By Prosper Mene
Madam Malinda Mgbafor Okereke, fondly known as Mama Nsu Bekee, the last surviving female twin rescued by Scottish missionary Mary Slessor in Nigeria’s Arochukwu Ancient Kingdom, has passed away at the remarkable age of 115. Her death was announced by her only surviving son, Bishop Okechukwu Okereke, in a statement released to the press in Umuahia, Abia State, on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
Born over a century ago, Madam Malinda and her twin sister, Mgbokwo, were saved from a grim fate by Mary Slessor, who arrived in the region in the late 1800s to end the traditional practice of twin-killing. At the time, twins were considered taboo in Arochukwu and parts of the Lower Cross River region, often killed and discarded in the “evil forest” due to cultural beliefs that viewed their birth as an abomination. Slessor, a devoted missionary, enforced a ban on this practice in 1876 and personally rescued and fostered many twins, including Malinda and Mgbokwo, whose births were attended by Slessor and her team at their maternity in Obinagu, Amasu Village, Arochukwu.
Under Slessor’s care, the twins were raised and educated at the Mary Slessor Primary School (now Mary Slessor Secondary Technical School) in Arochukwu, where they received formal education under the direct supervision of Scottish missionaries. This opportunity marked a significant departure from the fate that awaited twins before Slessor’s intervention. Mgbokwo, Malinda’s twin sister, passed away nearly two decades ago, leaving Malinda as the last living symbol of Slessor’s transformative work in the region.
Madam Malinda’s life stood as a testament to the enduring impact of Mary Slessor’s missionary efforts, which not only saved countless lives but also challenged deeply rooted cultural practices. Her passing marks the end of an era, closing a chapter on a remarkable story of survival, and the power of compassion to change lives.
The family has not yet announced funeral arrangements, but Madam Malinda’s legacy as a survivor of a bygone era and a beneficiary of Slessor’s humanitarian work will continue to inspire the living. Her story is a reminder of the progress made in abolishing harmful traditions and the influence of one woman’s mission to protect the vulnerable.
