Islanders Magazine

Nollywood Actor, Desmond Elliot Veers Into Politics

If the saying, “man by nature is a political animal” is correct, then it is the duty of every citizen according to his best capacities to give validity to his convictions in matters that concern body polity of his nation otherwise one will end up paying the penalties of being governed by the inferiors.

This must have informed the recent incursions of thoroughbred professionals who’re now taking a shot into the political foray since they believe it is not just a matter of the constitutional rights but the need for experts in all fields of human endeavour to make hay while the sun shines.

One of such young, vibrant and dynamic personalities is Desmond Elliot, the multiple award winning movie actor, producer and director of international repute who has signified interest to contribute his quota to the development of his immediate constituency.

The handsome actor recently joined politics and has declared his interest to contest for an elective post, he’s in fact eyeing the State Assembly under the platform of the Lagos ruling party, All Progressives Congress-APC in the forthcoming 2015 elections.

Born Desmond Olushola Elliot, the Economics graduate of the Lagos State University hails from Olowogbowo area of Lagos Island and it is a common knowledge that, his late father, Engr. Emmanuel Bamidele Elliot was a popular Civil Engineer who worked with the then Unipetrol for over 30 years before he established his family roots in Gbaja zone (Ward F3) of Surulere Constituency 1 after his retirement, and they have since lived in Surulere where Desmond spent his formative years till date.

Over the years, the actor has always felt the need to impact on people’s lives by bringing positive change and this is why he established the Desmond Elliot Foundation, a charitable non-government and non-profit making organisation which has worked in partnership with an international organization-WaterAid in various capacities to provide clean and safe water in some communities as well as being a member of the Sickle Cell Foundation where he helps to seek for funds to facilitate the work of the foundation in educating the society on Sickle Cell Anaemia.

Desmond is banking on his long-list of connections which he has enjoyed graciously as a popular artiste both in the corporate and private world, some of which he has had brand endorsements with to capitalize on the relationships through various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Give-Back projects to bring developments to his immediate community, Surulere Constituency 1 thereby not relying so much on the government. 

According to him, ‘the most important priority of any society and its leaders is to eradicate human sufferings, and I believe no average Nigerian should suffer because we’re blessed with enough that should make us comfortable if right leaders are given a chance to manage the resources, and it’s high time we considered the need to empower skilled professionals of repute to take charge of the administration of affairs in our country, the youths should wake up from slumber and stand up to their responsibilities, this is the time for the change we’ve all been clamouring for” he charged.

Amongst his scope of developments which he plans to tackle with his high interactive networks are youths empowerment/employment, sports development initiative, widows’ aid programme, health care for the elderly, health care for nursing mothers and children, enablement of town hall meetings and above all open door/feedback policy which will afford each and everyone in the constituency to have one-on-one with him to discuss various individual challenges.