Desmond Elliot
Desmond Oluwashola Elliot is a Nigerian actor, film director and politician. He was elected as a lawmaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Surulere Constituency in the 11 April 2015 [2015 Nigerians|Nigerian general election|Nigerian General Elections]. Elliot competed to become the ambassador for the Face of Hope Project, a non-profit combatting illiteracy amongst Nigerian youth.
Early life
Elliot was born to a Yoruba father from Olowogbowo in Lagos Island, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria and an Igbo mother from Illah in Oshimili North, Delta State, South-South Nigeria. He received his primary education at Air Force Primary School and later attended St John's College, both in Jos. He studied economics at Lagos State University and graduated in 2003.Career
Elliot was influenced by a friend to become an actor. He started playing roles in soap operas like Everyday People, One Too Much and Saints and Sinners. He is one of Nollywood's leading actors, having appeared in over two hundred films including Men Who Cheat, Yahoo Millionaire and Atlanta. In 2006, he was nominated for the African Movie Academy Award for "Best Actor in a Supporting Role" in the movie "Behind Closed Doors". In 2008, Elliot co-produced and co-directed the movie "Reloaded" which received 3 nominations at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2009. In 2009 and 2010, He was nominated for the Best Actor category at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.Also in 2010, Elliot competed to become the ambassador for the Face of Hope Project, a "volunteer-based non-profit, non-religious, non-political organization established to give hope to the hopeless", in which he will work toward fixing "child illiteracy in Nigeria and Africa at large" should he emerge. In 2014, he was nominated for the African Movie Academy Award for "Best Actor in a Supporting Role" in the movie "Finding Mercy"
Politics
Elliot declared his intentions in September 2014 to run for Lagos State House of Assembly under the All Progressives Congress.He contested and won the Surulere Constituency on the 11th of April, 2015. Nigerian General Elections. In October 2020, during the End SARS protest, Desmond was heavily criticized for allegedly supporting Anti-Social Media Bill in Nigeria; an allegation he earlier denied when the news first filtered in via social media. In a viral video circulating all over the internet, he was seen vehemently criticizing social media users and influencers and stating that if the Nigerian state doesn't stop social media, social media will destroy the Nigerian state. His comments were not taken lightly by Nigerians on social media and thus the popular Nigerian pidgin slang, na Desmond Elliot cause am, meaning It's Desmond Elliot's fault, was born.
He however came out few days later to apologize. He said “I allowed my emotions get the better of me and for this I apologize to everyone my earlier statements may have hurt. Please, understand that even the best of us makes mistakes. This is why, moving forward, I ask that we all try to engage constructively on the issues that affect all of us. I promise to do the same. The pain that I feel for my constituents, the calls for assistance that I continue to get, and the need to mitigate against further destruction and violence will continue to drive my engagements and my work. I thank you all for expressing your views, and in the future, I promise to be more conscious and aware. Together, we will build a better Nigeria"
Desmond Elliot is presently using a third term as state legislator representing Surulere Constituency 1. Although, his nomination by the party during his two terms in office came unopposed, he faced strong opposition going into the 2023 general elections, as a host of aspirants including Honourable Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, the Special Adviser on Housing to the Lagos State Governor and Fuad Kayode Laguda declared intention to also vie for the ticket. Through some form of intra-party horse-trading, he eventually got the ticket, paving way for a third term representativeness.
Personal life
Elliot is married and has four children. He is involved in public relations for Globacom.Desmond Elliot celebrated his 15th wedding anniversary with his wife, Victoria Elliot on 26 December 2018.
Filmography
Unknown Soja as Major IbrahimIll Fated as Femi Switched-Up as Barrister Yomi JayesimiTeni's Big Day Stale as AbdulWithout Bounds Treasury as Chief AlakijaMiss Bamidele's Girls as FelixLove Castle as AyoNobody's Ex as EbukaSweet Melony as RemiMemory Lane as AkinBeing Annabel as MaroCrazy People Esohe as Johnny PayneFalling (2015 film) Black Val as Fola The Department (film) as Effiong AkpodighaWhen Love Happens as Lanre30 Days in Atlanta as OkiemuteOkon Goes to SchoolKamara's Tree as Tejan KamaraFinding Mercy 1 & 2 Kiss and Tell (2011 film) as BernardI'll Take My Chances Bursting Out (film) as BernardHolding Hope Nollywood Hustlers as Olumide Sydney BadmusBefore the Light EdikanUyai Final Tussle Guilty Pleasures as Mr. OkoroBlack Night in South America as PaulA Better Place Caught-Up Double Game Fine Things Ghetto Queen Secret Pain as KenechukwuWind of Glory as ClarkA Time to Love as HankYahoo Millionaire as JerryPut It on Me Asunder Men Who Cheat Behind the Plot Divided Attention Efficacy Ekaette as TonyExtreme Measure ... FestusFinal Point The Greatest Sacrifice King of the Town Love Wins as AustinMarried to the Enemy My Little Secret My Sister My Love as JarNaked Sin Romeo Strange Love Supremacy Too Late to Claim Traumatised as JideUnbreakable Affair as LawrenceUp to Me Without Apology The Wolves as EricZoza as ZozaA Night in the Philippines 2 Face Behind Closed Doors The Bet Broadway Destiny's Challenge Flying Without Wings Fools in Love Games Women Play Girls in the Hood Hold Me Down It's Juliet or No One Just Me as BrumeThe King's Son Knowing You Men Do Cry My Precious Son as BenMy Sister My Child My Sister's Act Now & Forever Orange Groove The Price of Love: Life Is Beautiful Shackles of Death Wedding Gift Wheel of Change Images in the Mirror .... DejiAbove Love Atlanta as AbelBig Pretenders Cinderella Danger Signal Deep Loss Died to Save Discord For Real as ChrisA Kiss from Rose Lake of Fire as Brother EmmanuelLife in New York Magic Moment Melody of Life as MartinMissing Angel as AngelPassion of Mind Power of Trust Promise & Fail True Romance as StanleyGreat Change Magic Love My Faithful Friend Passion & Pain as EdwardTunnel of Love Fire Love Jesu Mushin Infidelity as Lawyer- ''Fishers of Men''