BY PAMELA OGUAH
Hope
Hope,…
Wherefore art thou?
You flee from the broken
And the verily broken
Even whence
Their mustard energy
Moved them to stand
You flee, a thousand
Miles Further.
Hope, be not proud
As I’m courting your maker
And we have agreed
That I will not give up
On Him and what He
Has caused to exist.
by PAMELA OGUAH
Little Corona Vee,
You have killed more people
In a day,
Than has been recorded
In a long run,
What are you trying to prove?
The very thought of meeting you
has provoked many anxiety attacks
What are you trying to say?
Who do you think you are?
Continue reading “A MESSAGE FROM OKOTA”
Ignis*
Hi there. As at the time I typed the first word in this piece, I didn’t know what I was writing on. I did not know, say, if it would make sense or if people would like it. You know, the kind of stuff that kills the truth all in the name of “decorum”. But then, it suddenly re-occured to me, when have I really been one to consider so many factors before writing out my mind. I always write it exactly as I think it – unfiltered and uncensored – devoid of any devices with which most others would blot out some things in order to give you a ” good read “. I’m sorry oh, I’m not writing to amuse anyone. My aim is to put the truth directly in the spotlight so everyone can see it for what it is. Most editors won’t take my work because it’s too raw, and I’m ” always angry”. Lol, Camoquin is bitter but it’s your best treatment for malaria, so it’s either you take it or you stay ill.
Let’s talk about our society. I’m talking about Nigeria now. Let us try to take our minds through the latest trends around. We’re continually becoming decadent in our “culture”, all in the name of wanting to “belong”. That inferiority complex mentality of “I no fit carry last” is exactly the reason that the lot of us are “carrying last”. A man gets employed somewhere, and because he wants to impress his wife, neighbours, and village people, he throws a lavish party to celebrate. Everyone comes, they eat, they drink, they go. And he’s left in debt. Such a man would not hesitate to take a large loan to throw a big funeral for his father, should that father die. A man who is spending beyond his means. He is also living in constant debt. Let’s be honest, how is such a man going to prosper? Can he leave a good enough inheritance for his children? The Bible says that a good man leaves an inheritance even for his children’s children. This implies that if and when you fail to do this, you’re a bad person. A fool. Yes, I said it. But then, this is the story of most of our lives. We’re living beyond our means just so we don’t appear to be ” below standard”. Little do we know.
And then, I nearly forgot, there’s the issue of this election season we’re in. And no, I’m not here to express my fears that Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s picture will soon be a regular feature on bread wrappers and recharge cards. It is really about all of these people who have come again oh. I am talking about the ruling party, the opposition party, and the end-of-year parties. They’ve all presented candidates across the platforms of the country’s political spectrum. Everyone is “making mouth”, throwing shades, delivering sweet speeches riddled with bogus plans and unfeasible ideas. Nobody’s talking about the important things. Nobody (except a woman named Oby) is talking about the Chibok girls, and the last Dapchi girl. Nobody’s talking about the havoc that the “area boys” are wreaking in Lagos because one Oluomo got stabbed. Nobody’s talking about ASUU, the super strikers of “Shithole FC”. Nobody. All we, I actually, have been hearing is that they should “fix light”; they should fix the roads; we should export clothes; we should do this and that; but we’re leaving out the most important aspects of a successful society like education!!! Like my people will say, “ko buru”. We will all soon see the end of these things. Very soon.
*Oluwamayowa Akinyemi is a 500 level law student of the University of Lagos. The first of three children. A god. Also known as “Ignis” (Latin for “light”). A multifaceted artist with interests ranging from filmmaking to writing and public speaking. His works are mainly satirical in nature and revolve around trends in global and public affairs with a view to enlightening people on the downsides to said trends and how they can be corrected. Ignis is an introverted extrovert with a reserved personality and a tendency to talk a lot.
By Tobi Michael Babalola*
Hello, to those currently at the Nigerian Law School. I’m sharing with you my experience during the NLS two months externship and how you can make excellent use of the opportunity to gain practical knowledge for your Bar Examinations and in the long run your legal career.
The Externship programme is a part of the Nigerian Law School curriculum to add practical experience to what is taught within the four walls of your NLS classroom. The programme is divided into two invaluable learning experiences to wit; the court room externship, which comes first followed immediately by the chamber/law firm externship. At the end of this programme, NLS students are made to undergo a portfolio assessment to examine them on what they have learnt during the programme. This is also a prerequisite for being called to the Nigerian Bar.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
I believe the under listed steps have been taken and you’ve all received your placements:
-Fill the placement forms for both court and chamber attachments. N. B: The system of choosing your preferred local government and state is intentionally made flexible for your convenience.
-Submit the forms
-Get your placement notifications from NLS
-COMPLAINTS? inform your NLS campus Externship coordinator or Group mentor, as the case may be based on the information given by your campus coordinator or Directors.
-Listen to the instructions given and obey. (Many, but important, especially to avoid hiccups during your portfolio assessment).
For example – Making copies of work done during the programme; submitting a signed and up-to-date log book; filled assessment form accompanied by a letter & a copy of your attendance list to be in a sealed envelope from your chamber. Confirm if a court assessment is also required.
-Avoid rumors (listening to and spreading rumors). Get your instructions directly from the authorities which will be communicated to your various group heads or the Chairman Students Representative Council, as the case may be.
MYTHS ABOUT NLS EXTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS
Below, are some stories you hear about the Externship placements. Though not myths in all cases but in most cases. My colleagues may have shared some of these with you, bear in mind that this is subjective and wisdom is profitable to direct.
MY LAW SCHOOL EXPERIENCE Continue reading “#DEARASPIRANTSTOTHEBAR, NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL (NLS) EXTERNSHIP PROGRAMME; NUGGETS FOR SUCCESS.”
By Tope Akinyode*
SECTION 102 (1) OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT (CAMA), CAP. C20, LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA (LFN), 2004 (“Section 102”) provides:
“102 (1) A company having a share capital, whether or not the shares have been converted into stock, may in general meeting and not otherwise, increase its share capital by new shares of such amount as it thinks expedient.” [Emphasis mine]
In relation to and for a better appreciation of the foregoing, SECTION 233(6) CAMA states that:
A company may, by its articles, provide that any matter not required by the articles or by this Act to be passed by a special resolution, shall be passed by an ordinary resolution.
However, PARAGRAPH 29 OF THE COMPANIES REGULATIONS (“Paragraph 29”) also provides for the steps that are required of a company in order to increase its authorized capital. It states inter alia:
“Requirements for filing of notice of increase in authorized share capital shall include the following –
If the two legislations highlighted above i.e, the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and Companies Regulations (the “Regulations”) had adhered strictly to the same requirements for a Company to increase its share capital, this legal opinion would have been needless and would have amounted to a futile search for a thing which is not lost. In Nigeria’s corporate and companies’ firmament, the increase in shares of a running concern is common place. Hence, companies have had cause to worry over the appropriate procedure to adopt.
Read the full essay here.
*Tope Akinyode is a Legal Practitioner with areas cutting across “due dilligence”, debt recovery, and litigation. He also advises on Entertainment Law and Labour matters regularly. He can be reached at topeakinyode2@gmail.com.
EKAETE HUNTER 