Clarion Chukwurah (Clara Nneka Oluwatoyin Chukwurah) was born on Sunday July 24^th 1964 at the University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Lagos to Mr. John & Mrs. Christiana Chukwurah of 14/16 Agard street off Commercial Avenue, Yaba – Lagos /Nigeria, a quiet bungalow with a large garden that grew their own food crops and flowers in the middle class suburbs of Lagos main land.

Her father a well known socialite popularly called J.C. was an accountant and the personnel manager of Nigerian Textiles Mill then known as SUNFLAG, Apapa, Lagos. Her mother was a building contractor and a trader in food provisions. She lived her child hood as an only daughter with four brothers.

She attended Moluka and Lady Lark nursery schools in Yaba, Lagos and All Saints primary school, Montgomery road, Yaba, Lagos. The loss of her father in 1975 when she was aged 11yrs moved her and her brothers to live with her paternal uncle in Aba, Abia State. She attended Queen of our Rosary College (Q.R.C.), Onitsha, Anambra State, Her hometown for her secondary school education. She was listed in the Daily Times as having passed her Common Entrance examination with the highest aggregate thus with the choice to attend a federal government college and she chose Q.R.C. She studied acting and speech at the Department of Dramatic Arts, University of Ife, Ile-Ife.

She did a three weeks refresher speech course in Leeds (North England) in 1997 sponsored by The West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds.

She began acting as a keenly interested teenager in Oct. 1979 having played Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ both school plays while at Q.R.C.

She became a semi-professional actor with the University of Ibadan Performing Company and also joined Tunji Oyelana’s band “The Kenneries” as a back-up vocal. On Jul. 1^st 1980, she left the UPC to further her professional training at the University of Ife on Oct. 1^st 1981. She became a professional actor in 1984 with Lola Fani - Kayode’s soap opera “Mirror In the Sun”, she has in the twenty six year span of her career attended several theatre workshops, theatre business seminars, Script conferences and refresher courses. A deeply talented actor, she acquired skill with training and experience to emerge as one of the best at character and method acting in Africa. A continuous student of history and literature; she is a voracious fan of writers such as Robert Ludlum, Leon Uris and John Grisham. She got her foundational inspiration at age six from Michael Jackson and at eight years old from King Sunday Aladeniyi aka Sunny Ade. Her most interesting past times are long country side drives, sailing, fooling around with her family, reading historical or covert books, watching historical films and listening to R&Bs, Orlando Owoh’s and King Sunny Ade’s oldies.

She lost her mother and only daughter in 1996, she presently lives with her first son Clarence Peters (a graduate of City Varsity Multimedia Film School, Cape Town South Africa) and two younger sons (Robert and Brian) in her Lagos home. She loves Al Pacino and Halle Berry. She loves the company of her brothers, nephews and younger people. She believes in discipline, loyalty and hard work.

Television History

1. Playhouse drama produced by Jumoka Payne – Oct. 1979 (featured as an extra in a crowd scene N.T.V. Ibadan.
2. “Bello’s Way” family series with Wale Ogunyemi and Flora Okodua – Jan. to Jun. 1980 (featured as a daughter Bisi N.T.V. Ibadan)
3. Ijaiye Kurunmi’s “WARS” & Epic TV Movies 1981 (Executive Producer Yemi Farounmbi)
4. “Eloped” and “Boomerang” Playhouse drama - 1981 (with Sam Efe Loco N.T.A. Ibadan)
5. “Koko Close” N.T.A. Ibadan series with Olumide Bakare – 1981  (Featured as Alhaja)
6. “Just a passing phase” by Tada Ogidan – 1983 (with Sam Efe Loco)
7. Lola Fani Kayode’s “Mirror In The Sun” – 1984 to Jan. 2^nd 1986 (N.T.A. Network soap opera)
8. Jimi Odunmosu’s  Television Movie “Fiery Force” – 1986 (With Gbenga Richards)
9. NTA 2 Channel 5 TV Movie “The Ombos” – 1987 (With Toun Oni & Ashley Nwosu, Directed by Clement Diei)
10. Zeb Ejiro’s N.T.A. network soap opera “Ripples” – 1989 to 1990 (with Barbara Soky)
11. Zeb Ejiro’s N.T.A. network soap opera “Broad Street” – 1999 (with Edit Jayne Azu)
12. Zeb Ejiro’s N.T.A. network soap opera “Sweet & Sour” – 2000 (with Alex Osifo Omiagbo)

Celluloid Films

1. Dr Ola Balogun’s “Money Power” <Owolagba> - 1982 (with Sir Shina Peters)
2. Professor Wole Shoyinka’s Nigerian National Film Archives Film “Twisted” – 1982 (Featured as Madame)

 PS: Clarion Chukwurah is listed in the Nigerian Film Corporation’s “History of Film Making in Nigerian” for her contribution to the Nigerian film industry as the first Nigerian actress to win the prestigious Continental Fespa Co Best Actress Award for her role in “Money Power” shot when she was 17 years old in 1982.

Stage Acts History

1.     With Adimula Yoruba traveling Theatre Oct. to Dec. 1979, touring secondary schools through Oyo State as a trainee actor.

2.   With Professor Bode Sowande’s “Odu Themes” as a replacement minor player in October 1979 and a major player in the lead role of “Jolomitutu”, in the published play “Farewell To Babylon” Dec 1979 to Jan 1980

3.   Pioneer Staff/Semi-Professional Actor with resident University of Ibadan Performing Company Dr Bayo Oduneye as artistic director – July 1^st 1980 to Sept. 31^st 1981. 

a.     Played lead character “Tayo Ajao” with Sam Loco Efe, Jumoke Fashola, Toun Oni and Kunle Famoriyo in Wale Ogunyemi’s “The Divorce” at the National Arts Theatre – Aug. to Sept. 1980. Uni-Ibadan Theater, Trenchard Hall Ibadan and The Oduduwa Hall Uni-Ife

b.     Played  “Sikira” in “Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again” Nov. – Dec. 1980 at Oduduwa Hall Ife, Trechard Hall Ibadan, Univerity Of Ilorin Kwara State and Ibadan Polytechnic.

c.      Played the Heroine with Yomi Layinka in Obi Egbuna’s Romantic Political Satire “The Wind Of Change” – Feb. 1981 at Uni-Ibadan theatre and Ibadan Polytechnic.

d.     Played with Yomi Layinka, Jumoke Fashola, Toun Oni and Joke Muyiwa in Professor Femi Osofisan’s political satire “A Restless Run Of Locusts” – April to June 1981 in the heroine role with Jumoke Fashola as a double cast.

e.     Played as Moji in the premiere production at the National Arts Theatre and the Uni-Ife Amphi Theatre in Professor Wole Shoyinka’s “Camwood on the leaves” directed by Kongi with Jimi Solanke and Late Iyabo Jankande – Feb. 7^th to 14^th and Mar. 1982 whilst a student of acting and speech at the Dramatic Arts Department, University Of Ife. Performed in several departmental plays from 1981 to 1983

f.       Played “King Omajuwa the 9^th” in the premiere production of Fred Agbeyegbe’s “The King Must Dance Naked” directed by Jide Ogungbade at The National Arts Theatre – Aug. 23^rd to 30^th 1983, giving a widely acclaimed performance after two months of intensive rehearsals, daily breaking her voice against the ocean waves at 5am to achieve the husky voice of a 30 yr old man when she was yet to be nineteen. Got criticized by Dr Ola Balogun as being too young for the role and stripped to her underwear. Jab Adu praised her energy and the power of her voice.

g.     Played “Madam” in Professor Femi Osofisan’s political play “Mid night Hotel” in an Ayo Oluwasanmi production, early in 1985 at The National Arts Theatre in a three day performance with Ayo Mogaji.

h.     Played three males and one female role simultaneously in the collective artistes production of Biyi Bandele’s British adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s “Things fall apart” at the London International Festival of Theater (LIFT) directed by Chuck Nike, performed at the West Yorkshire Playhouse Leeds and the Royal Court Theatre London’s West End – Apr. to Jun. 1997.

4.  Played “Yemoja” at the highest point of her stage career in Dr Ahmed Yerima’s mythical African goddess based play “Yemoja”, performed at The National Arts Theater – Oct. 1 2001, On a twelve states tour of Mexico for the Cervantino International Festival of Theater – 2001 and at The Republique Du Benin – 2002 (A National Troupe Production) which won gold for Nigeria.

5.  Idemiti (A national Troupe Production) – Jul. to Aug. 2006 

Music History

          Her 1984 demo was produced by Lemmy Jackson at the then Bisola Ologunde (Lagbaja) engineered African Sings Studio and from 1984 to 1986 she ran opening acts at the Lord’s Club Maryland, Lagos for Onyeka Onwenu and Liberian singer Miatta Farnbulleh.

          She had another demo produced by Nkono Telles in 1986. Her Clarion Musical Tour and Fan Club launch took off at the ACE Nite Club, Allen Avenue Ikeja, Lagos on Jul.5^th 1986 in a sold out show with sales of Clarion Posters, T-Shirts and Face Caps.

           Clarion opened her own Executive restaurant & saloon bar “Connexions” at the Wemabod Estate, Ikeja Lagos on Sept. 30^th 1987 & was attended by the cream of showbiz and government dignitaries. It was on NTA news the same night. In Connexions, Clarion performed with a resident band from Oct. 1987 till the summer of 1988.

          She worked on her music for Sony Music with Jide Omidiran from 1989 to 1990. She performed regularly at the Nite Shift Club Ikeja and The Boat Club Apapa Lagos from 1990 t 1994 when she left music.

Project 2008: May 27, 2008, Entertainers' Star Trek For Child Survival

Clarion Chukwurah Helpline Initiative, an ADDE unit unveiled her anual ENTERTAINERS' STAR TREK FOR CHILD SURVIVAL in Lagos. an annual Children's Day Road Show (Visitation and Concert) for the benefit of Nigeria's Less Privileged Children and Youth under a project tagged COLOURS OF INNOCENCE, a series of events and programmes.

"I have come forward with this project that Nigeria's Abandoned babies all over the country may be cared for by the state sufficiently not to beg for alms, that the physically and mentally handicapped may have the right funding for their drugs, clothing and well maintained clean enviroment in thier dormitories to feel like human beings. individual and corporate assistance do so much for thoes in the urban homes but remote rural based homes suffer beyond our imagination."

The event was proudly supported by star artistes lie star actor Emeka Ike, Nigeria's Lady of Songs Christy Essien Igbokwe, Nigeria's number one DJ Jimmy Jatt, Veteran Star Actor Mr Emma Edokpai, Ace Singers Mr Goody Goody, Felix Duke and the Hip Hop star twins D'Angels. Also Blessed waters' Bolanle Ogini, Laredo's Lanre Jimoh, the Iyalode of Gbagura Adunni Bankole and Adefunmi-layo Tejuoso (the Deputy Speaker of The Lagos State House of Assembly.

Watch the video here >> | View Star Trek 2008 Gallery here >>

Project 2007: December 22, 2007, is a date that has gone down my memory lane as one of my happiest days on earth

The entire Helpline Initiative train of myself, my family, my friends and some fans pulled up at the ARROWS OF GOD ORPHANAGE, Ajah, Lagos where we spent a glorious day of boisterous fun with two hundred children and fifty adults in the 2007 Clarion Chukwurah’s HELPLINE INITIATIVE special children XMAS Party.

Watch the video here >> | View the Gallery here >>

African Dance & Drama Ensemble (ADDE)

Recently the project has embarked on a new youth drive for which it seeks sponsorship/funding for it’s effectiveness among young people in Lagos state.

The ADDE/RGX project, using the Arts as a basis employ professionals as skill improvement trainers on nine months contract basis to improve the training of young graduates and secondary school leavers (vocational) residents in Lagos state but drawn from different ethnicities who work as or are encouraged to work as Production Assistant in the Nigerian film Industry, the skills of carpentry to work as set builders for movie and television sets, live and stage performances as well as function independently as self employed and employers of labour in furniture making; the skills of electrical services (electricians), to rig studio, sets and concert lighting as well as function independently as self employed and employers of labour i.e. Electricians and providers of electrical services to homes and offices; the skill of costuming/clothes making (tailoring), regular (beauty)/special effects make-up and hairdressing to provide these services for movies and television, magazines, concerts, social functions and fashion shows as well as exist independently as self employed  and employers of labour in these services; the skill of production and distribution of beauty/cosmetic products e.g. the hair range – Hair Relaxer, Shampoo and Conditioner and to assist their products production quality and expertise including staff employment and organizational structure to meet NAFDAC standards and assist them to procure NAFDAC assessment, approval and license. Thereafter, ADDE using our director, staff and youth employee/trainees will maintain a 36 months supervision of each project to help it attain and ensure it’s smooth running stability before the hands-off agreement.

Clarion Chukwurah seeks funding for the above project founded by her since 1998.

For further information call +234-8033789435 or

contact me directly via email: adde.rgx.helpline@clarionchukwurah.com

PLEASE READ THIS AND REACH OUT A HELPLING HAND WITH YOUR DONATIONS TO YOUR COUNTRY’S UNFPA OFFICE OR THE Fistula Rehabilitation Center - Katsina, SOMETHING WILL MAKE YOU GLAD YOU DID.

TRAUMATIC FISTULA

Traumatic Fistula is ‘an abnormal opening between the reproductive tract of a woman or girl and one or more body cavities or surfaces, caused by sexual violence, usually but not always in conflict and post-conflict settings. It is a result of direct gynaecologic trauma, usually from violent rape, mass rape, including forced insertion of objects such as gun barrels, beer bottles and sticks into a woman’s vagina. The brutal rape can result in genital injury and can lead to the formation of a rupture, of fistula, between a woman’s vagina, her bladder, rectum, or both.

Traumatic fistula, therefore, compounds the psychological trauma, fear and stigma that accompanies rape-with the same risk of unwanted pregnancy, vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, and diminished opportunities to marry, to work or participate in the larger community.

OBSTETRIC FISTULA

Obstetric fistula is a result of obstructed labour without prompt medical intervention. During prolonged labour, the soft tissues of the pelvis are compressed between the descending baby’s head and the mother’s pelvic bone. The lack of blood flow causes tissue to die, creating a hole between the mother’s vagina and bladder (known as a vesicovaginal fistula), or between the vagina and rectum (causing a rectovaginal fistula) or both. The result is leaking of urine and/or faeces.

Women with fistula are unable to control the constant flow of urine and/or faeces that leak from the tear. Affected women are often divorced by their husbands, shunned by their communities, and unable to work or care for their families. The smell of leaking urine or faeces, or both, is constant and humiliating, often driving loved ones away. Left untreated, fistula can lead to chronic medical problems including ulcerations, kidney disease, and nerve damage in the legs. Obstetric fistula occurs disproportionately among impoverished girls and women, especially those living far from medical services, affecting the most powerless members of society.

A simple surgery can normally repair the injury, with success rates as high as 90 per cent for experienced surgeons. The average cost of fistula treatment and post-operative care that will save and give hope to a woman undergoing such torment, pain and shame, is just US $300. Sadly, most women with the condition do not know the treatment is available, or they cannot afford it.

• Money Power - 1982
• Birthmark - 1994
• True Confession - 1995
• Never Again - 1996
• Glamour Girls II - 1996
• Lagidigba - 2000
• Oduduwa I & II - 2000
• Gold Diggers - 2000
• My Own Blood - 2000
• Intimate Stranger - 2000
• Ige Adubi - 2001
• Iya Simbi - 2002
• Gbogbo Irawo - 2002
• Valentino - 2002
• Emergency Wedding - 2002
• True Love - 2002
• Ogidan I & II - 2002
• Fast Cash I & II - 2002
• Hot Love I & II - 2003
• Abuja Connection I & II - 2003
• Midnight Love - 2003
• The Only Son - 2003
• Oh My Son - 2003
• Outsider - 2003
• Selfish Desire I & II - 2003
• Abandoned Son - 2003
• Clean Up - 2003
• Price of Love - 2003
• My Faithful Friend - 2003
• Abela Pupa - 2003
• Egg of Life I & II - 2003
• Abuja Connection III - 2004
• Cry Like Rivers - 2004
• Valentino II - 2004
• Her Majesty - 2004
• Deep Love - 2004
• Power Tussle I & II - 2004
• Danger Signal I & II - 2004
• Sister’s Enemy I & II - 2004
• The Sadist - 2004
• Return of The Princess I & II - 2004
• Celebration of Death I & II - 2005
• Esquires I & II - 2005
• Day of Bondage I & II - 2005
• Nothing for Nothing I, II & III - 2005
• Greatest Weapon I & II - 2005
• In the Closet I & II - 2005
• World of Riches I & II - 2005
• Test of Manhood I & II - 2005
• Goodbye Anotherday I & II - 2005
• Wild Dog I & II - 2005
• Ladies World I & II - 2005
• Everything We Touch I & II - 2005
• Best of The Game - 2006

• Silence of the gods - 2006

• Abuja Top Ladies I, II & III – 2006

• Desperate Women I & II – 2006

• Deep Bondage I & II – 2006

• Roses in the rain – 2006

• Double Tragedy - 2007

• Dry Scorpion - 2007

• Secrets of The Night I & II - 2007

• Blues Kingdom (Cameroun) -2007

• Chest to Chest - 2008

• Plus over 30 unlisted movies…

Awards Obtained

• 2007 - Vice President Caya-Africa International [Children And Youth Assistance] Organization (Cameroun)

• 2007 - Nite Shift Recognition Awards [click 1 & 2 to view clips here >>> 1 & 2]

• 2006 - Patron – Actors Guild of Nigeria (Anambra State Chapter)

• 2006 - Chieftaincy Title – Ada Eji Eje Mba I of Anambra State

• 2005 - Distinguished Alumnus Award (Given by Ife Theatre Legacy of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
• 2003 - AFROHOLLYWOOD AWARDS (In recognition for outstanding contribution to African films, arts and culture in the United Kingdom)
• 2003 - REEL AWARDS (For the Best Actress in Yoruba)
• 2002 - STUDENT UNION AWARDS (For Best English Actress, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife)
• 2001 - THEMA AWARDS (For the Best Supporting Yoruba Actor)
• 2001 - Staring as the main character in Yemoja (played the part of Yemoja herself), the National Troupe of Nigeria won gold at the Cervantino International Festival of Theatre
• 1984 - FESPACO (Won Best Actress in African films produced from 1974 to 1984, for her role in “Money Power” an Ola Balogun film)

Monday, January 9 2008