Esther Olukoya and Emily Ogunde

Esther Olukoya
CitizenshipNigerian
OccupationsPastor, Author
Organization(s)Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries
Known forCo-founder of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries
Notable workChristian literature and teachings
TitleCo-founder, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries
SpouseDaniel Olukoya

Esther Taiwo Olukoya and Emily Kehinde Olukoga-Ogunde (both born March 16, 1913, Ijebu-Ode) were centenarian identical twin sisters from Nigeria. They celebrated their 100th birthday in 2013, as Nigeria's oldest twins. At the time, unlike her twin sister, Esther used a wheelchair. They were both traders by profession. Emily was also one of the wives of the veteran actor Hubert Ogunde.[1][2][3] They attributed their longevity in part to heredity (their mother died at age 104) and in part to their choice for a healthier lifestyle (they neither smoked nor drank) and their faith in God.[3] Emily died in September 2013.[1] Esther died in 2018.[4]

Lives and celebrations

Esther and Emily were born on 16 March 1913 in Ijebu-Ode, in what is now Ogun State, Nigeria. They were both traders by profession and attributed their longevity to heredity, a healthy lifestyle free from smoking and alcohol, and their Christian faith.[5] Their mother died at the age of 104, suggesting a strong hereditary component to their exceptional longevity.[6]

In 2013, they celebrated their 100th birthday, recognised as Nigeria's oldest twins at the time. Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun visited them to mark the occasion and honour their centenary milestone.[7]

Emily Kehinde Olukoga-Ogunde was one of the wives of Hubert Ogunde, the pioneering Nigerian actor, playwright and theatre director widely regarded as the father of Yoruba travelling theatre.[8] Emily died in September 2013, shortly after the twins' centenary celebrations, and Esther died in 2018.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 "Centenarian twin Olukoga – Ogunde dies". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Amosun celebrates oldest twins in Nigeria". Ogun State Television. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "The secret of our longevity -Nigeria's oldest twins". Osun Defender. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Remite Classy Event Usherettes". Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  5. ↑ "The secret of our longevity Nigeria's oldest twins". Osun Defender. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
  6. ↑ "The secret of our longevity Nigeria's oldest twins". Osun Defender. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
  7. ↑ "Amosun celebrates oldest twins in Nigeria". Ogun State Television. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
  8. ↑ "Centenarian twin Olukoga Ogunde dies". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
  9. ↑ "Centenarian twin Olukoga Ogunde dies". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-07-03.