Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed sadness over the death of renowned missionary, Ruth Elton, who passed away in Ilesa at the age of 91.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Sunday, Adeleke described Elton as a woman who lived a life of service and made lasting contributions to humanity.
Elton, daughter of Sydney Granville Elton—one of the pioneers of the Pentecostal revival in Nigeria—arrived in the country in 1937 and devoted her life to spreading the gospel as well as promoting grassroots healthcare. She later renounced her British citizenship to become a Nigerian, a decision the governor said reflected her deep love for the country and its people.
“I am devastated by the passing of Ruth Elton, widely acknowledged as Nigeria’s oldest missionary. Though she lived to 91, her contributions make her loss deeply painful,” Adeleke said.
He added that her legacy in Osun, where she lived and died, would continue to inspire future generations.
The governor prayed for the repose of her soul and urged the Christian community and others touched by her works to uphold her vision of faith, community development, and humanitarian service.
