I’m dumping acting for sowing seed – Clarion Chukwurah

Most people don’t know that Clarion Chukwura has been in the entertainment industry for quite some time, but after about 33 years in the industry the popular Nollywood actress seems to have been out of the limelight for a while. Saturday Vanguard caught up with her today and had a few questions to ask. Excerpts of the interview:

 What have you been doing in the last few months?

I have been working on my pet project which is Clarion Chukwurah Initiative. I found out that we needed to embark on leadership development training for the younger ones in secondary schools.

The impression and idea the youths have about government and leadership is pitiable. My initiative is aimed at re-orientating Nigerian youths with the view of making them see that leadership positions is not about going into government to make money but service to the people.

We intend to change their mentality so that they will be able to see hard work, service to the people and patriotism as what should define them. We are involving international agencies like the USAID, the British Council and the UN Information Centre.

We are also getting resource persons from these international agencies to teach the youths the beauty of democracy and let them know the challenges of democracy and accountability in government with good example from United States of America and other parts of the world. We are also getting resource persons from Canada and France. It is a four-week leadership training workshop. In meeting our program targets from Nigeria, to Cameroon, we partner with State Governments, Corporate Bodies and Conscientious individuals.

You also went into a fashion label, why are you diversifying?

Clarion Chukwurah Initiative did not just start today. It started in 1999 and we are known in countries like Cameroon, UK, Canada and other parts of the world. The project held symposiums, on education, parenting, vocational training and career choice selections.

What painful experience of yours would you recollect while acting or on location?

I don’t really have a particular one, but I had great experiences working on Iye-Moja, Things Fall Apart in England which was a stage play, “Money Power” Owolagba, Oduduwa which was a great challenge. It was a great historical mother of the Yoruba race and there are some nasty ones.

Are you also thinking about picking a role in Hollywood or outside the chores of this country?

I am not. I am not thinking about that. Each person has his own focus. After thirty-three years in the industry, my focus is about sowing seed, and doing something that will leave my feet on the sand of time and helping to move this country forward; to develop a new generation of Nigerians who will respect African values and take pride in the Nigerian nation.That is my priority.

How do you relax?

I see movies, I read and sometimes I travel. I go on vacation to relax.