Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has expressed sadness over the passing of a renowned missionary, Ruth Elton.
Elton before her demise was described as the oldest missionary in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Sunday through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke said Elton lived a life of service and made immense contributions to humanity.
Elton, who died at the age of 91 in Ilesa, Osun State, was the daughter of Sydney Granville Elton, one of the pioneers of the Pentecostal revival movement in Nigeria.
Governor Adeleke recalled that since her arrival in Nigeria in 1937 alongside her father, Elton had dedicated herself to spreading the gospel and providing grassroots healthcare initiatives to tackle medical challenges.
He also highlighted her remarkable decision to renounce her British citizenship in favour of Nigerian nationality, which he described as an expression of her faith in the country and her deep love for its people and cultures.
“I am devastated by the news of the passing of Ruth Elton, the woman widely acknowledged as the oldest missionary to Nigeria. Although she passed on at a ripe age of 91 years, knowing her contributions over the years, I cannot but feel the pain of such a loss,” Adeleke said in his condolence message.
“From 1937 when she arrived Nigeria with her father, Granville Elton, Ruth Elton has served the Nigerian people with unfailing dedication, contributing not just to the spread of gospel, but also joining efforts to fight many health scourges in communities.”
The governor described her passing as a heavy loss to Osun State, where she lived and died, noting that her memory would continue to inspire future generations.
“Her absence will be a heavy burden to us in Osun where she breathed her last on earth, but we will be consoled by the legacy of her impacts and the everlasting honour that comes with her contributions to the society,” Adeleke said.
He prayed for the repose of Elton’s soul and encouraged the Christian community and others touched by her works to continue building on her legacy.
Governor Adeleke also urged the faithful to emulate Elton’s life of service and to sustain her vision of faith, community development, and humanitarian service.