Nigerian actress Margaret Olayinka, popularly known as Iya Gbonkan, has received an impressive donation of nearly N5 million after making a heartfelt plea for a car.
The 64-year-old actress, who relies on buses for transportation despite her decades-long acting career, appealed to her fans to support her while she is still alive.
“I have been acting for decades yet I don’t have a car. I jump on buses every day. If I die now, you will kill a cow. I need a car from my fans,” she expressed.
Recently, a cleric named Gabriel Agbala visited Iya Gbonkan at her residence in Osogbo and used his Facebook page to solicit financial support from people worldwide.
As of now, approximately N4.6 million has been donated to help her fulfill her dream of owning a car and a house, with N4.1 million designated for her housing project and N500,000 for the car.
In a video, an immensely grateful Olayinka can be seen expressing her appreciation and praying for everyone who contributed.
“I’m very grateful. I don’t have any power, but you are the people supporting me. You will not be tired of my matter. You will never know pain,” she said.
“You will not go blind, you will not go deaf. You will not suffer over your children, and you will always have money to spend.”
Olayinka, mentored by the late movie producer Duro Ladipo during her initial training, earned her nickname Iya Gbonkan due to her distinct physical appearance with large, bulging eyes.
She gained prominence in the early 1970s through her appearances in Ifa Olokun’s television series ‘Pa Yemi Elebu’bon.’
Since then, she has featured in numerous Nollywood films, including ‘Aje Meta,’ ‘Jenifa,’ and ‘Ese Oro,’ among others.
