Faleti: A patriot gone, say Osinbajo, Tinubu

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has commiserated with the family of ace actor, broadcaster, journalist and multi-lingual translator, Adebayo Faleti, who died at his Ibadan, Oyo State residence.
The acting president, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, in Abuja on Friday, also condoled with the Oyo State Government and the Nigerian literary community.
Osinbajo also condoled with the movie industry and all the media houses where Faleti served variously as a broadcaster, dramatist, scriptwriter, poet and translator.
He said the deceased deployed his time and skills in the service of the nation through the creation of patriotic narratives on the tube and interpretation of speeches of presidents and heads of governments to reach a wider audience.
The acting president, who extolled the multi-talented actor, recalled that the late thespian found his passion at an early age and worked against all the odds to acquire relevant knowledge and expertise.
He said Faleti, who he described as a patriot, bequeathed to the upcoming generations not only an inspiring legacy but also that of focus, discipline and hard work.
He noted that the local and international recognitions that Faleti won in his life time were not only well-deserved, but “proof of his acclaim and patriotism’’.
The acting president prayed that Almighty God would comfort his family, friends and associates and bless the memory of Pa Adebayo Faleti.
Faleti, a celebrated actor and playwright, died on Sunday in his home in Ibadan.
Also, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has spoken glowing of the late poet and actor, 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.
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 peace”.