Masobe Books is delighted to announce the addition of a profound and important title to our stack. An Imperfect Storm: A Pandemic and the Coming of age of a Nigerian Institution is a striking memoir that provides insightful perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Three years into Dr Chikwe’s tenure as the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), he is thrust into the spotlight, leading Nigeria’s response to a pandemic that would cause a seismic shift in world affairs and history.
An Imperfect Storm: A Pandemic and the Coming of Age of a Nigerian Institution is an inspiring memoir that provides a unique perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and the impact of competent leadership during times of crisis. As an experienced infectious disease epidemiologist with experience working in public health institutes in Germany, the United Kingdom, and South Africa, Dr Chikwe was uniquely prepared for his appointment as the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Nigeria’s national public health institute in August 2016. Little did he know that just three years into his tenure, he would be thrust into the spotlight, leading Nigeria’s response to a pandemic that would shake the world.
An Imperfect Storm has been critically appraised as:
“A narrative of resilience, diplomacy, and the collective effort against a common challenge. A unique account of Nigeria’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.”
—Yemi Osinbajo GCON. Vice President of Nigeria (2015 – May 2023)
“A riveting account of the battle against COVID-19 by one of Nigeria’s frontline heroes.”
—Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General, World Trade Organisation
“A deeply personal, honest, gracious and beautifully written story of a passionate and sacrificial love of country, made real, not just in words, but in deed.”
—Ike Anya, author of Small by Small: Becoming a Doctor in 1990s Nigeria
“An exploration of Nigeria’s resilient response — a true testament to collaborative efforts, leadership, and the unwavering spirit that influenced an entire nation facing a global crisis.”
—Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation
About the Authors
Dr 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 Organization (WHO) and across national public health institutes, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the UK’s Health Protection Agency (HPA), and Germany’s Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
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. Vivianne collaborates with development partners to lead the implementation of the Global Policy & Advocacy project at Nigeria Health Watch, which is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The titles are scheduled for release in the second and third quarters of 2024. Specific publication dates and cover reveals will be announced soon. For more information, please contact: Theresa Ominiabohs at +234 701 838 3286, email: info@masobebooks.com, follow us @Masobebooks on Instagram and Twitter, or visit the Masobe Books website at www.masobebooks.com.