Alimotu Pelewura facts for kids

Chief Alimotu Pelewura (born around 1865, died 1951) was a powerful Nigerian trader. She led the Lagos Market Women's Association. This group helped market women speak up for their rights. She was also a close friend and helper to Herbert Macaulay, a famous Nigerian politician. The Lagos Market Women's Association was a very important group for women in Lagos when Nigeria was under British rule.

Early Life and Leadership

Alimotu Pelewura was born in Lagos around 1865. She came from a large family. Her mother was a fish trader, and Alimotu followed in her footsteps. She became a successful fish trader too.

By 1900, she was already a respected leader among market women. In 1910, the Oba of Lagos, Eshugbayi Eleko, gave her a special chieftaincy title. In the 1920s, she became the head of the Ereko meat market. With help from Herbert Macaulay, she became the first leader of the new Lagos Market Women's Association. She belonged to the Awori group of the Yoruba people.

Lagos Market Women's Association (LMWA)

The Lagos Market Women's Association (LMWA) was started in the 1920s. Alimotu Pelewura and other market leaders created it. As the head of the Ereko market, Pelewura became the first president of the LMWA.

During her time as leader, the LMWA fought against unfair taxes. They also protested against rules that controlled the prices of goods. Pelewura believed these rules would harm the women who worked hard in the markets.

Fighting Against Taxes

In 1932, rumors spread that the British government wanted to tax women directly. Pelewura led market women in a protest. They marched to the government house to show their disapproval. Because of her strong leadership, she was chosen to represent women on the Ilu Committee. This was a group that advised the Oba of Lagos.

In the mid-1930s, Pelewura led another protest. The government wanted to move the Ereko market to a new area. Pelewura and other women tried to stop the move. This led to her being arrested. But the market women in Lagos rallied together. They demanded her release, and she and the other women were set free.

In 1940, the government suggested a new tax plan. It would tax women who earned more than 50 pounds. This was a new idea in Yorubaland, and women protested again. Pelewura and other women objected. They felt it was unfair, especially during World War II when many people faced financial hardship. Even though most of the 8,000 women in her group didn't earn that much, she worried it could lead to all women being taxed later. The government did not remove the tax, but they did raise the amount needed to be taxed to 200 pounds.

Pelewura also became a leader in politics. In 1939, she joined the Nigerian Union of Young Democrats. This party was linked to the NNDP. She often spoke at NNDP meetings and supported their candidates. This was important because women could not vote at that time. She was also briefly a member of the Nigerian Women's Party, led by Oyinkan Abayomi.

Protesting Price Controls

During World War II, food became scarce in Lagos. This caused prices to go up. In 1941, the government tried to control the economy. They put flexible price limits on certain foods. But many people did not follow these rules. The government then planned to let large companies control food sales.

The market women, led by Pelewura, strongly opposed this. They said it would take away their income. However, the government insisted on keeping the price rules. This led to many disagreements between the LMWA and the colonial government.

Alimotu Pelewura passed away in 1951. Her work was continued by one of her followers, Chief Abibatu Mogaji.

Legacy

Alimotu Pelewura's story was told in the 2019 movie, The Herbert Macaulay Affair.