T here 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:
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 non profit 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.
Tags
Entertainment