Madam Malinda Okereke, Last Surviving Twin Rescued By Mary Slessor, Dies At 115

Madam Malinda Mgbafor Okereke, fondly known as "Mama Nsu Bekee," and the last surviving female twin saved by Scottish missionary Mary Slessor in Arochukwu, Abia State, has passed away at the age of 115.

The announcement was made in a statement issued by her only surviving son, Bishop Okechukwu Okereke, and shared with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia on Thursday.

Born alongside her twin sister Mgbokwo at a time when twin births were deemed taboo, Madam Okereke was a survivor of a brutal era in the early 1800s when twins were often killed and discarded in evil forests due to harmful traditional beliefs in Arochukwu and surrounding regions of the Lower Cross River.

Mary Slessor, who arrived in the area as a missionary and social reformer, is credited with ending the twin-killing practice after enforcing a ban in 1876. According to the statement, Madam Okereke and her sister were not only born under Slessor’s care at her maternity center in Obinagu, Amasu Village, Arochukwu, but were also adopted and raised by the missionary.

The twins received their education at Mary Slessor Primary School, now known as Mary Slessor Secondary Technical School, where they were taught directly by the Scots. This upbringing gave Madam Okereke a strong command of English, earning her the nickname “Mama Nsu Bekee” (Mother Who Speaks English).

Bishop Okereke recalled that his mother remained vibrant, elegantly dressed, and cheerful until her passing on March 5, following a brief illness.

Her funeral is scheduled for Saturday, August 30, at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, after which she will be buried in her family compound at Amasu, Arochukwu.

Madam Okereke was mother to three children—two sons and a daughter—but is survived by one son, along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family members.