Clarion Chukwurah: Single but not searching

Constantly hailed as one of the leading lights of the Nigerian motion picture industry, Clarion Chukwurah, has no doubt paid her dues as a seasoned and tested actress.

In a very successful career spanning over two decades, she has traversed the stage, television and the movies, to the delight of her teeming fans and critics within and beyond our shores.
The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Osun State graduate of Dramatic Arts, is also a passionate child rights activist, with a mission to impact positively on the children and youths, using entertainment as an advocacy tool.

Chukwurah, a mother of two, is lobbying the government to institutionalise an annual grant that would cater for Nigeria's abandoned children through her Help line Project.
In an exclusive encounter with Saturday Sun, she told us the story of her life, failed relationships and the pains and set back that come with stardom
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Children's colours of innocence?
The Colours of Innocence project is a series of promotional productions designed to lobby the federal and states governments to improve the standard of living of the less privileged in our society. These productions will be bringing into every Nigerian home those innocent ones who due to no fault of theirs are rejected, abandoned and totally forgotten. Even though they are disadvantaged, we see myriad of colours and, in their helplessness, our hearts go out to them a lot. Prior to this, I had already set up a community-based theatre group in 1998. In 1999, I introduced a TV Network programme on parenting. The former was initiated for the promotion of youth education and entertainment initiatives. In 2000, we did the Educational Malpractice Symposium and in 2001.We did the HIV/Youth Prostitution documentary.

That same year, the Clarion Chukwurah Help line Project, which is targetted at promoting events that would benefit the less privileged ones and homes. The help line project gave birth to Colours of Innocence last year. And for five years running, my help line project had been organising Xmas parties for the less privileged homes.

In the course of realising the dream of this project, I will present a bill on the less Privileged Care Homes Annual Grant, which I'm optimistic that they will pass.

Need to reach out
I have never been a victim or had an experience while growing up. Deep down, I just have this burden and it has always been a part of me to reach out to people, especially the less privileged ones. It also astonishes me when I reach out to people for assistance and they don't reason the way I do. That is why I say that my values are different from that of most people.

Let me quickly add that the Star Trick is going to be an annual thing and we must strive to visit at least, four less privileged homes every year.

Involving the government
No, I can only use my contact in high places to lobby for the state and Federal Government to institutionalise an annual grant for the less privileged homes. Setting up just one home is just like a drop in the ocean. It might take time, but I am optimistic the bill would definitely sail through.

Diversifying into clothing
Actually, the dream has been on for long and the idea. It is not for people to know. It is Clarion Chukwurah's idea called SHADE.
The original plan was to have my own range of body products but extensive feasibility studies showed I would loose massively from the imitators. We eventually settled for the shirts because we wanted something that is home based. In case, you are wondering why Shade, its my Yoruba name.

Coping with the challenges
Well, my career began from the stage and TV, later celluloid and then the home video. It actually started from Ibadan, Oyo State to Lagos, England and other parts of the world. Sincerely, it's not been easy; the greater part of the disappointment has come from the slow pace of the growth of the industry.
Then, the misconception that people also have about entertainers and also the lack of economic empowerment in the areas of the fees we earn. Though, it has not been easy but by and large I have had, a good outing as an actress.

Secret of my success
Let me start by saying that being focused has remained my first secret. You must know where you are going and be focused, you also need determination and resilience and also persevere by enduring long suffering. Mind you, winners take all, quitters take nothing. Also, have it at the back of your mind that its never going to be a bed of roses, even if it becomes, let it be a pleasant surprise. Aside being part of my secrets, I want the above message to also serve as advice to all the up and coming acts out there.
My family's love and support is another great secret of my success. Unknown to many, I have a very strong and close-knit family behind me.

Single again, mum
I'm still Miss Clarion Chukwurah, because I have gone back to my single status. Does that mean you are done with the marriage institution, based on the failed attempts?
Sincerely, I just want to remain single for now…

So, how are you coping with life as a single actress and mum?
The length of time I have been single is more than the length of time I have been married. And it's not a big deal.

Your failed marriages, do they make you feel bad, do you also regret those sad episodes of your life sometimes?
Regret? Regret is a very strong word, some times; felt it would have been nicer or different.

Currently, is there a Romeo in your life?
Agreed, I'm still single, but with the way I am glowing, do I look like someone who is searching? I'm single because I want that aspect under wraps. Right now, there is nothing like marriage on my agenda. Mind you, being single does not mean I'm searching. I'm not.

Since you have tested marriage twice, what kind of a man would appeal to you now, based on your current single status?
I just want a friend, someone who can be my friend.

The two men in your previous marriages, were they not friendly enough?
There is more to it when you say a man is your friend.

But how did your family react to the shocking news of your two crashed marriages?
Point of correction, I was legally married just once, the other one you are referring to never sailed through. My family is my strength and we have been together right from the beginning. They always share in my pains and happiness. They also praise and scold me when necessary.

Speaking from your heart of hearts, has the game of love been fair to you?
From my heart of hearts, my own perception of love is very un-Nigerian and that is why I'm having problems. My perception of love is more British than Nigerian, which has never been fair to me.

But does that make you feel bad?
Yeah! Sometimes, it also makes me feel that may be, I should spend less time here. Continued    Source: Azuh Amatus

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