16th April, 2020
Mrs Francesca Yetunde Emmanuel and Professor Akin Euba, two cultural giants have died.
They died several days apart this month.
While Francesca Emmanuel, 86, died on 11 April, Euba died on 14 April.
He was 84 years old.
Francesca, nee Pereira, was appointed the first female Permanent Secretary in the Federal Public Service of Nigeria in July 1975.
She was a standout performer in all the ministries where she served.
More impressively, she stood out on stage, acting in many plays directed by Wole Soyinka.
She was also a gifted singer.
She had her secondary education in Holy Child College, Lagos.
Thereafter, she went to the University of Ibadan.
At UI, she earned a B.A. in Geography.
In 1964 she got married to Dr Leonard Abosede Emmanuel, an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.
He later wrote the award winning book, ”Ifa Festival.”
Muyiwa, a son, is the only product of their married life.
Francesca won many awards. One of them was Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON.
A book titled ”A Woman’s Steady Strides” by Dr Ogochukwu Promise is a very comprehensive account of her very rich life.
Professor Akin Euba, was also born in Lagos 84 years ago.
He attended Trinity College of music, London, where he studied composition.
He later went to the University of California, where he obtained a B.A. and M.A. in Music.
In 1974, he earned a PhD in Ethnomusicology at the University of Ghana in Legon.
He later worked as professor of music at the University of Lagos, University of Ife, and University of Bayreuth.
He was also a music professor at University of Pittsburgh and University of Cambridge.
His works include ”Chaka: An Opera in Two Chants,” ”Olurounbi,” and ”Scenes from Traditional Life”.