Adebayo Faleti (26 December 1921 – 23 July 2017) was Africa's first newscaster, Africa's first stage play Director, Africa's first film editor and librarian with the first television station in Africa (WNTV/WNBS), Nigeria's first Yoruba presenter on television and radio alike, a Nigerian poet, journalist, writer, Nollywood films director and actor.
He was also known as a Yoruba translator, a broadcaster, TV exponent and pioneer of the first television station in Africa, Western Nigeria Television (WNTV), now known as the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
He was responsible for translating Nigeria's National Anthem from English to Yoruba, his native language.
He also translated speeches being made by former Attorney-General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria - Chief Bola Ige, former military president of Nigeria - General Ibrahim Babangida, former premier of the Western region of Nigeria - Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Head, National Interim Government of Nigeria - Chief Ernest Shonekan, from English to Yoruba.
Faleti has published a dictionary containing the formal or official use of Yoruba names.
He has received many awards, both locally and internationally, including the National Honour Of Officer Of the Order of the Niger (OON), Doctor of Letters (D.Litt), Justice of Peace (JP), Jerusalem Pilgrim (JP).
Adebayo Faleti received the Festival of Arts award with "Eda Ko L’aropin" in 1995 and Afro-Hollywood Award for Outstanding Performance in Arts in the United States (in 2002).
His movie - "Basorun Gaa" also received commendation at Breeze Awards in London as the best epic movie of the year in 2004.
The first ever magazine he wrote for was called Triumph when he was at the University of Ibadan as an undergraduate.
He was also a columnist with the Nigerian Tribune.