Igbos across the world have been sending their best wishes to a German national who proved to be a God-sent angel for their race during the Nigeria-Biafra War of 1967-70.

Msgr. Dr. Georg Huessler used his position as President of Caritas Germanyto saved millions of Igbo lives during the war and grateful Ndi-Ugbo have continued to celebrate him ever since. A lifelong soldier in the fight against poverty and injustice, Monsignor Huessler was the President of Caritas Germany for 21 years and carried out two mandates as Caritas Internationalis President from 1975 to 1983. Caritas is a global Non-Governmental organisation founded and run by the Catholic Church.

In a message he sent out reminding Ndi-Igbo that Rev. Dr. Huessler would be 91 years old on July 7, Joe Mmeh, Coordinator, Ndi-Igbo Germany, described him as “Our good old friend.”

Mmeh euglogised Huessler for “his selfless service, efforts and determination were instrumental to keeping Biafran (Igbo) children, women and men fed, medicated and alive for the 30 brutal months of civil war and genocide against Ndi-Igbo.”

According to Mmeh, “At the risk to his life, safety and freedom he, Caritas and other kind-hearted men and women provided sustenance to millions of Ndi-Igbo. He took Biafran children to Gabon when there was nowhere else to obtain health care andnourishment. Caritas gave life and hope to the beleaguered innocent men and women in Biafra.”

The Ndi-Igbo Germany Coordinator noted that “it has always been a pleasant surprise for Dr. Huessler to get cards from Ndi-Igbo Worldwide (then Biafran children and adults) during his birthday,” adding: “I am sure that even now that he is no longer healthy that cards from Ndi-Igbo shall once more gladden his heart.”

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Msgr. Dr. Huessler