An Imperfect Storm

₦15,000.00

“This book serves as a reminder of the highs, lows, and unwavering spirit that enabled our country’s response to an unprecedented global crisis.”

Yemi Osinbajo GCON

Vice President of Nigeria (2015 – May 2023)

The word epidemic is a common one in our lexicon, but most people had never experienced one. All that changed in December 2019 when rumours of a “pneumonia-like illness” began to circulate from Wuhan, China. While many around the world may not have ignored it, an infectious disease epidemiologist on a Christmas break in Amaigbo, South-eastern Nigeria recognised a potential warning sign.

Before that day, a journey of detours, discovery and destiny began for Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, a path that led him to becoming the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The work to build the NCDC into an institution of repute was complex and challenging. Each step, initiative, staff hire, and resource allocation contributed to Nigeria’s ability to respond to an unprecedented global event—a pandemic not witnessed at this scale in over a hundred years. COVID-19 was not just any outbreak, but a seismic shift in world affairs and history, leaving a lasting effect on lives, the economy, health, information dissemination, politics, and ideological systems.

This book explores the phenomenon never before witnessed in grand scale and in small details. It is a book about the love of humanity, the power of family, of hope, resilience, and collaboration. It is Chikwe and Vivianne Ihekweazu’s personal account, but also an important piece of history.

29 in stock

Chikwe Ihekweazu

Chikwe Ihekweazu is an infectious disease epidemiologist and public health leader with over twenty-five years of experience in senior leadership roles at the World Health Organisation, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, the South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases, the UK’s Health Protection Agency (HPA), and Germany’s Robert Koch Institute. He is the recipient of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) awarded by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for his service.

Vivianne Ihekweazu

Vivianne Ihekweazu is an accomplished health communications professional with over twenty years of experience. As the Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, a health communication and advocacy organisation based in Nigeria, she works tirelessly to structure health communications strategies that strengthen health advocacy in Nigeria. Using informed commentary, intelligence and insights on the Nigerian health Sector, she drives change on topics that matter to her including nutrition, maternal newborn and child health, routine immunisation, sexual and reproductive health & rights and health security.