Adebayo Faleti, ‘A Repository Of Yoruba Culture And Tradition -Ajimobi

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has condoled with the family, friends and associates of Chief Adebayo Faleti over the death of the ace broadcaster, writer, poet and actor.

Chief Faleti died on Sunday at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan at the age of 86.

In a statement by the governor’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, Ajimobi described the passing away of Chief Faleti as shocking and devastating.

Ajimobi, who said he received the news of Pa Faleti’s death with shock and disbelief, described the deceased as a repository of Yoruba culture and tradition, and a good ambassador of the state.

Ajimobi said, “Even though Baba Faleti died at the ripe age of 86, his passing away is very unfortunate, disheartening and sad. Part of the things that endeared him to my heart was his simple lifestyle, his dislike for material wealth and commitment to the progress of the Yoruba race. Instead of allowing his humble background to serve as a barrier for his career progression, Chief Faleti defied all odds and ensured that he trained himself up to the university level even at a time when education was not too attractive.

Ajimobi expressed the regret that with Chief Faleti’s demise, the state had lost one of its cultural icons who had brought fame and honour to the state through his various activities in broadcasting, publishing and film industry.

He however called on members of his immediate family, friends and associates to celebrate rather than mourn him, having lived a fulfilled life which, he said, was worthy of emulation.

In the same vein, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has also described the death of the renowned author, as a huge loss to the country’s creative Sector.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the minister said Faleti was a trailblazer and a colossus across many genres, who left an indelible footprint in the Nigerian landscape.

The statement was signed by the Mr Segun Adeyemi, the Special Adviser to the Minister.

The minister said generations of authors, poets, broadcasters and actors owe Faleti a debt of gratitude for his dedication, hard work and love for the country.

He commiserated with the family and friends of the departed, as well as all practitioners in the sector.

The minister prayed that God will comfort them and grant repose to the soul of the departed.

As a pioneer staff of the first television station in Africa, Western Nigeria Television, WNTV, he exhibited his dexterity in broadcasting, while he imparted morals in the younger generation through his various books, poems and acting.

It was in recognition of his contributions to the development of Yoruba culture and tradition that the Federal Government conferred on him the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON”

He also received the Festival of Arts award and the Afro-Hollywood Award for Outstanding Performance in Arts in 2002.