Mary Slessor and Her Rescued Twins, including Malinda Mgbafor
ONN. June 12, 2025
Malinda Mgbafor Okereke, the last surviving twin rescued by Scottish missionary Mary Slessor, has passed away at the age of 115, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s social and missionary history.
Popularly known as Mama Nsu Bekee, a nickname earned for her fluency in English, Malinda and her twin sister Mgbokwo were born during a dark era when the birth of twins was considered a curse in parts of southeastern Nigeria. In the early 1800s, twins were commonly killed or abandoned in Arochukwu and surrounding communities.
Their lives took a different turn with the arrival of Mary Slessor in the region in 1876. The missionary, known for her courageous campaign against the killing of twins, rescued and adopted several abandoned children, including Malinda and Mgbokwo.
According to a statement from her only surviving son, Bishop Okechukwu Okereke, the twins were raised and educated under the care of Slessor and her team at Obinagu, Amasu Village, Arochukwu. They attended Mary Slessor Primary School, now Mary Slessor Secondary Technical School, where their command of English distinguished them within the community.
“Mama was always strong, neatly dressed, and full of joy, even in her final days,” Bishop Okereke said. She died peacefully on March 5, following a brief illness.
Her twin sister, Mgbokwo, passed away nearly two decades earlier.
Malinda Mgbafor is survived by one son, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended relatives. She will be laid to rest on August 30 in her hometown of Amasu, Arochukwu, after a funeral service at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.
Her life stands as a powerful symbol of resilience, faith, and the enduring legacy of missionary intervention against harmful traditional practices in Nigeria.
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