Clarion Chukwurah’s Clarion Call at her 30 Years on Stage and Screen

It was an exquisite celebration of an enviable life, memento of a long-lasting memory of excitement for all lovers of fun, a cultural carnival of some sort and a congregation of who is who in the music and movie industry. These are partial descriptions of the three-in-one celebration of the life of a stage and screen icon, Clarion Chukwurah. The well-packaged grandeur which took place at Bolajoko Hall Event Centre, Ikeja Lagos was to commemorate the 30th acting anniversary, 45th birthday celebration and the formal presentation of legacy initiative of Clarion Chukwurah.

Inspired by Late Michael Joseph Jackson
Clarion Chukwurah who was described “as a very good representative of Theatre Arts in Nigeria” by Mrs. Joke Muyiwa Fadirepo, Head of Department of Performing Arts, Olabisi Onabanjo University and “a very good interpreting actress” in the words of Dr. Sumbo Marinho of Zmirage, Lagos, was inspired by the late King of Pop, Michael Joseph Jackson when she was 4. The dream however, came into manifestation at the age of 15 when she passed the audition and became the youngest Semi-professional Actor/Member of the University of Ibadan Performing Company where she played the lead actress alongside Sam Loco Efe, one of the most hilarious Nigerian actors.

Why She is Still Relevant

Clarion in her speech boldly stated that the reason she is still relevant and consistent is because of her children. “They give me confidence”, she said emphatically. The hall became charged with emotion, diluted with a solemn quietness, with all eyes focused straight on the stage when Clarence Peters, the eldest of Clarion’s children approached her mother, went down on his knees like a boy who has come to reconcile with an estranged girlfriend and proudly said “I love you mother.” This was a symbol of loyalty and humility to a mother who has made his son proud through her chosen career.

Clarion’s Clarion Call
To Clarion, the event was more than the celebration of her 30 years in acting; it was a presentation of her initiative – Clarion Chukwurah Initiative, a registered charity organization that raises support for the less-privileged in the society. She had said: “this is different from other Non-Governmental Organisations we have around us because at the initial stage we were doing our own work without soliciting for any support from anybody or group.” She used the opportunity to thank her supporters especially her son, Clarence Peters whose support she disclosed started right from when he was in school. Clarion also made a clarion call to all well-meaning Nigerians to cultivate the habit of extending help to the less-privileged in our society.

What You Missed

The event was beautifully packaged to satisfy the interest of every guest. For those who are lovers of God, Evangelist Toye Okanlawon was on hand to open the ceremony with prayer. For the sake of patriotism and national identity, the National Anthem was sung. For lovers of Fuji music, Pasuma was there with his waist-wriggling damsels who enticed and captivated the guests with their well-lubricated waists and highly-greased joints. (Lord, have mercy. I pitied any woman who didn’t accompany her husband there). For lovers of children, there were children from various orphanages. For lovers of pretty faces, the sexy ushers who were lusciously dressed in red attire were available. For the delights of movie and theatre, Professor Yerima Ahmed of the National Theatre was there and for the lovers of Clarion Chukwurah, everyone was there.