Ruth Elton, a pioneering British-born missionary who devoted her life to spreading Christianity and improving public health in Nigeria, has passed away at the age of 91.
She died on Saturday at the Sharon compound in Alafia Bamin Quarters, Ilesa, Osun State.
Born on September 7, 1933, Ruth Elton moved to Nigeria with her parents in 1937.
She became one of the most recognized and respected foreign missionaries in the country.
A daughter of Sydney Granville Elton (Pa Elton), a key figure in the rise of Pentecostalism in Nigeria, Ruth was deeply committed to her mission of faith, healing and community revival.
Elton, who became a Nigerian citizen after renouncing her British nationality in the 1970s, dedicated much of her life to serving the people across various parts of Nigeria.
Her missionary work took her to places such as Egbe, Okene, Koton Karfe, and across Kogi, Ondo, Oyo, and Osun States. She was fluent in both Ebira and Yoruba, a testament to her deep integration into the communities she served.
Beyond her religious work, Elton was particularly known for her efforts in reducing infant mortality.
She worked tirelessly to combat the high rates of newborn deaths, especially in Okene, Kogi State, which she attributed to poor healthcare practices and lack of hygiene awareness.
She once shared that force-feeding babies and inadequate care were significant contributors to these challenges and she made it her mission to educate local communities on better healthcare practices.
Though she never married, Ruth Elton saw her lifelong mission as one of generational impact, marking her legacy not only in faith but in health reforms that have saved countless lives.
In recent years, despite Nigeria’s political and social struggles, Elton held firm to her father’s prophesy that while the nation might currently be known for its challenges, a new era would dawn in which Nigeria would be recognized globally for righteousness and prosperity.
