Schoolmates Shed Light on Viral Naval Officer's Background
The recent confrontation between Naval Officer Lt. Yerima and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has sparked widespread discussion across Nigeria, prompting those who knew the officer during his formative years to come forward with insights about his character and background.
Following the viral incident where Lt. Yerima prevented Minister Wike from accessing a property in Abuja, claiming he was acting on superior instructions, three individuals who attended school with the naval officer have shared their personal experiences and knowledge about him.
Respectful Junior Turned Professional Officer
Harry Santa Goodnews, a Facebook user who identified himself as Lt. Yerima's senior in secondary school, described the officer as "a very respectful guy even before he gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy." In his social media reaction to the viral video, Goodnews emphasized that despite any provocation, Minister Wike should not have called the officer a "fool."
He praised Yerima's professional conduct during the encounter, stating: "Nice one Officer Yerima for displaying such level of professionalism." Goodnews also revealed that both he and Yerima were born and raised in Elelenwo, and mentioned that the officer was classmates with Engr. Efinity Ephraim Ejekwu and Praise Ijeoma Ochonma during their school days.
Childhood Neighbor Reveals Shared History
Another individual, identified as Deribela, provided deeper insights into Yerima's background, revealing that they not only attended the same school but also grew up in the same Elelenwo neighborhood. Deribela mentioned that during their time at Victory College (V.V.C), Yerima was one class ahead of him.
More personally, Deribela disclosed that Lt. Yerima once lived in his late father's one-room apartment, providing context to their long-standing acquaintance. He defended the officer's actions during the Wike confrontation, attributing them to military training and discipline.
"The military are always trained to respect and follow the law and command, no matter who is involved," Deribela wrote, suggesting that Yerima was likely acting on directives from his superior officer.
Former School Prefect and "Star Boy"
Engr. Efinity Ephraim Ejekwu, who identified himself as Yerima's direct classmate, revealed that the naval officer held a leadership position during their school days. According to Ejekwu, Yerima served as the social prefect at Victory College and was considered a "star boy" - a term suggesting popularity and influence among his peers.
Ejekwu's Facebook post highlighted the distinctive character of individuals from Elelenwo, warning: "Away from politics, you hardly challenge an Elelenwo son or anyone born in Elelenwo." His statement suggests that Yerima's background in the community shaped his confident demeanor during the confrontation with the minister.
The revelations from these three schoolmates paint a picture of a disciplined, respectful individual who has maintained consistent character traits from his school days through his military career. Their accounts provide valuable context to understanding the officer who suddenly found himself at the center of national attention following his professional stand against a powerful government minister.
