Idowu Philips

Not to be confused with Phillips Idowu.
Idowu Philips
Born16 October 1942 (1942-10-16) (age 82)
Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria.
NationalityNigerian
Other namesIya Rainbow
CitizenshipNigerian
Occupation(s)Healthcare 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]

Filmography

  • 1990 - Yemi My Love
  • 1994? - Abortion: A Yoruba Story
  • 1994? - Binuseri
  • 1994? - Ekundayo
  • 1994- Esan-nbo
  • 1994- Isedale (Tradition)
  • 1995- Adegbesan
  • 1995? - Agbelebu
  • 1995- At Last (Ni Igbeyin)
  • 1995- Ayo the Queen
  • 1995? - Boseyekori
  • 1995- Doctor
  • 1995- Dr Brown
  • 1995- Eni Bi Okan
  • 1995- Eran Iya (Scape Goat)
  • 1995? - Ewo-Lewo
  • 1995- Gogongo (Wind Pipe)
  • 1996- Agbekele
  • 1996- Anifowose
  • 1996- Binta My Daughter
  • 1996- Ofin (Law)
  • 1997- Adopted Child (Omo Agbato)
  • 1997- Awofele
  • 1997- Back to Africa
  • 1997- Broken Melody (Ipinya)
  • 1997- Double Marriage
  • 1997? - Fake Dollars
  • 1997- Ha! Obin Rin
  • 1998? - Ano (In-Law)
  • 1998? - The Blackmarket (Oja Okunrun)
  • 1998? - Emi-Kan ₦1000.00
  • 1998? - Eree Ife (Wages of Love)
  • 1998? - Ikilo
  • 1998? - Odidandan (It's Compulsory)
  • 1998- Oju Mewa
  • 1998? - Temidayo
  • 2000- Lagidigba
  • 2002- Jesu Mushin
  • 2002- Irepodun - as Iya Kike
  • 2002- Eyin Ogongo
  • 2003- N150 Million
  • 2003- Ìfé òtító
  • 2003- Fila Daddy
  • 2003- Arewa okunrin
  • 2003- Omo oku òrun
  • 2003- Okun ife
  • 2004- Okun ife 2
  • 2004- Okan soso
  • 2004- Okan soso 2
  • 2004- Ògìdán
  • 2004- Ògìdán 2
  • 2005? - Okinnikange
  • 2006- Abeni
  • 2006- Odun baku - as Iya Ijo
  • 2006- Mewa n sele
  • 2006- Èebúdolá tèmi - as Abebi
  • 2006- Agbefo - as Mama Kolapo
  • 2006- Agbefo 2
  • 2007- Orita Ipinya
  • 2007- Olugbare
  • 2007- Olóri
  • 2007- Maku
  • 2007- Kootu olohun
  • 2007- Kilebi olorun
  • 2008- Taiwo Taiwo
  • 2008- Taiwo Taiwo 2
  • 2008- Itakun ola
  • 2008- Ìkúnlè kèsán
  • 2008- Ikilo agba
  • 2008- Igba ewa
  • 2008- Aje metta - as Mama Olakanmi
  • 2008- Aje metta 2
  • 2009- Ìpèsè
  • 2009- Ìdàmu eléwòn
  • 2009- Elewon - as Iya Yomi
  • 2009- Akoto olokada - as Iya Kunle
  • 2009- Akoto olokada 2
  • 2010- Edaa - as Mama Bolaji
  • 2018- Oga Bolaji - as Mama Bolaji
  • 2019- Sugar Rush
  • 2021- Becoming Abi
  • 2022- Madami - as Tolani's Mother

References

  1. ^ a b c "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". The Vanguard. November 21, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  4. ^ "Mama Rainbow adopts Lateef Adedimeji on 36th birthday". thenationonlineng.net. 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 News. 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 News. 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 - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper. Archived from the original on 20 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  11. ^ "7 Things To Know About Iya Rainbow". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 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.