By Olaoluwakitan Babatunde
AÂ ll Progressives Congress (APC) National Stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has spoken glowing of the late poet and actor, Chief Adebayo Faleti, whom he said he had a close relationship with till he breathed his last.
The late Faleti was a man of many parts, the former Lagos State governor said, describing him as a great poet, celebrated actor, cerebral author, vibrant broadcaster, prolific writer and translator. He said the country would miss dearly.
Chief Faleti passed on quietly in his house on Sunday, July 23, 2017 at the age of 95.
In a statement issued by his Media Office at the weekend, Tinubu said: “I learnt of the death of Chief Adebayo Faleti while I was out of the country. I was deeply saddened by his passing on, though at an advanced age.
“Baba Adebayo Faleti was a true Yoruba man and an illustrious son of Nigeria. He recorded many giant strides. He was an icon in the academic, literary and cultural worlds. He was a man of many parts- poet, actor, author, broadcaster, writer and translator- and in each of these areas he excelled.
“Chief Faleti was a pioneer of the first television station in Africa, the Western Nigeria Television (NWNTV). Many would also remember him as the one who translated the Nigerian National Anthem, as well as many other major speeches, from English to Yoruba.
“What Alagba Faleti did in the cultural field is no less remarkable. He was in the vanguard of the promotion of Yoruba language and propagation of the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba.
“I had developed a close relationship with Baba Faleti since I was governor of Lagos. I kept this relationship with him till he breathed his last. I partnered with him in the production of some of his trophy creative work.
“I commiserate with members of his immediate family; I commiserate with the people of Oyo State, South-west and Nigeria. May his soul rest in peaceâ€.
