There is no doubt that
Desmond Elliot is one of the most prolific actors in Nollywood. Not only is he
talented on screen, he is also into directing and producing movies. Just
recently, he ventured into politics. Desmond Elliot is planning to run for a seat
in the Lagos State House of Assembly come 2015.
We met him at a location in Lekki where he was shooting his latest movie. In this exclusive interview as our Showtime Celebrity he talks about his career, political ambition and more:
Continue..
What movie are you working on
now?
It’s a movie called ‘Clueless’. It is starring Uru Eke, Joseph
Benjamin, Blossom Chukwujekwu and my humble self
When is it going to be
released?
Maybe before December or by January
When did you get into movie
directing?
I started directing movies about 6 years ago
Which was the first movie you
directed?
It’s called ’Uyai’, it’s an Akwa Ibom film
What has been the biggest movie
you’ve acted since you got into Nollywood?
I think it would be ‘Behind Closed Doors’ ; that was almost 6 years ago
Has directing been more
rewarding than acting?
Not financially, but fulfilling, Yes
What is the highpoint of your
career as a movie director?
You learn every day. I wouldn’t say I’ve gotten to my peak but
you learn every day. Directing means being creative and being creative means
you’ve been doing a lot of thinking. And all that is to be put into the film
that you’re doing. I wouldn’t say I’ve gotten to my peak yet but I know I’m
rising
Any challenges?
A lot; you have challenges with actors, insufficient equipment,
locations, unforeseen circumstances, a lot.
What has been your highest
budget movie in terms of directing?
I can’t tell, maybe ‘Apaye’
What’s your idea of a good
script?
A script that has a story that can be captivating, that the
people can relate with and that can be slightly daring. This is so because
you’re not sure if the people would accept it or not
How has life been since you
went into politics?
It’s been okay, it’s been good, it’s exposed me to seeing more
and the fact that I even want to give back. Out there, the people are not
asking for a perfect turnaround, all they are asking for is something that can
symbolise a change in their lifestyles.
Why did you suddenly go into
politics?
I didn’t suddenly go into politics; politics has always been a
part of me. I’ve been involved in campaigns for some Governors and even the
President. I’ve been on the campaign trail for very long time now. Even though
I have never sought any elective office before I have always had it at back of
my mind as something I would do one day. It is not a surprise at all, it’s a
well-thought out action and I came very prepared. I didn’t just sleep one day
and say okay, it’s time to go into politics
If you were elected into the
Lagos State House of Assembly, what change should people expect from you?
A Lot; First, I’m young, dynamic, very vibrant and fast
thinking. I’ve had lots of links with corporate bodies, private bodies and
nonprofit organizations. Through me I know a lot can be achieved because of my
articulated experience. Just wait and see me in action.
Why Surulere?
That’s my constituency; I think it’s good I face my constituency
for now
Are you going to leave
Nollywood if you get elected?
I can never leave Nollywood, I am only going to help in
propagating and promoting laws that would help to structure the industry and
make it better and improve it from the present situation – that’s it.
Why did the name ‘Olusola’ just
come up from nowhere?
Olusola didn’t just come up; I’m in an industry where we have
names. Desmond is my first name, Elliot is my last name and my middle name is
Sola.
I’m going to a constituency that knows me as Sola so I put it
in; it’s not something I just suddenly developed. Everyone is surprised, we’ve
gone past surprise; question is what do you have to offer? Let’s move on.
Whether I have the name Sola or not, that does not affect my capability to do
work
How do you see some of your
Nollywood colleagues going into politics; do you think anybody can just wake up
one morning and say they want to go into politics without having the potential
in them?s
First, everyone is entitled by law to vote and be voted for.
Secondly, I am maybe not too surprised that many of Nollywood actors in this
dispensation are going into politics. It’s not too far from the fact that there
have been a lot of socio-economic changes that have happened to us in recent
times.
That being as it may, we still must realize the fact that
Nollywood or entertainment as an industry has contributed immensely to the
growth of the Nigerian economy and as such, it is not absurd or strange that
those who have contributed to the growth of the economy should want to partake
in politics to serve. We have a good relationship with our fans which are the
public and the grassroots.
Sometimes people don’t just accept it because they don’t
understand why somebody who is playing make-believe on TV should want to rule
or serve.
At the end of the day, I can’t speak for everybody but what I do
know is everyone is entitled as far as you’re a Nigerian to vote and be voted
for.
Many people believe that
entertainers are getting into politics because of money?
Granted, yes, there’s money in politics but have you asked
yourself one question, is it sand that you use to play politics? The answer is
No. What you’re playing politics with is money. I’m not so much into what
government is going to be giving as allowance, my idea as a fresh mind is how
to harness the resources around me and provide for the people.
Because if I just stick with what government is giving, then I
am just going to be like everybody else. But when I harness resources from both
home and abroad, harness NGOs, harness non-profit organizations, corporate
bodies, private bodies, and bring all into creating social responsibility and
social development in the people, then I know I’m achieving something that has
not been done before.
That is the major difference I’m bringing in; using me and the
platform I have to create a lot and to make so many changes. It’s already
started.
You said you’re into politics
for the youths?
I didn’t say I was there for the youths, I just said I also
represent the youths
Do you have anything special to
offer them?
Oh yes, in my constituency, I want to make it a point of duty
that in the next two years, every youth as long as you’re a Surulere resident,
you’re doing some form of tertiary education. Right now as it stands, we have
already gotten admission for a couple of people at the Open University to
study.
We also have skills acquisition in that same university, we also
have things to offer like nursing abroad. All these are subject to funding
which I intend to have from corporate bodies and see how we can interface.
There’s a lot that could be done which is the reason why I said you need
brighter, fresher, renewable minds that are ready to work.
My plan is to make sure I get people to go learn skills, empower
them by getting them shops to realize these skills, get even the banking sector
into realizing the SMEs, make sure there’s funding, try to get as many people
off the streets as possible
Are you planning to provide
jobs for youths or what?
I’m not a job maker but I can make sure that I provide the
avenue for which they can work. I can influence things when I become a
lawmaker.
Why APC?
It’s the party of change, it’s the party to be in, and it’s the
party to realize every dream. Its manifesto has said we are giving more than a
million jobs to youths; every unemployed youth is entitled to at least N5, 000
a month.
There’s housing and I’m talking genuine housing, low-cost
housing for people, the expansion of Lagos State in terms of housing is one of
the things we’re looking at. There’s so much, not just promises but things you
know they can do.
A simple example is what you see happening in Osun State which
is almost like a blueprint where even children are entitled to lunch; they are
entitled to one meal a day from the government. Those are the kinds of social
welfare we’re talking about, alleviating the problems and the poverty of
people.
This is a party that means change; all I’m asking for is people
should get into this boat and seize this opportunity to be in this party
because it is indeed the party of change. It is diversified in terms of the
people that are members of the party, you couldn’t ask for anything better
Which politician do you admire
or aspire to be like?
I admire Raji Fashola for his administrative effort; I admire
Tinubu for his strong will and resilience, and I also admire the innovative
style of Godswill Akpabio and his energetic mind in nation-building. Those are
the three people that motivate me politically
Some people believe there’s no
difference between acting and politics..?
(Cuts in) There’s a huge difference. Politics is a game, acting
is more real. Politics is a game because you’re dealing with people; it’s a
game of life. Acting deals with a way of life but they are distinct in their
ways, in their approaches
Many people perceive politics
as a dirty game; are they right in your own opinion?
I’ve always felt and I still feel that the Ministry of National
Orientation has failed as regards this. I mean in giving people the right
orientation as regards politics and violence. They have failed in their duty of
sensitizing and giving information to people on how they should conduct
themselves in a political dispensation. The orientation should be a continuous
thing, not just during elections.
If people have been rightly sensitized that violence is not part
of politics, violence would have disappeared in our politics.
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