Madam Malinda Mgbafor Okereke, fondly known as Mama Nsu Bekee and the last surviving female twin rescued by Scottish missionary Mary Slessor in the ancient kingdom of Arochukwu, Abia State, has passed away.
Her only surviving son, Bishop Okechukwu Okereke, made the announcement in a statement issued on behalf of the family in Umuahia on Thursday. He revealed that she died at the age of 115.
According to the statement, Madam Okereke and her late twin sister, Mgbokwo, were born during a time when the killing of twins was a common but harmful traditional practice in their community.
Their birth occurred around the 1800s, when twins were considered a taboo in Arochukwu and other parts of the Lower Cross River region. Such children were usually killed and cast into the so-called “evil forest” before the arrival of Mary Slessor, who later began her missionary work in the area.
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It was reported that Slessor enforced a ban on the killing of twins in 1876.
“The birth of Mgbafor and her twin sister, Mgbokwo, who died nearly two decades ago, was attended to by Slessor and her team at their maternity facility in Obinagu, Amasu Village, Arochukwu,” the statement read. “The twins were later adopted and raised by Slessor herself.”
The twins reportedly received their early education at Mary Slessor Primary School, Arochukwu (now Mary Slessor Secondary Technical School), under the direct supervision of the Scottish missionary and her team.
“This foundation gave them a strong command of the English Language, earning Madam Mgbafor the nickname, ‘Mama Nsu Bekee’ translated as ‘Mama who speaks English’,” the statement added.
“She remained strong, well-groomed, and joyful until her peaceful passing on 5 March, following a brief illness,” said Bishop Okereke.
He further disclosed that her funeral would take place on Saturday, 30 August, at the family compound in Amasu, Arochukwu, following a service at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.
Though she had three children one daughter and two sons, Madam Okereke is survived by one son, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family members.
