Applause as Hotel 1960 inducts Clarion Chukwura into its Hall Of Fame

Clarion with Lasode and Dabo at the event

SHOWBIZPLUSng can authoritatively reveal that it was a night of fun, glamour and glitz as one of Nigeria’s top screen divas, veteran actress and songstress, the ever smiling Clarion Nneka Oluwatoyin Folashade Chukwurah was hosted to a night of tributes by the prestigious Prince of Anthony Hotel, a member of1960 group in the suburb of Anthony Village, Lagos on Saturday, April 5, 2014.

The actress, who started out as a keenly interested teenager in October 1979, has featured in over 85 movies, winning several awards of excellence. Since her debut in the movie industry, the mother of two has remained a scandal free actress, a role model to many up and coming actors and also lover to many fans.

In the word of Gbemi Sijuwade, General Manager of Prince of Anthony, “the Hotel 1960 Group thought it fit to honour Clarion Chukwurah because she has carved a niche for herself in the industry, and it is only worthwhile for us to celebrate her. We look forward to celebrating more stars in the nearest future. She went further to say that, “Clarion is very admirable and she has passion for her job. She is a towering figure in the industry and an icon to reckon with. As part of the hotel’s tribute to her for over 30-years of hard work, the management will have her portrait placed in the hotel’s hall of fame.

Some of Clarion Chukwurah’s colleagues in the industry, Nollywood actors and actresses and personal friends, were in attendance to pay tributes to her. They also gave accolades to the organisers of the event, for deeming it necessary to pay tribute to the ace actress and songstress.

Amongst thos present at the event was, Jibola Dabo, a long standing friend and professional colleague. He described her as a very good friend and colleague of over 10-years. He said, “Clarion is a colleague and personal friend for over 10-years now, I feel really good and appreciate the organisers of this event, she really needs to be celebrated. She is a role model to many in the industry. She is not only an actress but a musician; she has really done well for herself. For those of us who know her very well and who are her colleagues know the quality of her job. We join in appreciating her. He went further to appreciate the organisers’ of the event and urge them to continue in their good work.

Nollywood Actress, Toyin Alausa said, “The organisers have done a very good job, I must say. This is a very good initiative and I will advice others to try and emulate what they have done to honour Clarion. If individuals and groups like the Prince of Anthony Hotel can come together to pay host to veterans like Clarion, I think it will be good for the industry”.

Nollywood diva Thelma Okas, was also at the event to pay tribute to Clarion whom she says is like a mother to her in the industry. “She is a mother, a diva, she is ageless, she is wholesome, and she is a versatile actress who has something to deliver to anyone who watches her. She is someone who actually needs to be celebrated. I am glad the hotel is doing it finally”. She enthused.

The ever smiling mother of two sons, an industrialist, a screen goddess and an award winning actress, said “I am very elated because the Prince of Anthony Hotel thought it wise to put this together to host me ahead of my 35-years on stage, the celebration of my birthday and the launch of my book which comes up later, in the year. It is quite gladdening and I am continuously overwhelmed to know that people love me so much. A lot of organisations are planning to do pre-hosting for me ahead of the main event which comes later in the year. But I must say that the Prince of Anthony Hotel has taken the lead ahead of everybody else. I am happy “. She asserted.

The screen goddess gave reasons why she was out of circulation or some time. “I was away for two years. It is important for an artist no matter what you are doing to take a time off to do other things and gather new experiences, upgrade yourself in training so as to build a new store with which to re-invent yourself, and that is what I have done”.

It is important  to celebrate our  icons who have indeed carved a niche for themselves while still alive and have been good ambassadors of our great country. This is what the Prince of Anthony Hotel an arm of the Hotel 1960 group has done, and in so doing has set the pace for individuals and groups to emulate this singular gesture of celebrating our talents and their feats.