A World Bank-supported project, Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) has offered education support to an 11-year old girl, Saratu Garba.
The Project Communication Officer, Aliyu Yusuf made this known in an interview in Kano on Wednesday.
The report of Garba’s prowess in Arithmetic and her ability to provide mathematical solutions had gone viral on social media platforms.
The recent viral video clip on the girl attracted the attention of many organisations, including an NGO, the Centre for Innovative and Pragmatic Development Initiative (CIPDI), which detailed its staff to interview the girl and meet with her parents.
It also attracted many other people who are marvelled at her prowess and ability to solve mathematical questions without using calculator or known formulas.
AGILE’s Yusuf, who is also the Deputy Director of Information at Kano State Ministry of Education, said that the project’s National Office had directed its Kano office to identify the girl and enroll her in school.
“Coincidentally, the Kano AGILE Project team is on an advocacy visit to the five emirate councils in the state with a view to soliciting for their support, being critical stakeholders in the promotion of adolescent girls’ education.
“During the team’s visit to Gaya Emirate Council, the girl and her parents were invited to the emir’s palace.
“The representative of the state ministry of education, Haruna Muhammad-Panidau and the AGILE team briefed the Emir, Ali Ibrahim-Abdulkadir on the intention of the project to shoulder the educational responsibilities of the young girl,” he said.
According to him, Panidau presented school uniform, a bag and other learning materials to the young talented girl.
Yusuf said that the Kano Project Coordinator, Ado Tafida-Zango, also presented N20,000 to the girl to support her education.
Garba, who dropped out of school while in primary four and embraced street hawking in her home-village, Gwadahi said she is gifted in solving mathematical questions.
“I am good in mathematics, whether addition, subtraction, division or multiplication. I can calculate numbers in millions up head, without writing or using calculator.
“I left school because of bullying. My peers used to call me names which I detested. I will not go back to that school. I’ll be happy to continue my studies in another school, away from them,” she said.
