Madam Malinda Mgbafor Okereke, also known as Mama Nsu Bekee, the last surviving female twin rescued by Mary Slessor, the Scottish missionary in the Arochukwu Ancient Kingdom of Abia over a century ago, has passed away.
A statement released on behalf of the family by her only surviving son, Bishop Okechukwu Okereke, and made available to newsmen in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, on Thursday, confirmed that she died at the age of 115.
The statement explained that the centenarian and her twin sister, Mgbokwo, were born during a time when the harmful traditional practice of killing twins was prevalent in their community.
According to the statement, this occurred around the year 1800 when the birth of twins was considered taboo in Arochukwu and other communities in the Lower Cross River region.
The newborn twins were routinely killed and discarded into the evil forest shortly before Mary Slessor’s arrival in the area for missionary work.
It was reported that Slessor successfully enforced a ban on the killing of twins in the region in 1876.
“The birth of Mgbafor and her twin sister, Mgbokwo, who passed on almost two decades ago, was not only attended to by Slessor and her team at their maternity at Obinagu, Amasu Village, Arochukwu, but the twins were subsequently adopted and fostered by Slessor herself,” the statement added.
The statement also said that the twins were given formal education at Mary Slessor Primary School in Arochukwu (now Mary Slessor Secondary Technical School), under the direct supervision of the Scots.
“This resulted in the twins’ sound command of the English Language, hence the nickname of Madam Mgbafor, ‘Mama Nsu Bekee’ (Mama that speaks English).”
Bishop Okereke described his mother as strong and joyful until her last days.
“She was strong, always neatly dressed, and full of joy until her last moments before her demise on March 5, following a brief illness.”
He further revealed that her burial would take place on Saturday, August 30, at her family compound in Amasu, Arochukwu, following a funeral service at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.
The statement added that Madam Malinda Mgbafor Okereke had three children, a daughter and two sons, but she was survived by a son, as well as grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and numerous relatives.
