Actor, author and broadcaster, Adebayo Faleti, dies at 86. He was born on December 26, 1930, the renowned thespian reportedly died in the early hours of Saturday while taking his bath in his Ibadan home.
The late Faleti was a pioneer at the first television station in
Africa, the Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) in Ibadan, Oyo State
capital.
He was a poet and Yoruba translator.
He translated Nigeria’s National Anthem from English to Yoruba and
translated speeches by military President Ibrahim Babangida and Head of
Interim National Government (I
NG), Chief Ernest Shonekan, from English
to Yoruba.
Faleti, a recipient of many awards, including the Order of the Niger (OON), the Festival of Arts award with Eda Ko L’Aropin
and the Afro-Hollywood Award for Outstanding Performance in Arts, has
published a dictionary containing the formal or official use of Yoruba
names.
One of his sons, Adeniyi, said his father observed his morning devotion with his family.The renowned actor reportedly told his family that he had prayed to
God to send someone else to continue his mission on earth because he was
tired and longing for home.
Adeniyi said: “After the morning devotion, I helped him to the
bathroom, as I normally did. He said he wanted God to send someone else
to complete his assignment because he had done all he could do. He also
said he wanted to go home.
“Suddenly, I noticed that he was not breathing again. We took him to
the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, where he was confirmed
dead. We shall miss him greatly.”
Another son of the deceased, Gbemi, said their father led a good
life, adding that the family would remain grateful to God for granting
him a good life.
He said: “He reached the peak of his career in life. As an actor, he
was celebrated; as an administrator, he headed the Broadcasting
Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) and the Oyo State office of Mass
Mobilisation for Self-Reliance, Social Justice, and Economic Recovery
(MAMSER). He fitted into every good role a father and a friend could
play. He was caring and loved by all.
We are sad about his demise, but
we are grateful for a fulfilled life he lived. He is survived by
children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. That is a grace anyone
should be thankful for.”
Faleti’s first son, Ayoola, said he spoke with his father three days
ago and that he was on his way home when he was told that his father had
passed on.
He said: “In his usual attitude, he called me three days ago and we
discussed like father and son.
After I received a call this morning from
my brother concerning the state of his health, I hit the road to come
home and see him. But I did not see him alive as he had died before I
got home. He took care of all his children and gave us good education.
We shall all miss him.”
One of the deceased’s wives, Moteniola, said she married him in the 1950s.
She said he was a loving husband who was always concerned about the welfare of the family.
Mrs Faleti 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.”
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