Idowu Philips

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Idowu Philips
Born16 October 1942 (1942-10-16) (age 83)
Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Other nameIya Rainbow
CitizenshipNigerian
OccupationsHealthcare Assistant, film actress
Years active1965-present
Children5[1]

Idowu Philipspronunciation (born 16 October 1942), popularly known as Iya Rainbow, is a Nigerian veteran actress.[2][3][4] She was honoured with the Industry Merit Awards alongside Richard Mofe-Damijo at the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA).[5][6]

Early life and career

Idowu Philips was born on 16 October 1942 at Ijebu Ode, a city in Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria.[7] She attended African Methodist School and Anglican Modern School for her primary and secondary education.[8] Her stage name "Iya Rainbow" stems from "Osumare" (meaning "rainbow" in British English), the name of the theatre group of Sir Hubert Ogunde, who died in 1990.[9] Idowu Philips worked as a healthcare assistant in general hospitals in Nigeria for several years and occasionally acted in theatre. Idowu ventured into full-time acting after the death of her husband - Augustine Ayanfemi Phillips (who worked closely with the late patriarch of Nigerian Film Industry Sir Herbert Ogunde.[1] She has featured in several Nigerian films, including Apaadi, Eru and Aje ni iya mi among others).[10] Idowu has five children.[1]

Endorsement

Idowu Philips is a brand ambassador for Airtel, a telecommunication company.[11] Idowu Philip is also an ambassador for Yotomi Golden Estate, a low cost housing estate project, initiated by the late movie mogul Alade Aromire.[12]

References

  1. "Idowu Phillips, Mama Rainbow, Biography, Profile and Life History". NaijaGists. 1 October 2012. Archived from the original on 26 March 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  2. "My late husband's friend wanted sex-Iya Rainbow". The Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  3. "Veteran actress, Iya Rainbow celebrates 75th birthday and 50 years acting career". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. November 21, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  4. "Mama Rainbow adopts Lateef Adedimeji on 36th birthday". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  5. Onikoyi, Ayo (12 May 2024). "AMVCA 10: Africa Magic celebrates winners of 10th Edition Awards". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  6. Abulude, Samuel (11 May 2024). "AMVCA10: Africa Magic Celebrates 2024 Award Winners". Leadership. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  7. "My father was a prophet –Iya Rainbow". Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper. Archived from the original on 20 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  8. "IDOWU PHILIPS ( IYA RAINBOW )". Modern Ghana. Archived from the original on 2021-11-17. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
  9. "Veteran actress IYA RAINBOW unveils what she wants to leave for posterity". Encomium Magazine. Archived from the original on 20 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  10. "Suitors ran away when they saw my children –Iya Rainbow". The Punch. Archived from the original on 20 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  11. "7 Things To Know About Iya Rainbow". The NET. Lagos, Nigeria. 2019-11-07. Archived from the original on 2021-11-17. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  12. "Iya Rainbow exclusive: 'My late husband used to slap me' | Encomium Magazine". Archived from the original on 2021-11-17. Retrieved 2021-03-31.