Alagba Adebayo Faleti Passes On

The Yoruba Icon, poet, journalist, Actor and writer, Alagba Adebayo Faleti died in his home at Orogun area, Ibadan on Sunday 23^rd July, 2017. Recollecting last moment before his death, his son, Adeniyi Faleti, said Alagba died after premonition talks held between him and relatives surrounded him including Adeniyi; he took pap and bath upon his request and went to his ancestors.  

Alagba Faleti died at age of 86.  Adebayo Faleti was born in Agbo-Oye, Oyo State, on 26^th December, 1930, though lived in Obananko, Kuranga, near Oyo State. He is the first son of his father, Joseph Akanbi Faleti and the only child of his mother, Durowade Ayinke Faleti.

From an early age Alagba Faleti always had a passion for drama. He was also known as a Yoruba translator, a broadcaster, TV exponent 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 attended the University of Dakar in Senegal and obtained a Certificate of proficiency in French Language and Civilization. Two years later, he graduated from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, with an honours degree in English. In 1971, he attended the Radio Netherlands Training Center in Hilversum, the Netherlands, and received a certificate in Television Production.

Faleti has written, produced and acted in several popular Yoruba plays. He is also known for his poems. He has acted, written, and produced a number of movies, which include: Thunderbolt: Magun (2001), Afonja (1 & 2) (2002), Basorun Gaa (2004), and Sawo-Sogberi (2005).

He was a teacher at Ife Odan, located near Ejigbo Town. He was also the General Manager of Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), 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.

Faleti was succeeded by two out of three wives. His first and legally married wife is Mrs. Moteniola Faleti. His current wife is Mrs. Olubunmi Faleti. Alagba Faleti had up to 15 children. His first child is Mrs. Adeboola Orunsolu (née Faleti).

May his rest in perfect peace.