expressed their disappointment in the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Student Union Governments (SUG), the entire civil society groups, and activists for their passivity while Nigerians languish in horror. NAN is now a shadow of itself, and the Nigerian student's movement is now a reactionary movement.

Posterity will judge the NLC/TUC, the industrial unions, NANS, and the civil society for making it impossible for Nigerians to have a good life. Comrade Emelieze concluded.

Living Wages-Workers in Nigeria are in deep shock-Comrade Emelieze

Workers in both the public and private sectors of all sectors of the economy in Nigeria are yet to attain the acceptable state of mind to guarantee unimpeded productivity. Living wages and human-friendly conditions of service boost efficiency, effectiveness, and diligence in economies that value the worth of their workforce. However, lamentations, complaints, grumblings, and arguments have for so long characterized the approach of workers to the scheme of things. Sadly, the multiple effects of the obvious disregard for the workforce have manifested in all sectors of the economy. Comrade Andrew Emelieze is the convener of the All Workers Convergence and Federal Workers Forum. Comrade Emelieze laments that the situation is almost hopeless, just as he calls on those in charge to salvage the country's helpless workers. ''The new national minimum wage is nothing to write home about. Workers in Nigeria are in a state of confusion over the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage. The amount that was added to our salaries is inconsequential, demeaning, and equally exploitative. Federal workers are still in deep shock as the January salaries were reduced, the annual increment is missing, the so-called N40,000 consequential adjustment minimum wage was withheld, and there is no readily available explanation from the federal government. Moreover, 5 months of wage award arrears are yet to be paid, and promotion arrears are still being expected in addition to so many other arrears. Surprisingly, just as December salaries were delayed, some ministries, departments, and agencies are yet to receive January salaries.'' Comrade Emelieze revealed. Indeed, those who worship God and mammon simultaneously are already blaming themselves and their sponsors.

Nature's Intervention

Members of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) are patiently waiting for the end to the prolonged crisis in the association's leadership ranks. The crisis that has persisted for so long revolves around self-interest and greed. Indeed, members and others from different unions in Nigeria look up to the National Industrial Court (NIC) to put the crisis to a permanent end. The convener of the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) and the All Workers Convergence (AWC), Comrade Andrew Emeleze, urges workers in the country to be peaceful in their conduct. ''Our hope lies in the judiciary; members should be patient and go about their lawful duties with diligence. We are full of hopes that the judiciary will bring an end to the lingering impunity and corruption in the ASCSN. Let us be patient.''Comrade Emeleize stated.

The judiciary, without doubt, will serve as a reprieve for distraught and disillushioned members, even though one of the parties to the crisis may have continued to work tirelessly to pervert justice. Sadly, those responsible for the leadership failure, at all levels of government, may perhaps be the role models for the individuals who have brought about the prostrate condition of the labor movement in the country. Millions of Nigerians are not only disappointed by the happenings in different parts of the country, but angry that their fellow human beings have continued to take them for granted with impunity. Those in charge have exhausted all their available tools of repression, oppression, lies, deceit, manipulation, coercion, and violence. Nature has set in to correct the infractions, acts of commission, and omission.

Teachers' Day-Oyo teachers pledge continued loyalty to state governor

 

Teachers in Oyo state have pledged their continued loyalty to the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for his good deeds to them.

The teachers made this pledge on Saturday through the chairman of the state wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT), Comrade Raji Oladimeji during the 2024 World Teachers Day celebration in Ibadan, Nigeria.

''On behalf of all the teachers in Oyo state, I say thank you father, we will remain loyal. We appreciate the governor for so many things he has done for us. Kindly permit me to mention a few of the laudable achievements so far recorded since the assumption of office as the Executive Governor of Oyo state: 1)Prompt and regular payment of teachers' salaries on the 25th day of every month or earlier should that date fall on a holiday or weekend; 2)Payment of N25,000 palliative to teachers since October 2023, to cushion the negative effect of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government. 3)Mass promotion of qualifed secondary school teachers to salary Grade Level 17. First of its kind in the annals of the history of Oyo state. 4) Mass promotion of graduate teachers in primary schools to a salary of Grade Level 15, among others.''

Not surprisingly, parents and guardians in the state have continued to express mixed feelings about the behavior and conduct of pupils and students in public and private schools spread across the state.

In a show of appreciation, the NUT chairman named the NUT(Endwell)Model College sports complex, Owode Housing Estate, Apata, after the state governor.

Similarly, in his remarks, the chairman of the state council of the Nigeria Labor Congress(NLC)Comrade Kayode Martins commended the state governor for all his good gestures to workers in the state, saying''we want to appreciate you for giving us so much. You have done so much for us. The NLC Oyo state council appreciate you.''

Awards of excellence were given to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, the majority leader of the state House of Assmebly, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, the commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, the chairman of the state Teaching Service Commission, Pastor Akinade Alamu, the chairman of the state Universla Baisc Education, Dr. Nureni Adeniran and a member of the ninth assembly of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Shina Peller.

However, the chairman of Jogor Events Center, Engr. Femi Babalola, also an awardee, was conspicuously absent.

At the 2023 World Teachers day, the special guest of honor of the state council of the NUT was a reputable business executive and philanthropist, Engr. Dotun Sanusi.

Economic Hardships-Workers in Nigeria should celebrate life-Labor Leader

 

Workers in Nigeria have every cause to celebrate being alive and faced with the excruciating economic hardships in the country.

The assertion was made by the chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union and Associated Institutions(NASU) University College Hospital(UCH)branch, Ibadan, Nigeria, Comrade Kehinde Abiona.

''My own position is that anyone that is alive today has every cause to celebrate, basically for the gift of life in the present harsh economic climate in the country. Workers in Nigeria have every cause to celebrate being alive. The economy is biting very hard. However, one thing I want to appreciate the Federal Government for, is the prompt payment of the new minimum wage of N70,000. We at UCH have already received the new minimum wage for September.

Comrade Abiona also appealed to the Federal Government to take urgent steps to salvage the very disturbing economic situation in the country, saying ''I appeal to the government to ensure good living conditions for the citizenry.''

 

The Housing Problem

 

Nigerian workers are increasingly giving up hopes of owning their own homes, as issues of poor salaries, unfavorable working environment and conditions linger.

 Most workers have for long contended with the exploitative tendencies of house owners, who increase rents randomly.

This is in addition to the soaring cost of land and building materials.

Indeed, the workers have taken their destinies into their own hands when it comes to the fundamental issue of housing.

 The beauty of working is to retire into one's own home, with the assistance of the government.

The provision of housing loans to be paid back installmentally is desirable, but this is not the case. 

Interestingly, the National Housing Fund(NHF) seems to be a method the government introduced to evade its responsibilities.

The housing fund without doubt is an imposition by the Federal Government of Nigeria, in a bid to run away from its responsibilities to provide either affordable housing schemes for Nigerian workers or giving out housing loans to the workers. 

The NHF is used to scooping cash from already impoverished workers because the deductions are mandatory and almost non-refundable until probably after retirement.

The interest on the deductions collected from the workers is equally ridiculous. 

More painful is the fact that the process of obtaining housing loans is very cumbersome and workers are usually frustrated, making them resign to fate and allow the deductions to continue  without attempting to take the loans.

 Workers feel cheated and, due to the fact that they have no options, and are not transparently represented by their industrial unions, have resigned to fate.

Sadly, the NHF has never given an account of the contributions and balance of workers on a monthly basis for a long time.

Donate

Disobedience of the Industrial Court's Judgment Lawless and an act of Indiscipline-Comrade Emelieze

The disobedience of the National Industrial Court's(NIC) judgment reinstating Comrade Bola Audu as the president of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeri9a(ASCSN) by men and offices of the Nigeria Police Force is a reflection of the lawlessness and indiscipline pervading the Nigerian society. Donate

This assertion was made on Thursday by the former chairman of the Oyo state council of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

''Some known persons are making use of the men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force to encourage lawlessness and indiscipline. There is an NIC judgment reinstating Comrade Bola Audu as the President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, but these persons in connivance and conspiracy with the police denied the reinstated president access into the union's secretariat in Abuja, despite the fact that the industrial court's judgment was presented. This is a fall out of the lawlessness and indiscipline that is the trend everywhere in Nigeria today. The police are supposed to protect the lives and properties of innocent citizens, but unfortunately, this is not the case,'' Comrade Emelieze stated.

Why We have Deferred Further Strike Action- Oyo Health workers

 

The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria(MHWUN) in Oyo state decided to defer its strike action due to the intervention of the state chairman of the Nigeria Labor Congress(NLC), Comrade Kayode Martins and the Special Adviser on Labor Matters to the state Governor, Comrade Titilola Sodo. Donate

This disclosure was made on Thursday by the secretary of the union, Comrade Suraju Alabi.

''We were persuaded not to resume the strike action by the NLC chairman, Comrade Kayode Martins and the S.A Labor, Comrade Titltlola Sodo. They appealed to us to be patient, explaining that a committee had been set up by the state government to look into our demands and the committee's report would soon be out. So, let us give them the benefit of the doubt. However, our members were not moved by the promise that the report would be favorable, so, we are patiently waiting for the report,'' Comrade Alabi stated.

Why we Dissolved AWDROP Executive-Spokesman

The Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners & Practitioners(AWDROP) mini-congress decided to dissolve its executive as a result of its 11 years in the saddle without elections. Donate

This disclosure was made on Thursday in a chat with New-Federation, by its spokesman, Mr. Richard Adeyinka.

''The mini-congress decided to dissolve the executive because elections have not been conducted in the past 11 years. 

The dissolution was made at the association's mini-congress, presided over by the National Vice President Engr. Dayo Opeyemi who represented the President, who was unavoidably absent.

A three-man caretaker committee was set up to run the affairs of the association and, in addition to that, an electoral committee to oversee the conduct of elections for the available executive positions.

Both committees were given three months to conclude their assignments.

Members of the three-man care taker committee are the Chairman, Alhaji Umar Isa, Secretary, Muhammad Otokiti and Financial Secretary, Alhaji Supo Bilawu, while the electoral committee has Engr. Dayo Opeyemi as chairman and Ahmad Atana, Engr.Oluwole Adekoya, Abdullahi Taokeek and Segun Onileowo as members, Mr. Ajayi concluded.

Economic Hardships-Nigerians have the right to express their displeasure-Comrade Emelieze

Nigerians must register their displeasure over bad governance, hunger and poverty in the land.

This assertion was made by a former chairman of the Oyo state council of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

''Nigerians have the right to show their displeasure over bad governance, the pervasive hunger and poverty in the land. The hardships being experienced by millions of Nigerians have defied all solutions by the present administration's policies,'' Comrade Emelieze lamented.

Performance Based Salaries for Workers in Nigeria Diversionary-Comrade Emelieze

The plans by the Federal government to initiate performance-based salaries is diversionary.

This assertion was made by a former chairman of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria(TUC) in Oyo state, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

''The question is why is it now that workers are agitating for a living wage? It is obvious that this is another diversionary tactic by the Federal government to keep the national minimum wage down. However, so long as the incentives are in place, workers are not scared of performance-based salaries. It is to be noted that over the years, workers have been underpaid,'' Comrade Emelieze stated.

Workers Welfare : Michael Imoudu as a Role Model 3

 Discrimination was the order of the day during the colonial era. In November 1947, Imoudu led others to demonstrate against racial discrimination at the Bristol Hotel, Lagos. 

In the cause of the demonstration, he was physically assaulted and arrested by the Police. However, of worry, is the self-preservation approach of present day labor leaders. 

At different times, he mobilized the conference of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to protest against colonial rule and also workers and peasants for the independence movement led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, during the nationwide tour of the National Council of Nigeria Citizens (NCNC), to raise funds and support for the Nigerian delegation to the constitutional conference in London. 

The Labor wing of the NC-Democratic Grand Alliance, of which Imoudu was a member, won four seats in the Lagos Town Council elections in 1950.

 In 1964, Imoudu led a general strike against the restriction of democracy, which was targeted at compelling the government to implement the report of the Morgan commission. 

In addition, he was a member of the Marxist Socialist Workers and Farmers Party.

 In the Second Republic, he was Vice President of the Peoples Redemption Party(PRP) led by Mallam Aminu Kano. 

His track record formed the basis for his becoming the founding President of the Nigeria Labor Congress(NLC) in 1964.

 The NLC of today possess a different design and ideology. 

Sadly, pragmatic approaches to labor issues and concepts remain lacking, even as Labour leaders' sacrifices and tribulations for Nigerian workers are cosmetic, debatable and trailed by controversy. Those in the labor struggle with Imoudu's frame of mind and character are relatively few and extremely difficult to identify, in these days of ''he who pays the piper, dictates the tune''. 

Workers Welfare : Michael Imoudu as a Role Model 2

 

The need for an increase in wages and better working conditions prompted Michael Imoudu to lead a demonstration from the locomotive yard in Ebute metta, Lagos to the Government House situated at Marina, Lagos Island, Lagos.

The Governor General of the Colony of Lagos, Bernard Bourdillon, noticed that any form of industrial action at that period, could disrupt railway supplies to the coalition, during the Second World War in 1941. It was on this premise he acceded to a 50 percent pay rise for the workers.

This success, further inspired Imoudu to put forward more demands, among which were conversion of daily casual labor to salaried employment, Saturday work with pay, permanence of daily labor, holiday travel grant and payment of arrears to cover from 1932 to 1942 unpaid entitlements.

This did not go down well with Bourdillon, who facilitated the termination of Imoudu’s appointment on 23 January 1943 and also ordered his arrest under the Nigeria General Defense Regulations, 1941.

In quick succession, he was relocated and remanded at the Benin prison. While in prison, he influenced inmates to demonstrate against poor feeding and other deplorable prison conditions.

In response, the British Colonial Government in 1943, restricted Imoudu’s movement to the palace of the paramount Chief of Auchi and made an order for him to report twice a week to the Auchi Police station.

As a result of a face off with the District Officer of Auchi and his moves to facilitate the establishment of peasants’ cooperatives for the benefit of peasants in Etsako and Ora, he was again remanded in the Auchi prison.

Some of his comrades, including T. A Bankole, openly spoke against Imoudu’s action, to the hearing of the Chief Secretary of Government.

After spending two and a half years in prison, the labor activist was set free.

A mass rally was held at Oko-Awo, Lagos to celebrate his release from prison, while nationalists such as Herbert Macaulay were on the ground to grace the occasion.

In June 1945, he successfully led over 30,000 workers to down tools for 44 days.

The industrial action hinged on the inability of the colonial government to actualize the promise of Bourdillon in 1942, to review allowances according to an index.

Bourdillon's successor, Arthur Frederick Richards, vigorously refused to pay the allowance.

This resulted in the abrupt end of the unpopular Richards constitution, and set the stage for self government.

Workers Welfare : Michael Imoudu As A Role Model 1

 

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. 

 

Rescue the People from Land-grabbers-NLC chairman to Oyo Governor

 

The chairman of the Nigeria Labor Congress in Oyo state, Comrade Kayode Martins, has called on the state Governor to urgently come to the rescue of helpless residents who are at the mercy of land-grabbers.

Comrade Martins made this call on Wednesday during the celebration of International Workers' Day in Ibadan, Nigeria.

''The Oyo state Governor should save the people of Oyo state from land grabbers. The activities of the land grabbers have become unbearable for the people,'' the NLC chairman disclosed.

Similarly, the chairman of the state council of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), Comrade Bosun Olabiyi commended the state government for ensuring the prompt payment of workers' salaries.

However, a former chairman of the TUC in the state, Comrade Andrew Emelieze lamented that the government at all levels had dashed the hopes of workers with empty promises and ''packaging'', adding'' the tone of the celebration is an indication that workers in Nigeria have been defrauded by their employers. Announcing a 35 percent increase in salaries for a certain category of workers is not only deceitful, but an attempt to cause division within the ranks of workers.