Adebayo Faleti, Veteran actor & Broadcaster Dies At 86

Pa Adebayo Faleti, veteran actor and broadcaster, has died .

He was said to have had his last breath at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, around 6am on Sunday.

The poet died aged 86.

The deceased was a foremost Yoruba translator and pioneer of the first television station in Africa, Western Nigeria Television (WNTV), later known as the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

He translated the national anthem from English to Yoruba and also translated speeches by former military President Ibrahim Babangida and Ernest Shonekan, head of national interim government.

He was born in Agbo-Oye, Oyo state, but lived in Obananko, Kuranga, near Oyo town.

He was an old students of Ibadan Boys High School, Oke Bola, Ibadan.

Back in 2014 when he was reported dead, the thespian said: “I am alive. I am alive. Long life will be my lot”.

Faleti has acted, wrote and produced a number of movies including Saworide, Magun, Afonja, Basorun Gaa and Sawo-Segeri.

He also published a dictionary containing the formal or official use of Yoruba names.

A recipient of many awards, both locally and internationally, including the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), Faleti also received the Festival of Arts award with Eda Ko L’aropin and the Afro-Hollywood Award for Outstanding Performance in Arts.

He was survived by wife and many children and grandchildren.