Aside from Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther who translated the English Bible into Yoruba, if there was any one who knew more and more than qualified to use ‘Yoruba’ as his middle name, it was Pa Adebayo Faleti.
He knew the beauty, coloration, art, culture, syntax, senmantics and all that is to be known about the Yoruba language.
I came across the name in my high school when we read, ‘Won ro pe were ni’. You had to read and pass exam questions on the book, so you really didnt have a choice,but then i was always fascinated with the use of the accents, tonation, choice of words and descriptions in the book.
It was therefore no surprise that he plied his trade at the first television station in Africa as a Broadcaster who had an excellent command of the Yoruba language. 
He was responsible for a lot of official translations from government including the National Anthem and presidential speeches.
An accomplished poet, writer, actor and producer who wrote an acted in many films especially from the stable of mainframe productions. I had the priviledge of meeting him a few times when he appeared on Yemi Shodimu’s Aranbada on Lagos Television. Humble, respected,respectable, soft spoken and a bundle of talents.
An Officer of the Order of Niger OON, Faleti who published a dictionary of official and unofficial use of Yoruba names is an alumnus of the University of Ibadan, University of Dakar where he got degrees in French and English Languages. He also attended The Radio Netherlands Training Centre, RNTC, Hilversum, The Netherlands, in 1971 where he bagged a certificate in Television Production.
Pa Adebayo Faleti was born on the 26th December, 1930 and died on July 22nd 2017. Adieu, may his soul rest in peace.
ADEBAYO FALETI:THE HISTORIAN JOINS HISTORY!
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About the author
Adetola Kayode
For more than 20 years, Adetola Kayode has trained and worked in the broadcasting world as a writer, reporter, news anchor and presenter. Presently, she plies her trade with Lagos Television, LTV, the foremost state owned Television station in Nigeria.
In the course of that time, her work has made tremendous impact by beaming spotlight on human conditions, thoughts and insightful coverage of the lives of the disadvantaged people across Nigeria.
With her sharp, witty take on the most pressing social issues, she “gives a voice to the voiceless” by engaging authorities at state and national levels.
Outside of broadcasting, she has also been a constant pillar of support to several charities,non-governmental organisations and publications. As an adviser to some of these NGOs, she provides guidance and unpaid communication consulting towards the well-being and education of less privileged people across the country.
Travelling,singing and proofreading gives her joy and satisfaction.
Adetola is a 2016/2017 fellow of the United States of America's Hubert Humphrey Fellowship, an alumnus of the Radio Netherlands Training Centre, RNTC, The Netherlands, The Lagos State University, LASU {MCS} and The Polytechnic, Ibadan {OND/HND Broadcast Major}
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