Entertainment
Nollywood needs government’s support to prevent it going into extinction – Iya Rainbow raises alarm
Veteran Nigerian actress, Mrs. Idowu Phillips popularly known as Iya Rainbow, has declared that the only way to prevent the Nigerian film industry from going into extinction is for the government to support actors and actresses with financial aids.
Phillips, who posited that the advent of social media, internet and modern technology has negatively affected the practitioners in the industry, also lamented that it is worrisome that most producers and film makers run at loss after producing home videos, because most of the films have been on the internet even before they are out for sale.
Iya Rainbow, while thanking the organisers for recognising her, appealed to the federal government to “save film industry from going into extinction because of the adverse effects of internet and the social media.”
According to her, “I want the government to support us, to give us money that we can be making use as loans. It is the marketers that are borrowing us money and we don’t get our money back again. You will see a situation when someone spent two million for a film and he get six hundred thousand naira in return because the film has been on the internet before it is even out for sale.
“I appeal to government to support us to avoid this profession going into extinction. I don’t want it to go into extinction. We are begging the government, we are urging them to look at our side. The marketers are the ones giving us money in the past, but we don’t get what we spend on the films now, that is why we don’t get support again. Before a film is out, it is already on the internet.
Speaking on the attitude of young actors and actresses, she maintained that it is only those who are not wise that are showing up their wealth on the internet.
“It is those who are not wise that are showing their wealth on the internet. How can you be showing that you have fifteen million when you don’t have five million. Those who are still exposing their bodies, we are still talking to them at the locations because I don’t like it. I don’t want them to go astray. God said that we should cover our body, why do you have to expose yourself.
“Lack of role models and masters is another issue. In the past, we have masters who train people and many upcoming actors and actresses will be under that person, but now, someone with money will just come without enough training, that is one of those things killing the industry, Iya Rainbow added.
Directors of Gulf Platform, Mr. Olusegun Davids and Mrs. Juliana Afonrinwo while speaking, informed that the organisers decided to celebrate the octogenarian because of her contributions to the theater industry in Nigeria.
“Today, we are kicking off the 77th birthday of Iya Rainbow. We are gather here to appreciate her contributions and that is why we are honoring her as she turns 77 on October 16th.”
Popular Nigerian singer, Adekunle Kosoko, better known as Adekunle Gold, and his wife, Simisola Kosoko, also known as Simi, have welcomed a set of twin babies.
The singer announced the good news via his Snapchat story on Wednesday.
“Asked God for another child and He blessed me double,” Simi wrote.
Although the gender of the babies has not been disclosed, the announcement has since attracted congratulatory messages from fans, colleagues and well-wishers across the entertainment industry.
The development comes months after Simi had hinted at her pregnancy. In December, she shared a video on Instagram, captioned, “From my baby, for my babies,” with the clip showing her baby bump.
The arrival of the twins also comes weeks after Simi featured in a snippet from Adekunle Gold’s recently released music video titled My Love Is the Same.
Adekunle Gold and Simi got married in 2019 after years of friendship and musical collaboration. Both artistes were formerly signed to X3M Music early in their careers and have since remained one of Nigeria’s most celebrated celebrity couples.
The couple welcomed their first child, Adejare Kosoko, fondly called Deja, in May 2020.
Renowned Tungba gospel musician, Dr Yinka Ayefele, has released a new studio album titled Reflections, adding another chapter to his long-standing influence in Nigeria’s gospel music scene.
The album, which was released on Monday, December 22, 2025, blends introspection with praise, as Ayefele reflects on life, faith and gratitude to God, drawing from personal experiences marked by trials, near-tragedies and triumphs.
Announcing the release in a statement, the Group Head of Corporate Affairs, Fresh Nigeria and Yinka Ayefele Limited, Samson Akindele, said the album captures the musician’s deep reflections on life and his renewed commitment to thanksgiving and praise through music.
Musically, Reflections is rooted in Ayefele’s signature Tungba style, featuring energetic drum percussions, rich string arrangements and call-and-response patterns, supported by harmonious backup vocals from the Merry Makers Band.
The album also incorporates diverse elements, including Tungba hymnals and an Arabic praise chant rendered by a budding female talent, Harike Jesu, who additionally delivers a danceable Fuji-inspired track.
According to details of the project, the opening track focuses on Ayefele’s life journey and lessons drawn from past experiences, while subsequent tracks express appreciation to fans and sustain a flow of upbeat, dance-friendly rhythms.
Reflections is available on major digital streaming and download platforms, including Spotify, Boomplay, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Audiomack, YouTube Music, Deezer and Tidal.
The compact disc version is expected to be released in the coming days under the Yinka Ayefele Music label.
Jamaican reggae icon, Jimmy Cliff, is dead. He died on Monday at the age of 81.
His wife, Latifa Chambers, announced the singer’s passing in a statement posted on his official Instagram page.
Chambers said Cliff “crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia,” describing the loss as “profoundly saddening.”
She wrote, “I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists, and coworkers who have shared his journey with him. To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career.”
Cliff, revered as one of reggae’s defining figures and widely regarded as the genre’s most influential artiste after the late Bob Marley, enjoyed a stellar career that spanned more than four decades.
A multi-instrumentalist known for classics such as You Can Get It If You Really Want and The Harder They Come, Cliff blended reggae with folk, soul, ska and rock. His music frequently tackled themes of politics, poverty, injustice and social resistance.
He shot to global prominence following the release of the 1972 film The Harder They Come, in which he starred. The movie, partly inspired by his tough upbringing, played a pivotal role in pushing Jamaican reggae onto the world stage.
Reacting to his death, Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, described Cliff as “a true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world.”
“His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped to shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today,” Holness said.
“Walk good, Jimmy Cliff. Your legacy lives on in every corner of our island and in the hearts of the Jamaican people,” he added.
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