When it comes to old Nollywood realness, we all know that the women were the ones who came on the scene and served hard. We’ve decided to take a week to honour seven legendary actresses who still impact the movie industry decades after their debut.

Today, we honour the resplendent Clarion Chukwura.

Clarion Chukwura (real name: Clara Nneka Oluwatoyin Folashade Chukwurah) is a Nigerian actress and humanitarian. She was born on the 24th of July, 1964 and comes from Anambra state.

She had her nursery school education in Lagos and then attended Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha for secondary education. Knowing that she wanted a career in acting, she proceeded to study Acting and Speech in the Department of Dramatic Arts at the Obafemi Awolowo University.

She began her acting career in 1980 and got her first movie role in 1982’s Money Power, a film by veteran Nigerian filmmaker, Ola Balogun. She gained more recognition when she landed a role on the popular 1984 television soap opera, Mirror in the Sun

. She was the first Nigerian to win the Best Actress award at the 1982 FESPASCO film festival in Burkina Faso.

Chukwura is known for playing rich, wealthy, and flamboyant characters. Since her Nollywood debut in 1984, she has starred in the following movies: Fiery Force, Money Power, Farewell to Babylon, Igbotic Love (LMAO), Forbidden Choice etc.

Chukwurah with her son, Clarence Peters.

Chukwurah has been married three times and is the mother of popular music video director, Clarence Peters whose father is musician, Shina Peters. She met him while they were both filming Money Power. She is the recipient of many acting awards and has been recognised as a peace ambassador by the United Nations for her charity work across Africa.

Here’s to many more years of this legend living her best life.

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