This is a simple short story, packed with positive vibes! In Olikoye, Adichie writes on the importance of vaccinations. The story appeals to your emotions and gives hope on the future of health care in Africa. I had a constant smile on my face as I read this.
Olikoye is about a woman in labor, reminiscing and telling a nurse a story her father once told her on how the Minister of Health in Nigeria saved the lives of several babies by introducing vaccines into hospitals. I hope African health practitioners in Africa AND abroad are inspired by this story, as there is so much more they can do to continue to save lives of the people of Africa.
Moreover, I really appreciated the union of literature and health care in this story. I rarely see this cross over in African writing and I found it refreshing, especially as I am now in dental school. I hope African authors can temporarily ditch the usual colonization, post-colonialism, immigration, forbidden romance, poverty themes and maybe branch a little more into issues on health care.
African Book Addict! 
Ooh, thank-you for pointing me to this story!
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You’re welcome! Did you love it?
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I love pretty much everything Adichie writes. I hadn’t heard of Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, so I looked him up- quite an impressive man.
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I thought this was a wonderful story, and quite moving too. I admit I am also a fan of Adichie’s stories.
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How refreshing! I, too, appreciate the ease with which Adichie’s story talks about health care (and highlighting this positive figure in recent Nigerian history). I know she did it on purpose, but it doesn’t feel contrived. Thanks for turning me on to this!
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