Musa Sani, a bright 13-year-old, was recently given a scholarship worth N5 million by the governor of Borno State after he created a tiny prototype.
Musa Sani, 13, is a gifted student who recently received a scholarship worth N5 million from Borno State after using mud to construct a scale model of the state's first flyover at the well-known Customs Roundabout in Maiduguri. Musa Sani says his long-term goal is to work as a civil engineer.
Musa Sani studied Quran memorization, Islamic studies, and traditional elementary education at the Abba Kyari Quran Memorization and Integrated School, which is situated in the Sabon Layi neighbourhood of Gwange in Maiduguri, Borno State.
He recently gained notoriety by creating a miniature version of the flyover at Maiduguri's well-known Customs Roundabout using mud, as ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari in December.
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The 13-year-old has got N5 million from Governor Babagana Zulum for his inventiveness in using mud to mimic the flyover for his education at the Golden Olive Academy in Maiduguri.
Sani Idris, Musa's father, first worked as a commercial cab driver in Maiduguri for many years before switching to a commercial tricycle driver because of the dire economic conditions. He needs to find a way for an eight-child family to survive.
Musa is currently being transported to his new school by tricycle from their neighbourhood.
Musa stated on Saturday that he has a strong interest and passion for both painting and sculpting things out of mud.
"As I got older, I realised how much I love writing, doodling, and drawing. I also mould things I like using mud.
Nobody at school or anywhere else ever taught me how to sketch or use mud to create sculptures, Musa remarked.
I firmly believe that Allah gave me the ability to copy things and items in the surroundings through painting or construction.
I thank Allah for both this gift and the scholarship the state government provided me with so I could receive a good education.
According to Musa, "My enthusiasm for building significant infrastructure around the area where I reside led me to create projects.
Because I prefer flyovers to other structures, I utilised mud to create an imaginary flyover that does not exist anywhere.
Musa explained how he created the Customs Roundabout flyover in an interview with Daily Trust on Saturday. "One day I visited the area, which is not far from our home in Gwange, and I just observed how it was structured and built with the roads connecting it to our own town, and I developed the interest to use mud to design a similar flyover, Musa said. Thank God, I was able to design everything exactly, right down to the paintings.
In response to a question about his future plans, Musa stated, "My dream is to become a civil engineer so that I can create practical structures for the betterment of civilization.
To fulfil my goal of becoming an engineer, I'll put all of my attention into my studies. I won't make light of this chance. My studies are currently my main priority, especially with my parents' help.
Musa responded to Governor Zulum's generosity by saying, "I thank the governor genuinely for his support and guarantee him that I would not let him down because I will pay more attention to my academics, to reach my dream of becoming an engineer."
Musa's father, Malam Sani Idris, reported that his son began creating drawings and building things and buildings even before he entered primary school, supporting Musa's assertion that Allah had endowed him with the talent for sculpture and drawing.
I clearly recall that he began creating art when he was under five years old because whenever he came across paper and a pen, he would write or draw a picture of something he saw around the house or in the neighbourhood. Later, he progressed to creating sculptures out of mud.
Idris stated, "After I saw his God-given abilities to build things and draw without receiving any instruction or schooling, I prayed to Allah to give me the financial means to support his talents by enrolling him in a good school or vocational centre to enhance his skills, with a view to realising his dream.
"Governor Zulum personally tracked down our home with a few top government officials and awarded Musa a scholarship to help him develop his skills after he saw the small flyover he had sculpted out of mud.
"It's a talent that God gave him; nobody taught him how to sketch or create art. Although I come from a lowly and poor background, Allah has given me seven offspring, including Musa.
"We have no words to adequately express our sincere gratitude to Governor Zulum because only Almighty Allah can reward him, but we will do everything in our power to make sure Musa receives all the support he needs to pursue the education he needs to succeed.
Idris continued, "I and his mother have already made the necessary preparations to support Musa.
Musa is a brilliant student, according to a former instructor at his former school who did not want to be identified, who also added, "Musa is quiet, simple, and easily comprehends what is being taught."