By Chiemelie Ezeobi
Flying Officer Ayuba Joab Layelmenson, joined the military as a rookie in 2004 with high hopes. He had the zeal and passion as well as his sheer brilliance to boot. His one goal was to fly for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and in essence his country Nigeria.
With such focus, the 2004 set of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Zaria, Kaduna, got to the academy and enmeshed himself in his studies. He had no time for unnecessary fun or laxity but he wasn't rigid. His smiling nature belied his quiet demeanour.
Back at the NDA, he was known for his quiet nature as well as his bookish tendencies. After the first semester exams, his diligence paid off. Based on his performance, he was nominated to travel to Greece to study as an airforce personnel. His joy knew no bounds as he had partly arrived and was way onto achieving his dreams.
I gathered that Layelmenson was picked based on his excellent performance in school and was sent to Greece in 2005 to school at the Hellenic AirForce Academy (HAFA) where he read piloting and graduated in 2011.
After his graduation, he came back to Nigeria and was posted to his Area of Responsibility (AOR) at 301 FlyingTraining School, before he was moved to the Aircraft Fighter Unit in Kainji, Niger State, where he was said to have again showed his diligence.
It was not surprising that when the Mali insurgency started, he was among those nominated to maintain peace in the war-torn country.
Although he was a peace-loving person, Layelmenson was only too happy to do what he knew best; flying. In preparation for the trip, he alongside others from the Nigerian contingent were taken to Adamawa for training after which they were deployed to Mali.
I gathered that their aerial surveillance was not the first but one of the countless ones they had carried out in order to give sightings from the sky of what was going on, on land.
But alas, Layelmenson's dream was snuffed out on Monday, May 7, alongside his superior officer, Squadron Leader Benjamin Bem Ado, during one of such operations in Niamey, Niger Republic Sky.
The deceased who's favourite quote was 'Peace is not the absence of war rather it's a virtue, a state of mind and a disposition of benevolence and love', died two months shy to his birthday on August 18. He was just 25 years and the youngest of his class of 2005.
Squadron Leader Ado was no different. He enrolled in the NAF, popularly referred to amongst the sister services as the gentleman's force, and grew through the ranks till he got to his present position.
Ado was a repository of knowledge and did not shied from sharing out such to those that seek for it. He was seen as a mentor by several growing young officers who did not hesitate to tap from his well of knowledge.
Therefore, unsurprisingly, those that I spoke to across the three services had only commendations for the fallen heroes. They were both described as easy going, quiet and collected.
In an emotion laden voice, Flying Officer Layelmeson's former roommate at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), who spoke under anonymity praised the deceased's sheer brilliance, a feat which he said made him stand out amongst his contemporaries.
Describing the deceased as bookish, he said it was not surprising when he was nominated to complete his studies abroad.
He said, "He was my roommate back in NDA but he was a very quiet and unassuming officer. If he was not on duty, you would always find him reading his books so were not really surprised when he topped his class."
"His lifestyle was different. He knew what he wanted and he went for it. Although we were not in the same service, his death was a shock to me. I can't believe my roomie is gone. He would always be remembered."
Layelmenson's classmate also back at the NDA was as shocked as anyone could be. According to him, he had gone to see the deceased in the training camp back at Adamawa before he went for the peace keeping mission in Mali.
He said, "How was I to know that would be the last time I would see him alive? Was there something I could have done better? All these questions keep pouring into my head and yet no answer in sight.
"He was one of the few friends that also doubled as my coursemate that I had. We were in the same battalion; Abishinya before he was sent to Greece. The distance notwithstanding, our friendship flourished."
According to him, Layelmenson was a very determined and focused person who was not an extremist except when it came to his books. He added that the deceased loved to gather knowledge which was why he kicked it off with Squadron Leader Ado, because the later liked to share knowledge.
Another officer, one of Ado's mentees, said he would miss the senior officer's calm disposition. According to him, Ado was one senior officer that the junior officers were not afraid to walk up to and ask question because of his non-bureaucratic nature.
He said, "He was my mentor especially back at the 301 Flying School in Kaduna. Although he was an officer and I was just a mere cadet, he took me under his wings and nurtured me.
"He was easygoing person that didn't talk much except when he was sharing knowledge. He loved to read and acquire knowledge and then share it out to those who needed it.
"I don't know what must have transpired for the plane to crash but I know he was very efficient as regards his job. It is a very sad moment for the NAF at large but more for us that he mentored."
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