One of Nollywood's most respected icons, forefather, custodian of Yoruba culture and traditions, Pa Adebayo Faleti is dead.
He reportedly passed on yesterday at the University College Hospital Ibadan.
He was a poet, journalist, writer, actor ,a Yoruba translator and a pioneer of the first television station in Africa, Western Nigeria Television (WNTV).
He was responsible for translating Nigeria’s National Anthem from English to Yoruba. He also translated speeches being made by the military president of Nigeria Ibrahim Babangida and Chief Ernest Shonekan, Head of National Interim Government of Nigeria, from English to Yoruba. Faleti published a dictionary containing the formal or official use of Yoruba names.
He starred in countless films often showing off his impressive knowledge of the Yoruba language and its traditions.
His work earned him so many awards, both locally and internationally, including the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) the Afro-Hollywood Award for Outstanding Performance in Arts (2002) amongst many other accolades.
He was aged 87
May he rest in peace!
