Ohanaeze Loses Former Deputy President

The president general of Ohanaeze, Ambassador George Obiozor has mourned the death of a former deputy president of the group, Joel Kroham, who died at 74 on August 27, 2022.

Obiozor, in the statement signed by Ohanaeze’s national publicity secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, on Wednesday, described Kroham as ‘a truly committed Igbo chauvinist, erstwhile gallant Biafran soldier, faithful compatriot, harmonizer of interests and community leader’.

He also noted that the late chief was one of the most dependable, loyal and trusted deputies who defied all the contemporary Nigerian vagaries to remain faithful and focused to the pursuit of Igbo agenda.

The statement added, “Kroham demonstrated an extra-ordinary commitment to Igbo nationalism and thus highly devoted to the galvanization of all Igbo interest groups.

“It is on record that Joel Kroham was allergic to the crop of some Igbo quislers in the South South of Nigeria who have unabashedly betrayed and denied their ancestral roots; their conscience, identity and have sold their umbilical cord for a mess of pottage.

“Kroham never suffered an identity crisis. He volunteered for enlistment into the Biafran Army and returned from the war front with bullet wound. He maintained his Igbo dignity; remained unadulterated, courageous and proud of his origins until his transition.”

The deceased hailed from Upatabo in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. He retired from the Rivers State public service in 2014 as a director of finance.