16/10/2024
The Biography
Exactly Today Idowu Philips, popularly known as Iya Rainbow, was born. A veteran Nigerian actress, movie producer, director, and a certified nurse. Her acting career debuted in the 1990s.
Idowu Philips {Mama Rainbow}:
Full name: Idowu Philips
Date of birth: 16th October 1942
Place of birth: Ijebu Ode, Ogun State
Age: 82 Year's Old
Nationality: Nigerian
Ethnicity: Black Marital {Yoruba}
Status: Widowed
Spouse: Late Augustine Ayanfemi Philips
Profession: Actress, Director, Producer, Nurse
Idowu Philips was born on 16 October 1942 at Ijebu Ode, a city in Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria. She attended African Methodist School and Anglican Modern School for primary and secondary education.
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.
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 the Nigerian Film Industry Sir Herbert Ogunde.
She has featured in several Nigerian films, including Apaadi, Eru, and Aje ni iya mi among others). The actress is 82 years old today. She is the daughter of Prophet Jacob Adebanjo Ifemade and Mrs Ifemade.
She has not publicly revealed anything about her childhood and siblings.
Iya Rainbow studied at Ijebu Ode Ogun State for primary and secondary education. After completing her high school education, she enrolled in a nursing course. Late, she graduated as a certified nurse and practiced nursing for 20 years. Idowu worked as a certified nurse in various general hospitals in Nigeria for 20 years.
She would occasionally act in the theatre while still a nurse. After the death of her husband, she quit nursing and ventured into full-time acting.
What was Iya Rainbow age when she quit nursing? She was 45 years when she decided to quit nursing and ventured fully into acting.
Ever since then, she has taken part in several movies both in Yoruba and English. Some of these movies are: 1997 - Back to Africa 2000 - Lagidigba 2002 - Jesu Mushin 2002 - Irepodun 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 2006 - Abeni 2006 - Odun Baku 2006 - Mewa n Sele 2006 - Èebúdolá Tèmi 2006 - Agbefo 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 2008 - Aje Metta 2 2009 - Ìpèsè 2009 - Ìdàmu Eléwòn 2009 - Elewon 2009 - Akoto Olokada 2009 - Akoto Olokada 2 2018 - Oga Bolaji 2019 - Sugar Rush
In 2017, Idowu traveled to Nigeria to feature in and guard a documentary shot by her son Femi Phillip.
The documentary was about Mose Orimolade, the founder of Cherubim and Seraphim.
Idowu has been awarded for her excellent talent.
She is a proud recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the City People Entertainment Awards.
Idowu was married to Augustine Ayanfemi Philips. Augustine worked closely with the late patriarch of the Nigerian Film Industry, Sir Hubert Ogunde.
The duo tied the knot in 1960 and stayed together until Augustine passed away in 1986.
The actress is blessed with five children. Among them are Sola Osborne and Femi Phillips who are in the film industry.
After her husband passed away, she chose not to remarry and opted to focus on taking care of her kids.
Net worth
Mama Rainbow is a certified nurse, movie director, producer, and actress. She has earned several endorsements from various brands such as Airtel.
All these ventures have helped in raising her net worth.
Iya Rainbow is one of the highly respected Nollywood actresses with decades of experience.
She is gifted in interpreting roles in movies and films, and she does it brilliantly. Idowu Philips is still remembered for the roles she played long ago.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MA...!
