Wikipedia

Desmond Elliot

Desmond Oluwashola Elliot (born 4 February 1974) is a Nigerian actor, director, and politician.[2][3] He was elected as a lawmaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Surulere Constituency, in the 11 April 2015 Nigerian General Elections. Elliot competed to become the ambassador for the Face of Hope Project, a non-profit combatting illiteracy amongst Nigerian youth.

Desmond Elliot
Elliot at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards in Lagos
Lagos State House of Assembly, Surulere constituency 1
Incumbent
Assumed office
11 April 2015
Preceded byKabiru Lawal
Personal details
Born
Desmond Oluwashola Elliot

(1974-02-04) 4 February 1974 (age 50)
Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
Political partyAll Progressives Congress (APC)
SpouseVictoria Elliot[1]
OccupationActor
Film director
Politician

Early life

edit

Elliot was born to a Yoruba father from Olowogbowo in Lagos Island, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, and a mother from Illah in Oshimili North, Delta State, South-South Nigeria.[4] 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.[5]

Career

edit

Elliot was influenced by a friend to become an actor.[5] 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".[6][7][8] In 2008, Elliot co-produced and co-directed the movie "Reloaded" which received 3 nominations at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2009.[9][10][11][12] In 2009 and 2010, He was nominated for the Best Actor category at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[13]

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"[14]

Politics

edit

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.[15] In October 2020, during the End SARS protest, Desmond was heavily criticized[16] for allegedly supporting Anti-Social Media Bill in Nigeria; an allegation he earlier denied when the news first filtered in via social media.[17][18][19] 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"[20] Desmond Elliot is presently seeking a third term as state legislator representing Surulere Constituency 1. Although, his nomination by the party (APC) during his two terms in office came unopposed, he faces strong opposition going into the 2023 general elections, as a host of aspirants (including Honourable Barakat Bakare Akande, the sitting Council leader of Surulere Local Government) have declared intention to also vie for the ticket.

Personal life

edit

Elliot is married and has four children.[11] He is involved in public relations for Globacom.[11][21]

Desmond Elliot celebrated his 15th wedding anniversary with his wife, Victoria Elliot on 26 December 2018.[22]

Filmography

edit
  • Unknown Soja (2024) as Major Ibrahim
  • Ill Fated (directed) (2024) as Femi
  • Switched-Up (2023) as Barrister Yomi Jayesimi
  • Teni's Big Day (directed) (2023)
  • "Stale" (2022) as Abdul
  • " Without Bounds" (2022)
  • Treasury (2022) as Chief Alakija
  • Miss Bamidele's Girls (2022) as Felix
  • Love Castle (2021) as Ayo
  • " Nobody's Ex" (2021) as Ebuka
  • Sweet Melony (2020) as Remi
  • Memory Lane (2020) as Akin
  • Being Annabel (2019) as Maro
  • Crazy People (2018)
  • Esohe (2017) as Johnny Payne
  • Black Val (2016) as Fola
  • Falling (2015 film) (2015)
  • Black Val (2015)[23] as Fola
  • The Department (film) (2015)[24] as Effiong Akpodigha
  • When Love Happens (2014) as Lanre
  • 30 Days in Atlanta (2014) as Okiemute
  • Okon Goes to School
  • Kamara's Tree'' (2013) as Tejan Kamara
  • Finding Mercy 1& 2 ((2013)
  • Kiss and Tell (2011 film) (2011) as Bernard
  • I'll Take My Chances'' (2011)
  • Bursting Out (film) (2010)[25] as Bernard
  • Holding Hope'' (2010)[25]
  • Nollywood Hustlers (2010)[26] as Olumide Sydney Badmus
  • Before the Light (2009)[27]
  • Edikan[27]
  • Uyai (2008)
  • Final Tussle (2008) (V)
  • Guilty Pleasures (2008)[28] as Mr. Okoro
  • Black Night in South America (2007) as Paul
  • A Better Place (2007)
  • Caught-Up (2007)
  • Double Game (2007)
  • Fine Things (2007)
  • Ghetto Queen (2007)
  • Secret Pain (2007) as Kenechukwu
  • Wind of Glory (2007) as Clark
  • A Time to Love (2007) as Hank
  • Yahoo Millionaire (2007) as Jerry
  • Put It on Me (2006)
  • Asunder (2006)
  • Men Who Cheat (2006)
  • Behind the Plot (2006)
  • Divided Attention (2006)
  • Efficacy (2006)
  • Ekaette (2006) as Tony
  • Extreme Measure (2006) ... Festus
  • Final Point (2006)
  • The Greatest Sacrifice (2006)
  • King of the Town (2006)[29]
  • Love Wins (2006) as Austin
  • Married to the Enemy (2006)
  • My Little Secret (2006)
  • My Sister My Love (2006) as Jar
  • Naked Sin (2006)
  • Romeo (2006)
  • Strange Love (2006)
  • Supremacy (2006)
  • Too Late to Claim (2006)
  • Traumatised (2006) as Jide
  • Unbreakable Affair (2006) as Lawrence
  • Up to Me (2006)
  • Without Apology (2006)
  • The Wolves (2006) as Eric
  • Zoza (2006) as Zoza
  • A Night in the Philippines (2005)[30]
  • 2 Face (2005)
  • Behind Closed Doors (2005)
  • The Bet (2005)
  • Broadway (2005)
  • Destiny's Challenge (2005)
  • Flying Without Wings (2005)
  • Fools in Love (2005)
  • Games Women Play (2005)
  • Girls in the Hood (2005)
  • Hold Me Down (2005)
  • It's Juliet or No One (2005)
  • Just Me (2005) as Brume
  • The King's Son (2005)
  • Knowing You (2005)
  • Men Do Cry (2005)
  • My Precious Son (2005) as Ben
  • My Sister My Child (2005)
  • My Sister's Act (2005)
  • Now & Forever (2005)
  • Orange Groove (2005)
  • The Price of Love: Life Is Beautiful (2005)
  • Shackles of Death (2005)
  • Wedding Gift (2005)
  • Wheel of Change (2005)
  • Images in the Mirror (2004) .... Deji[31]
  • Above Love (2004)
  • Atlanta (2004) as Abel
  • Big Pretenders (2004)
  • Cinderella (2004)
  • Danger Signal (2004)
  • Deep Loss (2004)
  • Died to Save (2004)
  • Discord (2004)
  • For Real (2004) as Chris
  • A Kiss from Rose (2004)
  • Lake of Fire (2004) as Brother Emmanuel
  • Life in New York (2004)
  • Magic Moment (2004)[32]
  • Melody of Life (2004) as Martin
  • Missing Angel (2004) as Angel
  • Passion of Mind (2004)
  • Power of Trust (2004)
  • Promise & Fail (2004)
  • True Romance (2004) as Stanley
  • Great Change (2003)
  • Magic Love (2003)
  • My Faithful Friend (2003)
  • Passion & Pain (2003) as Edward
  • Tunnel of Love (2003)
  • Fire Love (2002)
  • Jesu Mushin (2002)
  • Infidelity (2000) as Lawyer
  • Fishers of Men

Television

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "See Nollywood actor Desmond Elliot and his wife Victoria". 27 October 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  2. ^ "Desmond Elliot's Rebound Premieres in America". Lagos, Nigeria: National Daily Newspaper. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  3. ^ Njoku, Benjamin (19 February 2010). "Desmond Elliot for Face of Hope". AllAfrica Global Media. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  4. ^ Olonilua, Ademola (20 September 2014). "From the tube to politics: Desmond Elliot, 9ice, KSB speak on controversies". The Punch Newspaper. The Punch NG. Archived from the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  5. ^ a b Onyekaba, Corne-Best (30 September 2005). "Why I run away from women". Daily Sun. Lagos, Nigeria. Archived from the original on 31 December 2006. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  6. ^ Kerrigan, Finola (2010). Film Marketing (1 ed.). Elsevier Ltd. p. 87. ISBN 978-0-7506-8683-9.
  7. ^ Olukole, Ope (11 September 2010). "My Home Suffers A Lot 'Cos of My Career -Desmond Elliot". Nigerian Tribune. Ibadan, Nigeria. Archived from the original on 17 October 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  8. ^ Clayton, Jonathan (3 April 2010). "Nollywood success puts Nigeria's film industry in regional spotlight". The Times Online. London, UK: Times Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 1 December 2010.[dead link‍]
  9. ^ "AMAA Nominees and Winners 2009". Lagos, Nigeria: Africa Movie Academy Awards. Archived from the original on 5 April 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  10. ^ Mashood, Taofeeq (14 August 2010). "Desmond Elliot, Actor, Producer, Filmmaker…And Politician, Voice of Nollywood". Koko Tv. Lagos, Nigeria: Koko Tv. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  11. ^ a b c "Glo Ambassadors – Desmond Elliot". Globacom. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  12. ^ Njoku, Benjamin (27 November 2009). "Isong, Desmond Elliot, Uche Jombo premiere two movies". The Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  13. ^ "List of Nominees: Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2010". Archived from the original on 26 November 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  14. ^ Benjamin Njoku (19 February 2010). "Desmond Elliot for Face of Hope". AllAfrica Global Media. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  15. ^ "Actor Desmond Elliot wins Parliamentary elections in Nigeria". CitiFMOnline. 13 April 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  16. ^ "Davido, Skales, others blast Desmond Elliot over social media regulation".
  17. ^ "Lagos not developing bill to regulate social media- Desmond Elliot". Punch Newspapers. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  18. ^ "Desmond Elliot Denies Pushing Social Media Regulation". Arise News. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  19. ^ "Lekki Massacre: Desmond Elliot Denies Sponsoring A Bill To Regulate Social Media [Video] | Kanyi Daily News". www.kanyidaily.com. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  20. ^ "Finally, Desmond Elliot bows, apologises for calling Nigerian youths 'children'". Vanguard News. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  21. ^ Osuagwu, Prince (9 October 2009). "Arguments, doubt, surprises as Glo presents N8m, 21 cars to winners in Lagos". The Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  22. ^ Helen, Ajomole (26 December 2018). "Desmond Elliot and wife celebrate 15th wedding anniversary". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Naija.com. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  23. ^ ""Black Val" Toyin Aimakhu, Iyabo Ojo, Dayo Amusa, Desmond Elliott attend premiere". Pulse.ng. Chidumga Izuzu. 15 February 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  24. ^ "'The Department' Watch Osas Ighodaro, OC Ukeje, Majid Michel in trailer". Pulse Nigeria. Chidumga Izuzu. 16 January 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  25. ^ a b Tope Olukole (31 July 2010). "We Want To Make People Cry And Laugh". Nigerian Tribune. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  26. ^ Samuel Olatunji (17 January 2010). "Isong, Jombo, Elliot shoot N20m movie". Daily Sun. Archived from the original on 28 November 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  27. ^ a b "Isong on the march again". AllAfrica Global Media. 13 June 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  28. ^ Francis Addo (8 January 2010). "Desmond Elliot Premieres New Movie in Ghana". Peace FM Online. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  29. ^ "Review of King of The Town". Modern Ghana News. 7 October 2006. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  30. ^ Clemetina Olomu (24 June 2007). "Did the Zeb Ejiro And Ibinabo Love Story in Phillipine [sic] Turn Sour?". AllAfrica Global Media. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  31. ^ Tony Erhariefe (19 March 2005). "Images in the Mirror sets to rule market". Daily Sun. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  32. ^ "My Wife and My Kids are My World – Desmond Elliot". GhanaWeb. 30 January 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  33. ^ a b c "I Eat Right To Keep Fit- Desmond Elliot". Peace FM Online. 4 October 2010. Archived from the original on 7 October 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Desmond_Elliot&oldid=1259116324"