The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has described the late Faleti as an insightful cultural entertainer. Nigeria and the world of ideas have, in the passing of the renowned poet and actor, lost an institution builder, a social reformer, and one of the most insightful culturalentertainers of the century.
The Alaafin noted that no nation can progress without building an indigenous intellectual community, including entertainers, who have the duty to interpret the past of the nation so that the future can be built on firmer grounds. ”What gave Adebayo Faleti tutelage was that he hailed from a royal family. He was highly successful in his career, as he wrote, produced and acted in several popular Yoruba plays, and is also known for his poems.
He was a teacher at Ife Odan, located near Ejigbo Town. Faleti was also the General Manager of Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, which is also known as Radio OYO, Ibadan. In 1959, he once worked at Western Nigerian Television (WNTV), now known as NTA Ibadan, as a film editor and a librarian”.
Acknowledging some of the deceased’s works, Oba Adeyemi recalled that Adebayo Faleti before his death acted, wrote and produced a number of popular movies, which include Thunderbolt: Magun (2001), Afonja (1 & 2) (2002), BasorunGaa (2004), and Sawo-Segberi(2005). The paramount ruler prayed God to grant eternal rest to the late poet, and granted the family fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed
The minister described the death of renowned author, poet, broadcaster and actor, Pa Adebayo Faleti, as a huge loss to the country’s creative Sector. He said Faleti was a trailblazer and a colossus across many genreswho left an indelible footprint in the Nigerian landscape. In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the MinisterMrSegunAdeyemi, 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. Faleti, a celebrated actor and playwright died on Sunday in his home in Ibadan at the age of 86. Faleti, was a poet, journalist, writer, actor, Yoruba translator, a broadcaster, TV exponent and a pioneer of the first television station in Africa, Western Nigeria Television. He was responsible for translating Nigeria’s national anthem 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) He also received the Festival of Arts award and the Afro-Hollywood Award for Outstanding Performance in Arts in 2002.
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State
Ogun State Governor, Senator IbikunleAmosun has described as sad, the death of veteran broadcaster and actor, Pa Adebayo Faleti. The governor described the deceased as a zealous promoter of culture, noting that his works will always be cherished. Amosun also stated that the poet and writer will be remembered for his contributions to the birth and growth of the Broadcast Industry, particularly the Television.
Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi
Oyo State Governor, Senator AbiolaAjimobi, has condoled with the family, friends and associates of Chief Adebayo Faleti, over the death of the ace broadcaster, writer, poet and actor. In a statement by the governor’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, he 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. “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,” Ajimobi said.
Prof Rasaki Ojo Bakare (Federal University, Oye-Ekiti)
“Alagba Adebayo Faleti poet, playwright, actor, producer, teacher and scholar, you who came for Yoruba language and culture to live, you who taught us to respect what we were created, made to be, you who lived life to the fullest, loved humanity to the fullest, served us to the fullest, and left us better than we met you, good night. Baba keep resting. Awo ire. Thanks for impacting us. The torch you passed to us shall be kept aglow. O digbere, O darinako, O doju ala, o tundokoelebo.”
Prof Ayo Akinwale (University of Ilorin)
Baba Faleti was my mentor in the theatre world as I joined his Alebiosu theatre Company in 1973 under the direction of TubosunOdunsi. He was also my General Manager at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) Radio OYO. He was a gentleman to the core. Rest in peace.”
SONTA President, Prof Sunday Ododo
“Faleit promoted the performing arts and mentored several generations of actors and poets. He will be sorely missed by Nigerians.”
Femi Adedina (Theatre artiste)
“I met him in the secondary school through the play, Basorun Gaa, and his voice on the radio WNBS. After graduation, his many iconic depictions most especially in Teekay Films were inspirational and motivating. As he ascends the ancestor’s ladder, may his soul rest in peace.”
Muyiwa Ademola (Yoruba theatre artiste)
“Erin wo, àjànàkú sun bi oke, ejanla lo ninuibu, àrògìdìgbà lo l’odo. Aporiako ni ejékafidalalé lo gaa raga. Jagun molu lo ogun pin, àyànku dùndún o dúnmó. Faleti lo tèdètèdè, togbón togbón, tìmò tìmò, tòrò tòro. Èèkàn ninu òpómúléró èdè yoruba lóyèyii, afiki Eledumare o so wani. Sun re o Adebayo Faleti.Emi Olumuyiwa omobibi Ademola nsedaro leyin re o” Sleep well baba. He died at 87. An ode to a poet, a playwright, an actor, a critic, a linguist, a filmmaker.I have to do this in the language he cherished most, my mother tongue Yoruba.
Yewande Adekoya Abiodun (Yoruba theatre artiste)
“A legend is gone. Baba wa Adebayo Faleti is gone. You will always remain in our hearts forever sir. Your great works will never be forgotten. Sleep on great one. You have truly made your mark in the sands of time.
Ibrahim Chatta
(Yoruba theatre artiste)
“A hero has fallen! Erin wo! Ajanaku sun bi oke. Adebayo Faleti sun re ooo. Adieu Baba Faleti”
Baba Tee (Yoruba theatre artiste)
“Baba continue to rest in peace! OrisunYorubawa of our time o digba. Baba Adebayo Faleti.”
Source: The Nation’s Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.
