Adebayo Faleti

Adebayo Faleti
Born	(1930-12-26) 26 December 1930 Oyo, Nigeria
Nationality	Nigerian
Ethnicity	Yoruba
Citizenship	Nigerian
Alma mater	University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Occupation	Actor, Poet, Writer

Adebayo Faleti (born 26 December 1930) is a well-known Nigerian poet, 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).^[1] 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.^[1] He has received many awards, both locally and internationally. His awards include the national honour, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)^[2] the Festival of Arts award with Eda Ko L’aropin (1995) and the Afro-Hollywood Award for Outstanding Performance in Arts (2002).^[3]

Early Life and education

Alagba Faleti was born in Agbooye, Oyo State.^[2] Although he was born in Oyo State, he 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. Alagba Faleti since an early age has always had a passion for drama and wanted to pursue his dream. Unfortunately, his parents could not fund his education to support his dreams due to the lack of income, so he decided to put his primary education on hold. In order to further pursue his dreams, he then gathered a couple of interested colleagues and started his very own successful theatre group, named Oyo Youth Operatic Society (founded in 1949). Alagba Faleti later found his way back to school by getting a job in a primary school in which he worked for six years, to raise enough funds for his secondary school with the financial support of his father.^[4] 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.^[3]

Career

Alagba Faleti has produced a number of Yoruba folklore length plays. He has also acted, produced and written several popular Yoruba plays. Alagba Faleti is also known for his famous poems he has published. He was a teacher at Ife Odan which is located near Ejibo Town.^[2] He was also the General Manager of Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) which is also known as Radio OYO, Ibadan.^[2] In 1959, he once worked at Western Nigerian Television (WNTV), now known as NTA Ibadan, as a Film Editor and a Librarian.^[2]

Personal life

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).

Work

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).^[5][6]

References