•Group faults northern govs over the deportation of Almajirai
•IPC flays detention of A’Ibom journalist by DSS

The labour movement and over 70 civil society organisations have floated a pressure group to protect the interest of workers, the poor and the vulnerable from the pangs of the economic and socio-cultural impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria

Named Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), the body was yesterday inaugurated in Abuja with Femi Falana (SAN) as its interim chairman.

Other pro tem officers include deputy chairman, Hauwa Mustapha; secretary, Ade Atambi; and publicity secretary, Adewale Adeoye.

According to Adeoye, the coalition has an extensive network of participating organisations drawn from all of the nation six-geo political zones.

Some of the affiliate members include the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); Nigerian Trade Union Congress (TUC); United Action for Democracy (UAD); Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARD-C); and Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER).

However, a rights group, Concerned Nigerians, has condemned the deportation of Almajirai by northern governors over the widespread of the pestilence.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its convener, Deji Adeyanju, the activists described the exercise as “ill-thought-out, inhumane, callous and gross abuse of the fundamental rights of the children.”

Meanwhile, the International Press Centre (IPC) has called for the release of a radio sports presenter in Akwa Ibom State by the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a statement, its Director, Lanre Arogundade, who condemned the arrest of Kufre Carter of XL 106.9 FM in Uyo, added that the clampdown was a violation on the Constitution and democratic tenets.