Madam Malinda Mgbafor Okereke, the last surviving twin rescued over a century ago by the famous Scottish missionary, Mary Slessor, has passed away at the age of 115.
In a statement shared with reporters in Umuahia, Bishop Okechukwu Okereke, her only surviving son, announced that she died peacefully on March 5 after a short illness. Madam Okereke was a direct beneficiary of Mary Slessor’s fight against the killing of twins, a practice that was common in the Arochukwu region during the 1800s.
Born in the early 1900s with her twin sister, Mgbokwo, Madam Okereke came into a world where twin births were seen as a curse. At the time, such infants were often abandoned or killed. However, Mary Slessor, who arrived in the area in 1876, pushed for the end of this deadly belief and personally took care of rescued twins.
According to the family statement, both twins were delivered at the missionary’s maternity home in Obinagu, Amasu village, Arochukwu. Slessor later adopted them and raised them under her care, providing them with not just shelter and protection but also formal education. They attended Mary Slessor Primary School, which is today known as Mary Slessor Secondary Technical School.
Okereke notes that his mother, who was fondly called “Mama Nsu Bekee” due to her fluent English, lived a vibrant and graceful life. “She was strong, always neatly dressed, and full of joy until her last moments,” he said.
She outlived her sister Mgbokwo by nearly 20 years. Over the years, Madam Okereke became a symbol of survival and hope, drawing admiration from the community. Despite her age, she remained mentally sharp and maintained close ties with both her family and community members.
Her funeral will take place on Saturday, August 30, in her hometown of Amasu, Arochukwu, after a church service at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.
She is survived by one son, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family members.
