A veteran actor, broadcaster and poet, Chief Adebayo Faleti died over the weekend at 86. He died at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
Adebayo was one of the pioneer members of staff of the first television station in Africa, Western Nigeria Television (WNTV), as a broadcaster in Yoruba language. He translated Nigeria’s National Anthem from English to Yoruba and published a dictionary containing the formal or official use of Yoruba names.
He translated speeches by military President Ibrahim Babangida and Head of Interim National Government (ING), 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.
The late thespian was well known for his roles in Tunde Kelani’s Thunderbolt and Saworoide.
