Metalex Legal Internship

Week One Task

Aug 30th, 2024

Threads

16

Interns have been assigned tasks to write articles on various aspects of law. To facilitate effective interaction and engagement, we are opening this forum for interns to review each other's articles.

Each intern will be paired with another within their respective categories. All interns are required to read the assigned articles, write a short review highlighting key takeaways, insights gained, aspects that were unclear or missing, and possible areas of improvement.

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Faruq Adebayo
1 year ago

REVIEW ON THE ARTICLE WRITTEN BY SIXTUS OBIAGWU.

 

TITLE.: NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SOCIETY AND THE ECONOMY.

This article by Sixtus is a well researched piece which at the first instance depicts the social order in the society with textual allusion from the Animal farm by George Orwell. Though, the main focus is the crucial contributions of non-profit organizations (NPOs) to various sectors, including education, healthcare, and community development, while also addressing the challenges and shortcomings within the sector. The introduction effectively sets the stage by drawing a parallel between the concepts of equality and classism, highlighting the inevitable social stratification in any functional society. However, I want to avert the mind of Sixtus Obiagu to the fact that even the human rights which are fundamental and inalienable to human are also subject of classism. Prof. Makau Mutua argues in his popular human rights paper, Savages, Victims and Saviours: The metaphor of human rights that human rights are savages against victims and saviours. The piece further questions the universality and cultural neutrality of the human rights project. He recommends that human rights should be constructed in a true universal human rights corpus, one that is multicultural, inclusive, and deeply political. 

He further mentions organizations like METALEX LEGAL, Save the Children Nigeria, UNICEF, and the Red Cross Society, the article provides concrete examples that readers can relate to, thus strengthening the argument.

Following the introduction, the paper defines NPOs clearly, emphasizing their independence from governmental influence and their focus on addressing social, economic, and environmental issues without a profit motive. The historical context provided gives a solid foundation for understanding the evolution of NPOs in Nigeria, from traditional community-based structures to modern organizations influenced by colonial and post-colonial developments.

Key characteristics of NPOs are outlined, stressing the importance of mission-driven activities, non-profit distribution, independence, and tax exemptions. These features distinguish genuine NPOs from entities that may falsely claim non-profit status while operating like commercial enterprises.

The analysis then delves into the various contributions of NPOs, categorizing them into five main areas:

1. Charity and Social Welfare where it is expounded that NPOs provide essential support to indigent citizens, helping to reduce crime and contribute to agricultural development, thereby enhancing economic growth.

2. Advocacy, majorly the NPOs help to promote social justice, influencing policies, and creating awareness on critical issues, ensuring a more equitable society.

3. Education and Training: he further enlightens that organizations contribute to educational advancement through scholarships, vocational training, and mentorship programs, helping bridge the gaps left by the government.

4. Healthcare Development: NPOs provide healthcare services, health education, and support for medical research, particularly in underserved areas, thus improving the overall health and wealth of the nation.

5. Community Development: NPOs identify and address community needs, promote social cohesion, and work towards conflict resolution, contributing to peaceful and sustainable development.

The conclusion reinforces the indispensable role of NPOs in societal and human capital development, while also acknowledging the challenges posed by fraudulent organizations that misuse the non-profit label. The call for stricter regulation and oversight of NPOs in Nigeria is a crucial point, aiming to ensure that these organizations fulfill their intended purpose of serving the public good.

My Comments:

The writer doesn't highlight the challenges that the NPOs are facing, I recommend the challenges are needed for this wonderful piece to further embellish the literary flavour.

Moreover, after highlighting the challenges, solutions to tackle the problems are ought to be proffered.  It will further augment the literary piece.

And finally, the economic impacts of the NPOs are not discussed. As one of the keywords of the article, it should be at least briefly expounded if not totally explicated to the core. 

Well done, Sixtus. Looking forward to more engagements together.

Yours sincerely.

EMMANUELLA OKONOPA
1 year ago
A very detailed review, I must say. I have not read this particular article but your review paints a really vivid picture of the author's work. Thank you for communicating your thoughts on how you think the article could have been MORE, respectfully. Also, great work Sixtus.
Mary Adefolaju
1 year ago

REVIEW OF THE ARTICLE WRITTEN BY KENNETH CHIBUEZE: Corporate Morphology: Exploring The Basis, Shape And Substance Of Business Structures


The article was honestly worth the read, from the introduction to the end, I was glued to it. The research was well done, but I felt like the introduction of the constitutive technique could have been better done. It should have been more  explained, while relating it to the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020. 

Also, I enjoyed reading about the laws of CAMA all through the work too, it showed a company in Nigeria can’t excel without sticking to provisions of CAMA

More so, The body was properly executed, and the conclusion was great too, but, they were no provisions for references, as a reader, I would have loved if the referenced text were highlighted in the article, but all in all. It was a good one. 

Naomi Olatunji
1 year ago

REVIEW OF HELEN FIDELS RESEARCH TITLED “INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY: FAIR DEALING LOOPHOLES AND ENFORCEMENT GAPS”


I must first commend you for the research done. Your article creates a solid foundation by providing a complete summary of Intellectual Property Laws applicable to Nigeria's entertainment industry. A person who had no idea of IP laws would read your work and have a foundational idea. The use of Decided Cases successfully demonstrates the practical use of these Laws. 

However, the part on the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) may cause some misunderstanding because it implies it is an intellectual property Law, which it is not. CAMA is vital for the operational aspects of the entertainment industry, but noting that its primary focus is corporate governance and business regulation rather than direct intellectual property protection will improve the article's accuracy. 

Examining fair dealing and enforcement loopholes is insightful in identifying crucial areas where the current intellectual property framework is challenged. However, the explanation of fair dealing could be supplemented with particular examples or hypothetical scenarios to demonstrate how these laws might be implemented or abused in the entertainment Industry.

Furthermore, when discussing enforcement issues, providing prospective remedies , such as improved digital monitoring , could provide a more balanced viewpoint and deepen the article's analytical depth. 

The inclusion of your poem gives a personal and creative touch to your article, distinguishing it and emphasizing your connection to the subject. Furthermore, precise citations or references would strengthen the research, especially when discussing specific cases, legal provisions, or statistical data. 

In all, Helen Fidel did a fantastic work in this research.