I believe the effort made by the agency to provide the details contained in this proposal deserves more than the overwhelming emotion-based comments I have read in the comment section.

The overarching concerns expressed by the agency center around a lack of control over its statutory responsibilities. They include but not limited to:

1. Lack of visibility of activities of non-immigrants with the affected visa categories
2. Abuse of the trust by DSOs and some university owners
3. Number of the affected visa categories who are likely to overstay
4. Threats to US national security

I will address these concerns by providing points that the agency should contemplate. Because I do not have verifiable data, I will rather raise questions that the agency may have enough data to answer.

To the first point that the agency lacks the visibility of activities of non-immigrants with the affected visa categories. I am not sure how a fixed duration of stay provides better visibility. I believe a student that will err does not need more than their fixed term to err unless the agency thinks it is a lesser risk to have an erring student spend only 2 or 4 years than granted an extended time to do those things that the agency is hoping to curb. Why does the agency need to have an application for an extension before it can vet any non-immigrant for compliance? I do not think it is too much to ask that intending visitors to the US give up some of their privacy rights. They are non-American citizens and should not expect the same immunity that Americans enjoy from the constitution of their country.

This measure removes the need to hope that every visitor will, in good faith, keep to the rules of engagement through the duration of their stay. The agency should also randomly select non-immigrants residents of over one year, two years, three years for vetting. The sample size should increase with the number of years they have spent. The vetting once agreed to upfront does not have to involve the subject of an investigation to avoid any psychological burden. Effective vetting could be achieved through cooperation among intergovernmental agencies. The IRS, Social Security Administration, Department of Public Safety, Financial Institutions can deliver a holistic view of the activities of any subject of investigation. Overall, fix the system, not punish the people for the inefficiency of the system. Estonia will be a poster child of how leveraging technology could help the agency fix the problems associated with visibility.

Abuse of trust by DSOs and some university owners is a problem that can be fixed with better accountability. A lot can go wrong in any system shrouded in secrecy. Perhaps an inter-higher eds accountability could help here. For example, include a requirement that all DSOs identifies in their process an approving authority outside their institution. It could be a DSO from another institution with similar consequences for both the DSOs and their institutions in case of an exposed fraud. Fix the system, do not punish the good ones while attempting to punish the evil ones. Financial controls in government can provide a good model for proofing the current process without adding any more burden on the students.

As regards the number of overstays, I am surprised the agency could track overstay but has no effective measure to limit or eliminate it. Again, an upfront agreement to being vetted as a non-immigrant resident allows the agency to collect information about anyone suspected to be elongating their stays unnecessarily. This measure also justifies the idea that the fraction of those randomly selected for vetting should increase with the number of years spent in the country. Also, does the agency consider the problem with using the percentage of overstay to determine countries that should have stricter restrictions? Accepting Chinese students at 2% overstay versus Burundi students at 50% is like accepting hundreds of thousand erring ones over a few hundred. The numbers do not add up.

A visitor who poses a threat to US national security does not necessarily need more than whatever fixed duration of their admission. The one who starts a process does not have to complete it. Hence, as long as visas are issued at all, limiting the duration of stay should not have a significant impact on the pre-meditated surreptitious activities of individuals or organizations. Increasing intelligence is the only way to keep a country safe. America is so big and diverse in its population that the threats from a foreigner could not outweigh those from its citizens and legitimate residents. Also, the need to single out specific countries is always a pointer to a weakness in the system the agency seeks to failure-proof. There are enough evil-inclined humans in every country on earth. Likewise, those who recruit people for their evil agenda can do so anywhere.

Overall, many variables can help the agency improve its proposal. A breakdown of the visa applicants by education level could show where the system needs attention. For instance, what is the fraction of erring Ph.D. students within the affected visa categories? What is the benefit-cost ratio of an umbrella policy that affects all Ph.D. prospects given the value yield of the upright ones versus the damage from the erring ones? Does nationality matter across all the levels of education? Are there other factors beyond nationality like country of residence of a visa applicant irrespective of their nationalities? Does the academic qualification with which a candidate received admission to the program for which they seek visas have any significance on their behaviour in the US? What about financial metrics? The agency should contemplate these questions at each level of education.

No, today isn’t Mother’s Day. Why then should I be writing an article about my mother and think it would be published, I asked myself. Well, everyday should be mothers’ day because it’s a privilege to have them around after the toils of raising us. If your mom has departed, accept my sincere condolence. This piece is intended to make us honor our mothers more. Few days ago, my siblings and I celebrated her birthday for the first time in her life. I hope the paragraphs that follow will give you a reason if you don’t value your mother. Besides, it’s recorded in Ephesians 6:1-2:

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

In my previous job, my story was like that of Daniel in the Bible. During the onboarding, by God’s favor, I was singled out as the best amongst my peers. I actually asked God for this, and my Mom always says “We shall be the head and not the tail”. I was elevated to work in the head office instead of the role I applied for.

With this my troubles began. The first was with my direct line manager who didn’t want to work with me. As his request for my removal was declined he stopped engaging me in favor of a female colleague he liked. So, I told my Mom about it and when she prayed he was removed and posted to another country.

A new line manager was brought in from the U.S. and I had favor with her. Now the number of my adversaries increased with fierce attacks. Some of you know what I am talking about working in a large firm with different cultures. I always returned from work unhappy and dreaded going to work in the morning. This adversely affected my mental health.

One Friday we were having a very important training session facilitated by the International Training Department of the company when one of the managers who had been my tormentor-in-chief called my boss (also his boss) to his office. Till today I don’t know what he said to her. She sent another manager to inform me to resume in one of the stores on Monday and remain there. I was heartbroken and humiliated.

Again I told my Mom about it and she prayed. Less than an hour after I resumed in the store, I got a call from my boss asking me where I was and that I should return to the head office. But these people didn’t quit tormenting me. They drove me to the point of depression. As I was stepping out for work one morning, my Mom asked me for the names of my troublers and I gave her three names.

After coordinating a scheduled meeting that same morning, my boss asked two other colleagues and I to wait for her, but strangely, they left. She was the acting MD and her words were strictly obeyed and just less than two minutes after they left, she came in and hurried me to the conference room for another meeting. Sited, she asked me what I wanted. I could not give an answer. In the next two hours she showed me the elaborate plan of the company and my role in it. Then she delegated her complete authority to me.

Henceforth, all store managers were to report to me; all head office managers were to go through me to get to the stores. I should cease requesting for vehicles instead I should use her car for my field work. I should plan my weekly schedule and budget and submit to her. I was to handle every issue from the stores and no one was to come directly to her except through me. I should only come to her on things I can’t solve. I was provided with an assistant. Whoever was not going to do as I said would be sacked and a memo was sent ratifying this decision.

When I got home my Mom asked if something happened in the office. I had missed calls from her during the day. Then I told her all that happened. She said she didn’t go to the market that day that she used the names of my enemies to pray for hours. And the icing on the cake, my tormentor-in-chief was disgraced few days later for sexual assault on one of the expatriate female staff. After being wrestled to the ground he was hauled out by a guard.

I needed to share this to emphasize the value of all mothers, not just mine. You need to honor your mom so that when she prays for you two things will happen: your enemies will be disgraced, and you will be vindicated and promoted.

Some days ago, I was collating data for a client from newspaper opinion columns. The client needed to write a review of the debates on President Donald Trump’s fascism status and so he needed to know exactly the reasons behind the negative branding. As I was reading through opinions and noting down perspectives of different writers and columnists, I couldn’t help laughing at some of them. But then, I had to call myself to order when I discovered that I was actually the one that needs to be laughed at. The truth is that I was comparing the actions that incited these debates with what is happening in Nigeria.

My people will say that “ife ojoo gbaa afo, o buru omenala”, meaning that anomalies become norms when they are allowed to linger. Nigeria claims to practice democracy but we are practicing a system of government that does not have a name yet. No, Nigeria is not a fascist nation and our leaders are not particularly fascists. But what they are is yet to be defined.

Now, back to the survey of people’s opinion, I realised that most of the things Americans complained about Trump is what we have accepted and adopted in our country. People like me felt they were being dramatic because what appals them is entertaining to us. Things they condemned are what we have approved. It was as if we were moving in the opposite direction; yet we claim to practice democracy.

In case you want to ask, the five major events that made Americans scream about Trump are his dispersal of peaceful protesters with teargas and rubber bullets; his statement that he might come for third term and his hint that he will not accept election result if it doesn’t favour him; his claim that he is the best president America can ever have; his verbal attacks on his political opponents; and his sending the military into the cities. Now, compare these factors with Nigerian ones and tell me what you think. Do you still blame me for laughing?

Blown fuel

Let’s look at how Nigerian leaders handle protests, peaceful or not. Have you ever heard of any protest that the police and the military have not brutalised the demonstrators? Is there any protest in this country where people were not shot dead? Are demonstrations even allowed to be held in this country? Let’s be honest with ourselves, our leaders are actually suppressing us. We are being intimidated and subjected into accepting whatever that is thrown at us. We are free and still in bondage. I just pray that this changes.

The next thing that touched me about the above mentioned events is the attack on political opponents. Do you know why I laughed here? I guess you will rightfully say that in Nigeria, political opponents do not face verbal attacks; theirs is settled between the DSS detention camp, EFCC cells and the prisons. I know most of them have skeletons in their cupboards but those in the right camp also have smelly skeletons. But they are moving about freely. This attitude is also displayed on protesters, journalists, religious leaders, and anybody considered a “threat” to the government. Yes, we have democracy, but we are not free.

What about the accusation that Trump may not accept the election result? Apart from Goodluck Jonathan, which other politician in Nigeria gladly conceded to defeat? The normal thing here is that you lose at the polling unit and then go to the court to revert it. Well, what do I know?

The abnormality in our system is like an ulcer that has spread to other sectors. And like a cancer, it is eating us up and shutting us down. People are afraid to talk. People are afraid to act. The only way to call the government’s attention to people’s grievances, which is peaceful demonstration, has been turned into the military and police shooting practice ground. Right now, we are doing siddon look, wondering what next will be thrown at us. But from all I can see, we are definitely not practising democracy in Nigeria.

Easy Solar announced the closing of a $5m round of funding, to scale operations in West Africa including a $3 million Series A Equity round led by global impact investor Acumen and FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, in addition to a $2m debt facility from investment platform Trine.

Easy Solar provides energy solutions ranging from small lanterns for lightning and mobile charging, to pico solar home systems with appliances like TVs and fans, including KW sized systems designed for residential, commercial, and industrial users. The energy company has overtime, established an extensive distribution network and high volume of prior credit data. Easy Solar now offers more than solar, it serves other services such as clean cooking devices and pay-as-go smartphones.

Earlier, investment platform Trine, had invested $2 million in the solar company, and now FMO Ventures said the electricity deficiency in West Africa and the need for cleaner energy has spurred it to close the deal.

“Off-grid energy companies play a critical role in delivering clean, affordable, reliable energy without the need for grid infrastructure. Sierra Leone’s low electrification rates combined with limited alternatives for clean energy make Easy Solar’s business model highly relevant,” Marieke Roestenberg, FMO venture program manager said.

“The company has a strong and dedicated founding the team, which has managed to grow the company substantially during the past years. FMO’s funding allows the company to continue this expansion, both inside and outside Sierra Leone,” he added.

The deal places Sierra Leone and Liberia in a position to enjoy stable electricity supply. Easy Solar is an innovative distribution company making energy and financial services affordable and accessible for those with limited access to power in the two countries.

The vast majority of people in Sierra Leone and Liberia are off-grid, both countries are low income with electrification rates below 20%. Consequently, the funding will enable Easy Solar to expand cleaner energy distribution between the West African countries.

Acumen said Easy Solar has defied the odds of low income to expand electrification to Liberia, and they are thrilled to become part of the progress.

“Acumen is thrilled to support Easy Solar’s growth in markets that are too often overlooked. Despite low mobile-money penetration and a high concentration of low-income customers, Easy Solar has made pay-as-you-go solar accessible to Sierra Leoneans and now Liberians,” said Megan Curran, West African director of Acumen.

The CEO of Easy Solar Alexandre Tourre said the company will continue to learn from local markets as it aims to expand in West Africa.

“While further expansion in West Africa is on the horizon with this funding, we remain committed to our vision of going deep into the markets we operate in. we will continue to improve the reach of our brand and distribution networks in Liberia and Sierra Leone – where we operate the country’s largest direct retail network – and leverage it to offer additional products and services to our customers, directly or through strategic partnership.

“We’re also very excited to have brought such experienced and committed investors to the table as we continue with the scaling up of our C&I activities to answer the growing energy needs of offices, farms, factories, schools, hospitals, etc. across West Africa, with the same commitment to quality, ease of use and affordability,” he said.

Since 2016 when Easy Solar was founded, it has provided renewable energy to over 450,000 people, thereby providing over 600 jobs. The solar energy company has established a transformative energy network to serve the underserved to the last mile. The progress thus serves as a complement to Solarize which has been expanding in East Africa.

The African continent has been making tremendous progress in partnership with investors in the cleaner energy ecosystem. There has been increasing input from solar energy since the 2018’s record of 1.6% power generated from renewable energy. The African Development Bank’s Africa Renewable Energy Fund (AREF), has also been providing finance across Sub-Saharan Africa for innovations geared toward renewable-energy-based power generation.