Medical doctor and author of ‘Blurring Boundaries, Embracing Chaos: Reimagining Health to Counter Violent Extremism’ Natasha Chilambo, believes understanding the many faces of violent extremism in Nigeria will illuminate the many approaches to managing it: ‘For example, it is as much about the socio-economic status of the local community as it is about the connection to the so called global-war-on-terror.’
First Draft is our interview column, featuring authors and other prominent figures on books, reading, and writing.
Our questions are italicized.
What books or kinds of books did you read growing up?
I don’t have a distinct memory of reading when I was young. However, the first thing I remember reading is Mulenga and Jelita, although I think every Zambian kid had to read these books. Then a massive gap. Then going to my local library after I had moved to a little village in England and becoming obsessed with The Sleepover Club (embarrassed to say I read all 54 books) and books by Jacquelin Wilson. I mostly remember being the kid who was around the adults, especially my grandfather, asking too many ‘why is…’ questions. This made me super unpopular amongst my cousins.
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