Governor Adeleke Mourns Passing Of Veteran Missionary, Ruth Elton

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Ruth Elton, widely regarded as Nigeria’s oldest missionary, describing her passing as a great loss to humanity.

In a condolence statement, the Governor praised Elton’s decades of service, recalling her remarkable journey of faith and social impact since she first arrived in Nigeria in 1973 alongside her father, Granville Elton.

According to him, Elton devoted her life to spreading the gospel, fostering community growth, and providing grassroots healthcare interventions to combat medical challenges in rural areas.

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Governor Adeleke highlighted Elton’s extraordinary decision to renounce her British citizenship and fully embrace Nigeria as her home, noting that such a choice underscored her unwavering love for the people and culture of her adopted country.

“I am devastated by the news of the passing of Ruth Elton, the woman widely acknowledged as the oldest missionary to Nigeria. Though she lived to the age of 91, her loss is still deeply painful, given the tremendous impact she had on generations of Nigerians,” the Governor said.

He further remarked that Elton’s presence in Osun State, where she spent her final days, left indelible footprints through her humanitarian and spiritual works. “Her absence will weigh heavily on us in Osun, but we are comforted by the enduring legacy of service, love, and faith that she has bequeathed to humanity,” he added.

Governor Adeleke prayed for the peaceful repose of Elton’s soul and encouraged members of the Christian community and those touched by her work to sustain her legacy by upholding her values of selflessness, faith, and service to others.