The legendary yoruba Faleti is Gone(Dead)

Adebayo Faleti (26 December 1921 – 23 July 2017) was a Nigerian poet, journalist, writer and actor. He was also known as a Yoruba translator, a broadcaster, TV exponent and a pioneer of the first television station in Africa, Western Nigeria Television (WNTV). He was responsible for translating Nigeria's National Anthem from English to Yoruba. He also translated speeches being made by military president of Nigeria Ibrahim Babangida and Chief Ernest Shonekan, Head of National Interim Government of Nigeria, from English to Yoruba. Faleti published a dictionary containing the formal or official use of Yoruba names. He received many awards, both locally and internationally, including the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) the Festival of Arts award with Eda Ko L’aropin (1995) and the Afro-Hollywood Award for Outstanding Performance in Arts (2002)

The renowned custodian of Yoruba culture and foremost playwright, Chief Adebayo Faleti is dead. He died at the age of 86. According to his son, Adeniyi Faleti, the poet and veteran actor, who translated the National Anthem into Yoruba died in his residence yesterday. Adebayo Faleti: passes on at 86 As if he had premonition of his death, the deceased who featured in films like Saworo Ide, Bashorun Gaa, Efunsetan Aniwura and many more prayed to God some moments before he died that God should send someone to continue his sojourn in this life.

This was disclosed by Adeniyi. He said, “After the morning devotion, I helped him to the bathroom where he said he wanted God to send someone else to come and complete his work because he had done all he could do. He also said that he wanted to go home” After saying this, Adeniyi said; “I noticed that he was not breathing again. We took him to the University College Hospital, Ibadan where he was confirmed dead.” Adebayo Faleti, a veteran broadcaster, before his death, had always been at the forefront of those Yoruba elders who warned that Yoruba language should not be allowed to go into extinction.

 Also speaking on the demise of his father, Mr Ayoola Faleti said; “In his usual attitude, he called me three days ago and we discussed like father and son. ”When I received a call this morning from my brother, I rushed home to see him but I did not see him. He died before I could reach home.” His wife of 50 years, Moteniola also described late Faleti as a man of virtues. She said; “I knew him as a loving husband and I will always remember how well he catered for the family. He prepared the children for a good future by ensuring that they got good education,” said Moteniola.