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.
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