Connect with us

METRO

The 1945 Nigerian General Strike: How over 100,000 Nigerian Workers Challenged the Government

Published

on

By

In 1945, a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s history unfolded with the initiation of the first general strike, a nationwide labor movement led by thousands of workers later known in history as the 1945 Nigerian General Strike. This strike marked a turning point in Nigeria’s fight for independence from British colonial rule. The strike began with railway workers, spreading to encompass workers from other industries, including dock and civil service workers, with support even coming from employees at private firms…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

Historical Background

At the time, Nigeria was under British colonial rule, which had persisted since 1914 and would continue until 1960. The Second World War had left the country grappling with high inflation, rising prices, and stagnant wage growth. The government’s efforts to control prices had proven largely ineffective.

A coalition of workers, known as the Joint Executive of Government Technical Workers, made their demands clear on March 22, 1945. They sought a minimum wage of two shillings and six pence and a 50 percent increase in the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), retroactive to April 1, 1944. Unfortunately, the colonial government denied these demands on May 2, 1945.

In response, the workers issued a statement, threatening to proceed on a general and lasting strike if their demands weren’t met by Thursday, June 21, 1945.

The Catalyst for the 1945 Nigerian General Strike

Despite negotiations between the colonial government and a delegation of workers led by their President, T.A. Bankole, on May 30, 1945, no resolution was reached. Just twelve days later, the colonial government made an offer that only slightly adjusted their previous position. This offer was promptly rejected.

On June 2, 1945, in a strategic move, the British Colonialists released Michael Imoudu, a prominent labor leader who had been in prison since 1943, perhaps hoping to pacify the angry workers. However, Imoudu’s actions acted as a catalyst for the strike, and as labor historian Wogu Ananaba noted, “There is little doubt that but for Imoudu’s activities there might have been no General Strike on June 22.”

The Commencement of the Strike

On June 22, the strike began with railway workers signaling its start in Lagos by blowing train whistles at midnight. While not all workers initially joined the strike, the support of numerous nationalists, including Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Adunni Oluwole, and Obafemi Awolowo, boosted the strikers’ morale. Imoudu continued to play a prominent role in encouraging workers to join the movement.

Michael Imoudu
Michael Imoudu and a crowd of demonstrators

Some strikers began to confront those who tried to continue working. The strike, which originated with railway workers, quickly spread throughout the colony, with local labor leaders playing a crucial role in its management. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Government’s Efforts and the Strike’s Impact

The colonial government made several attempts to persuade the workers to end the strike, including spreading propaganda and enlisting labor leaders to mediate negotiations. These efforts, however, proved largely ineffective.

As a result of the strike, transportation between localities ground to a halt, and many had to resort to biking or walking as their primary means of transport. Despite a warning on July 26 that workers continuing the strike into August would be fired, the strike endured.

However, by early August, the strikers became divided and entered into negotiations. On August 3, a compromise was reached, leading to the end of the strike, the withdrawal of lawsuits against strikers, and job security for the workers.

Divisions and Challenges

While the strike had the support of many nationalists, some, particularly those affiliated with the Nigeria Youth Movement, sought to sabotage it. The media played a contrasting role as well, with the Daily Service, the NYM’s newspaper, supporting the colonial authorities and downplaying the strike.

In retrospect, the 1945 Nigerian General Strike stood as a watershed moment in the country’s journey toward independence. It showcased the power of collective action and determination among the workers and their allies, and it laid the foundation for future movements that would eventually lead Nigeria to its hard-fought independence in 1960. SOURCE

 

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

METRO

Teen Boy Accepts Stranger’s Offer For Ride Home Not Knowing He Will Change His Home

Published

on

By

 

Life is about survival. Many people will wait for something incredible to happen to them. Others, make it happen themselves.

When you’re pushed to the brink, you can do the unthinkable. Chauncey Black, a teenager, felt that enough was enough. It was time for him to look fate in the eye.

While inside the Highland Kroger in the affluent part of town, he asked a stranger for a request. This would alter the course of his life.

Chauncey Black had a rough upbringing. Even though he lived with his mother, he was often unable to feed himself. There was just nothing to eat. He was basically starving…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

Ultimately, he decided he could do only one thing, and that was to go to a grocery store in the rich part of town.

Almost penniless, the young man found enough to cover his bus fare. His original plan was to ask shoppers if they needed help in exchange for food.

What ended up happening was nothing like he expected.

Once in the store, he asked a shopper if he could help carry their groceries to their car. He said he would do it for a box of donuts.

Matt White was the man he approached. Matt noted that Chauncey’s demeanor wasn’t the best at the time, but he admired his perseverance.

He then decided to ask Chauncey some questions to get a better understanding of his situation.

Matt learned that Chauncey lacked a phone and food. All he had was his bus pass.Matt White felt that a box of donuts wasn’t enough. Chauncey was clearly in need of aid.

Matt White then went around the Highland Kroger and picked out groceries to send him with the teenager. Matt purchased a “bit of everything” ranging from soap to pizza.

As they were chatting and shopping together, Matt also found out that Chauncey was an excellent academic. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

He was earning straight As in school and was seeking a part-time job to help out at home.

Even though Chauncey was down on his luck, Matt felt the optimism radiate from the teenager. Chauncey spoke on his ambitions of wealth and success.

After their little shopping spree, Matt gave Chauncey a ride home. What he saw shocked him.

Things were exactly as Chauncey said. The house lacked proper furniture and bedding. The mother and her son using sleeping bags as a mattress. Matt also noticed the empty fridge.

Chauncey’s mother suffers from a number of medical ailments that made it tough for her to even walk.

After Matt White’s touching goodbye with Chauncey Black, he decided that what he had done still wasn’t enough. He ended up beginning a GoFundMe in Chauncey’s name.

What happened next was amazing.

The GoFundMe ended up raising $341,000!! Initially, Chauncey was only seeking money to help pay for new clothing. Everything he and his mother owned was in shambles.

The money also allowed him the opportunity to begin funding his own business and sleep on a proper bed.

Strangers can sometimes deliver true kindness to each other. Apart from Matt’s efforts, the social media campaign to help Chauncey was truly incredible.

Even though he was the recipient of thousands of dollars through the GoFundMe, Chauncey still believed in the need for financial independence.

He is truly inspiring!

 

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

METRO

Surgeons said it’s the worst case they have seen to date, removed over 2 lbs from his body!

Published

on

By

 

Per reports, the doctors were stunned when the 16-year-old boy came into the hospital complaining of pains in his midsection. He didn’t know why he was suffering and asked the doctors for help.

After discovering the stunning cause of the boy’s, Arjun, pain, the doctors had no choice but to operate. The teen showed up at the hospital complaining of the pain in his stomach. When the professional performed an endoscopy, they discover the unusual cause of his suffering. They had never seen anything like it, and this teen’s body was filled with something very unusual.

According to the doctors, the teenager from India reportedly had more than 2 pounds or 300 grams of wood and plastic inside his body that he had apparently eaten. So much of this stuff had gotten inside the teen. Doctors needed to operate twice to get it all out…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

And he may not be done with his surgery yet. Arjun faces another operation so doctors can be sure that he no longer has any of these foreign objects inside of his digestive tract. After the truth came out, Arjun admitted to doctors that he was addicted to chewing on plastic and wood pieces.

“Whenever we spotted him eating rubber, we would stop him from doing so, but he wouldn’t mend his ways,” his father, Gurmeet, a farmer, said. “Away from our sight, my son continued ingesting these items.

As time passed by he became addicted to this, but never complained of any problem.” Although his family knew that he was chewing on rubbers and wood, they weren’t able to stop the teenager from his odd habit. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

But Arjun was smarter than them. He knew that his family did not approve of his fixation, so he simply started doing it in private where no one would be able to see him. “We thought the boy has grown up and kicked the habit by himself, but that was not the truth. One and a half years ago, Arjun first complained of stomach pain.

Since then he has been suffering from acute stomach ache. We took him to several doctors, but nobody could diagnose what was the actual problem of the pain.” Although his family seemed to be in on Arjun’s secret addiction to wood and plastics, they did not inform the doctors, Yahoo News reports.

So the professionals went on the assumption that the boy had an ulcer. And when he started to lose weight and had trouble breathing, the doctors knew his case was dire and he needed to be healed. “Around a week ago, his condition started deteriorating after he complained of breathlessness and stopped eating altogether,” the father added.

“I am thankful to the doctors that saved the life of my son.” Because he ate so much wood and plastic, the materials formed a knot inside his intestines. It became so thick not even water could pass through his body.

 

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

METRO

Doctor Realizes That What Mother Gave Birth To Were Not..

Published

on

By

 

In the realm of medical mysteries, there are few stories as perplexing and emotional as that of Karen and Frank, a couple whose lives were forever altered when their triplets were born. What started as a typical trip to the hospital quickly spiraled into a whirlwind of confusion, secrecy, and ultimately, relief.

Today, we delve into the incredible story of Karen’s unusual birth, the shocking revelations that followed, and the unexpected turn of events that led to a heartwarming resolution.

It all began when Karen felt the telltale signs of labor, prompting a hasty trip to the hospital. Frank, her husband, was there by her side, ready to welcome their three new bundles of joy into the world. Little did they know that this journey would be far from ordinary…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

Medical Mystery Unveiled : Upon Karen’s delivery, the doctor’s reaction was nothing short of bizarre. His pale face and inability to speak left the new parents in a state of anxiety. It was clear that something was friends, and more tests were urgently needed to ensure the safety of their triplets.

Parental Determination : As the doctor seemed unwilling to share information with the parents, tension began to mount. Frank’s determination to see his children drove him to take matters into his own hands. He ventured into the hospital’s research section to uncover the truth.

Late-Night Revelation : Karen, on the other hand, found herself locked in a room, isolated from her infants. This separation only fueled her determination to understand the secrets surrounding her children’s birth. Her relentless pursuit led her to a daring act in the middle of the night – breaking into the nursery to see her babies. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

DNA Testing and Shocking Discoveries : The mystery deepened when DNA testing revealed that Frank was the biological father of the triplets, but Karen’s DNA was nowhere to be found. It was a revelation that left everyone bewildered and Karen in a state of shock. What could possibly explain this peculiar situation?

The Doctor’s Revelation : Desperate for answers, the doctor decided to bring Frank and Karen in for a face-to-face meeting. Karen’s growing anxiety and Frank’s concern for the infants’ well-being were palpable. The doctor revealed the shocking truth – Karen’s cramped uterus had stunted the infants’ growth, leading to their small size.

A Glimpse of Hope : While the explanation was unexpected and initially disconcerting, it offered a glimmer of hope for Karen and Frank. They learned that their babies would gradually grow into healthy, typical-sized children. The medical mystery that had loomed over their lives was finally solved.

Conclusion : Karen and Frank’s journey, marked by secrecy, confusion, and a rollercoaster of emotions, is a testament to the unpredictable nature of life. It reminds us that sometimes, the most bewildering mysteries have the simplest explanations. Their story is a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience, hope, and the unwavering love of parents for their children, no matter the circumstances.

As we reflect on their remarkable journey, it reinforces the notion that in the face of adversity and the unknown, love and determination can ultimately prevail, bringing us to a brighter tomorrow.

 

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

Trending