By Dipo Olowookere
The sum of N5 million has been donated by the Oyo State government as the burial rites of the late actor, broadcaster, cultural icon and elder statesman, Alagba Adebayo Faleti, begins on Tuesday, September 5, 2017.
Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in the state, Mr Toye Arulogun, who donated the money to family of the decased on behalf of the goverbment, explained that the gesture was to enable the family give him a befitting burial.
The actor’s journey home commences with a night of tributes and performances taking place hold at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan by 4pm.
Mr Arulogun stated that the government will provide other necessary logistics as deemed fit towards the burial of the man whose contributions to the exposition and development of Yoruba culture and arts in Oyo state and in Nigeria in general cannot be underestimated.
The Commissioner added that the Commendation Service for Alagba Faleti will hold on Wednesday, September 6 at Salem Baptist Church Yemetu by 12pm while there will be the lying-in-state at his residence on Thursday, September 7, by 8am, lying-in-state at BCOS, Ile Akede by 10am, NTA Ibadan at 11am.
Mr Arulogun said the body of the late Cultural icon leaves for Oyo town for Service of Songs/Christian Wake Keen at First Baptist Church, Isokun, Oyo on Thursday and there will be Artist Night to celebrate Alagba Faleti at Plaza De Haruna, Oyo by 8pm, stressing that the final burial ceremony service will hold on Friday, September 8, 2017 at First Baptist Church, Isokun and Interment holds at Agboye Village, Oyo via Ogbomosho.
He enjoined all stakeholders in theatre arts, culture, broadcasting and Yoruba literature to attend the various events as a befitting mark of honour to pay their last respects to a worthy ambassador of Oyo State.
In his response after the presentation, Mr Ayoola Faleti on behalf of the Alagba Faleti’s family, thanked Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the government for the generous donation and support towards the final journey home of the veteran broadcaster and actor.
He assured that the Faleti family will forever be grateful to the Ajimobi-led administration for this gesture.