Our WCW for today is Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama.
Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama is a Nigerian TV and film actress and model. She is well known for her roles in 93 Days (2016), The Wedding Party, The Arbitration(2016), the TV series Gidi Up (2013–present).
She gained recognition at the Toronto International Film Festival and Africa International Film Festival. She is also the latest ambassador for Multichoice’s DSTVExplora, the widest satellite cable network across Africa.
Somkele Iyamah was born in Ika South Area of Delta State, to Andrew and Onyi Iyamah both of Ika (Agbor) origin. She is the third of four children and was introduced to dance and drama by an inspirational teacher, Mrs. Abe while attending Grange School in Lagos.
Somkele holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from McMaster University. She volunteered in several shows for charity at McMaster and modeled during the holidays in Nigeria.
Her career in film has led her to share the screen with Nollywood’s finest directors such as Steve Gukas and Kemi Adetiba. She has also shared screen time with Hollywood veteran, Danny Glover in the biopic, 93 DAYS where she plays one of the surviving doctors who caught Ebola in Nigeria directed by Steve Gukas ,which went on to win several awards and accolades around the globe.
That role won her an ELOY award (best actress of the year), AMVCA nomination for best supporting actress, an AMVCA trailblazer award win, TFAA award, an AMAA nomination and an AFRIFF Jury Award.
Somkele manages the fashion brand, Andrea Iyamah, founded by younger sister Dumebi Iyamah. She is married to Captain Aaron Idhalama, a thought leader and industry professional in the Nigerian aviation sector.