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The remains of the late ace broadcaster, actor, author and poet, Alagba Adebayo Faleti, was on Friday laid to rest in his native home, Agboye Village, Oyo town, Oyo state.
The interment was preceded by a funeral service which held at the First Baptist Church, Oyo. Eminent personalities at the event includes, Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, a retired Archbishop of the Methodist Church, Rt. Rev. Ayo Ladigbolu, Nollywood actors, government functionaries, theatre practitioners, youth groups and traditional leaders among others.
Some of the landmark efforts of the deceased was his service as the pioneer director of the Oyo directorate of the General Ibrahim Babangida’s established Mass Mobilisation for Self Reliance, Social Justice, and Economic Recovery (MAMSER) which later metamorphosed to the present day National Orientation Agency (NOA).
He was also reputed for translating the Nigerian national anthem to Yoruba language and died at the age of 95 at the University College Hospital Ibadan, July 23, 2017.
READ: Dignitaries, scholars ask government to immortalise late Alagba Faleti
Below are quotes from the glowing tributes dignitaries paid to the late cultural icon and elder statesman, whom they described as a worthy ambassador of the Yoruba race.
Mr. Toye Arulogun, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, who represented Governor Abiola Ajimobi
“Baba Faleti was living genius. A man who made impact to his generation. A man who added value to the lives of a lot of people. He was a literary giant, poet, versatile broadcaster, a repository of Yoruba culture. He was a fine gentleman and a rare gift to Oyo State. It is not everybody that makes such impact especially in creative works that he has done”
Mr. Yanju Adegbite, Project Director of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State(BCOS)
“Baba Faleti was a father, mentor, friend. I knew him since 1976 when I got into school. He was a man who valued his name more than riches. He would always run away from anything that could tarnish his name and image, just like Baba Ladigbolu said during the sermon. He has left for us the legacy of integrity, honesty, I pray for the repose of his soul”
Mr. Dele Odule, Yoruba Nollywood actor
“He was a disciplinarian, a courageous person. I have learnt from him a lot of virtues because Baba would always tell you that when the situation is tough, only those who are tougher get going. He believed that when you fail, you should not be disappointed because it only prepares you for better opportunity. He has left enviable legacies for us as actors and actresses. We are going to keep the legacies alive”.