Kano suicide attempt: Why I climbed mast-Sha-bege

Last Friday, the residents of Kano metropolis were thrown into a mild confusion and suspense over the news of a middle aged man, Isma’ila Abdullahi Sha-bege who climbed a radio transmission mast with a view to committing suicide over an unfulfilled promise by the Governor of Zamfara state, Abdulhaziz Yari. Sha-bege, who claimed to be […]

Last Friday, the residents of Kano metropolis were thrown into a mild confusion and suspense over the news of a middle aged man, Isma’ila Abdullahi Sha-bege who climbed a radio transmission mast with a view to committing suicide over an unfulfilled promise by the Governor of Zamfara state, Abdulhaziz Yari.

Sha-bege, who claimed to be the governor’s political praise singer during the 2011 general elections, alleged in a note that the governor abandoned him after he had promised to support him boost his business of tricycle fabrication.

Speaking to Kano Chronicle on phone yesterday, Sha-bege expressed dismay over the speculations that he attempted to commit suicide, stressing that his intention was to draw the attention of the authorities to the plight of teaming unemployed youths in the country that could have been empowered through his fabrication business.

“I did not climb the mast with intention to kill myself as speculated. I am a Muslim with good understanding of what God says about anybody that commits suicide for whatever reason. I did that to express my grievances about what happened between me and the in cumbent governor of Zamfara state" he said.

Sha-Bege revealed that before he embarked on his action he had studied the mast for almost seven days which informed his outfit that fateful Friday, and thus dispelled the rumour of purported suicide attempt.

“Before I climbed the mast I took almost a week everyday studying the mast to know better how it is and the possible things that may expose my life to danger. It may interest you to know that I was fully kitted that day from head to toe. So if I really wanted to commit suicide I wouldn’t have put on the kits” he said.

Narrating the genesis of the squabble Sha-Bege said “I was the leader of Zamfara state singers forum in 2011 when Yari was bidding for governorship of the state and when we won the election I had free access to the governor at anytime and I used that opportunity to present to him my God given talent of fabrication of tricycles.

“The governor was very impressed with my talent, seeing how it could be harnessed to address the issue of unemployment among youth and thus promised to support the innovation.

“He further promised to take me to President Muhammadu Buhari for presidential support, this spurred me to improve and modified the machine in various shapes and sizes, but to my greatest amazement, when I took sample of the tricycles to the governor, he denied me access to him and that made me frustrated given the money and everything I spent in the project” he said.

He said presently he could not continue with the business due to lack of resources, stressing that the only way to express his grievances was to climb the mast until the governor fulfil his promise.

He said after he was rescued he was held at the DSS office for 24 hours before he was finally released to go home.

Sha-Bege who was very remorse about the interpretation trailing his action, said very soon he would tender an apology to the governor of Kano state Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the Emir of Kano Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II over his action.

Asked whether he was going to allow his talent die for lack of sponsorship the inventor said already he was looking out for anybody that could invest in the business to empower youth in the state.