An Imperfect Storm

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.