Sunday, 1 May 2016

Adebayo Faleti: The Great Yoruba Icon


Adebayo Faleti was born on the 26 December,1930. He is a well-
known Nigerian poet , journalist, writer and actor . He
is also known for being a successful Yoruba translator,
a broadcaster, TV exponent and a pioneer of the first
television station in Africa, Western Nigeria Television
(WNTV).

In 1966, 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. Later on in 1971, he attended the Radio
Netherlands Training Center in Hilversum, Holland in
1971 and received a certificate in Television
Production.

He was also responsible for translating
Nigeria's National Anthem from English to Yoruba.
Faleti also translated speeches being made by Military
President of Nigeria, Ibrahim Babangida and Chief
Ernest Shonekan , Head of National Interim
Government of Nigeria, from English to Yoruba. He
has successfully published a dictionary that contains
the formal or official use of Yoruba names.  He has
received many awards, both locally and
internationally. His awards include the national
honour, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)  the
Festival of Arts award with Eda Ko L’aropin (1995) and
the Afro-Hollywood Award for Outstanding
Performance in Arts (2002).

Yoruba translated National Anthem by Alagba Adebayo Faleti:

Dide eyin ara .
Wa je-pe Naijiria,
ka fife sin 'lewa
pelu okun ati 'gbagbo
Ki ise awon akoni wa ko ma se ja sa-san,
ka sin tokan-tara
ile tominira wa,
alafia so-dokan.

Arise, O compatriots
Nigeria's call obey
To serve our fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labour of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom
Peace and unity.

Alagba Adebayo Faleti 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.

Alagba Faleti was known to have three wives, he now
only has two. His first and legally married wife is Mrs.
Moteniola Faleti. His current wife that is with him
right now is Mrs. Olubunmi Faleti. Alagba Faleti had up
to 15 children. His first child is Mrs. Adeboola
Orunsolu (Née Faleti).

He has acted, written, and produced a number of
movies which include; Thunderbolt: Magun (2001),
Afonja (1 & 2) (2002), Basorun Gaa (2004), and Sawo-
Segeri (2005).

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