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Tag: Desmond Elliot

  • Nollywood star, Desmond Elliot, returns to Lagos Assembly by landslide

    Hon. Desmond Elliot, Nollywood actor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Surulere 1 Constituency of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has been declared the winner of the election.

    Dr. Bolajoko Dixon-Ogbechi of the University of Lagos, the Returning Officer, made the declaration on Sunday at the Surulere Local Government Collation Centre in Lagos.

    A few days to the election, Elliot, who is currently doing a first term at the Assembly, was the subject of a controversy on social media after he commissioned a biofil toilet in his area, with numerous Twitter users pillorying him for celebrating a project they considered ordinary.

    However Elliot emerged winner with 15,357 votes while Benjamin Olasunkanmi, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came second with 3,628 votes.

    “That Desmond Olusola Elliot of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared winner and is returned elected,” Dixon-Ogbechi said.

    Shitta-Bey Oluwarotimi of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) came third with 116 votes; Dawodu Oluwaseyi of Accord Party came fourth with 65 votes, while Makanjuola Olaseni of Youth Party came fifth with 59 votes.

    Dixon-Ogbechi said the total number of registered voters in the constituency was 134,939, while accredited voters were 20,340.

    Valid votes were 19,357, while the total number of rejected votes was 973.

    “The total number of votes cast was 20,330 while the results of six units at Igbaja/Stadium with RA number 06 were cancelled due to over voting. So, the total number of votes cancelled in the affected areas were 4,091,” she said.

  • Desmond Elliot wins Surulere l Lagos State Assembly poll

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Nollywood star, Desmond Elliot, candidate of the All Progressives  Congress (APC), as winner of the Surulere1 state Constituency election in Lagos State.

    The State Constituency Returning Officer, Dr Bolajoko Dixon-Ogbechi from the University of Lagos, made the declaration on Sunday, at the Surulere Local Government Collation Centre in Lagos.

    She said tnat Elliot emerged winner with 15,357 votes, while  Mr Benjamin Olasunkanmi, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came second with 3,628 votes.

    She declared : ”That Desmond Olusola Elliot of APC having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared winner and is returned elected. ”

    According to her, Mr Shitta-Bey Oluwarotimi of Alliance for Democracy (AD) came third with 116 votes, Mr Dawodu Oluwaseyi of  Accord Party came fourth with 65 votes while Mr Makanjuola Olaseni of YP came fifth with 59 votes.

    Dixon-Ogbechi stated that the total number of registered voters in the constituency was 134939, accredited voters was 20340, valid votes – 19357 while the total number of rejected votes was 973.

    “The total number of votes cast is 20330 while the results of six units at Igbaja/ Stadium with RA number 06 were cancelled. They were cancelled due to the issues of over voting.

    ” So, the total number of votes cancelled in the affected areas were
    4091, “she said.(NAN)

  • When ‘boys’ returned home as men!

    Last week, Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, last week returned to his home base in Surulere, Lagos, to a rousing welcome by the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN).

    Surulere, according to Gbajabiamila, has always been the hub for movie and entertainment practitioners who have also commonly been seen as the ‘homeboys’ of Surulere.

    The event was the official opening of the office of the DGN and there was a mild drama as Hon. Gbajabiamila told the movie practitioners that he was proud of them.

    Read also: Gbajabiamila opposes Senate over Onnoghen

    He added that many born and bred young boys from Surulere have gone out there to make it to the top in different spheres of human endeavour. Some of them, he said, were among the members of the film body as directors.

    Just then, Hon. Desmond Elliot, another Surulere born and bred, who made it in Surulere as an actor and later got elected to the Lagos State House of Assembly, arrived at the event to the joy of all.

  • Desmond Elliot to bury dad Wednesday

    Actor turned politician Desmond Elliot has announced burial plans for his dad who died on January 21, 2019.

    According to a poster shared by Elliot who represents Surulere constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly, his father who is also known as ‘Sunny Boy of Texas’ was born on 1930.

    The funeral ceremonies will take place in Lagos on February 5 and 6, 2019.

    Read also: When ‘boys’ returned home as men!

    While a Christian wake will hold on February 5, 2019 in Surulere, there will be a lying-in-state on the morning of February 6, 2019 in Surulere, to be followed by a Christian service at Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo, Lagos before internment at Ikoyi Cemetery.

    The reception which follows immediately after internment is slated for Paddington Sports Ground, by Stadium Hotel, Surulere, Lagos.

  • Lagos Assembly tasks Ambode on menace of drug abuse

    calls for aggressive campaign

    Lagos State House of Assembly at plenary on Monday passed a resolution calling on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and relevant stakeholders to embark on aggressive campaigns against the menace of drug abuse.

    The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Hon. Desmond Elliot who represents Surulere constituency 1.

    In the motion titled ‘Need to Curb the Menace of Drug Abuse Among Youths in Lagos State’ Elliot said the adverse effectsl of hard drugs on youths and the society is huge and that there is need to check the trend.

    According to him, youths have formed the habit of using drugs  to get high, perform better in certain situation and to change their perception of reality or for other purposes.

    The drugs, he said includes cocaine, heroin, cannabis, India hemp and seemingly harmless drugs over the counter like cough syrups with codeine, rubber, gum, septic tank fumes, urine concentrates, Colorado, skushi, loud and kerosene gas.

    The motion reads in part, “The House is aware that youths now abuse a combination of these substances with two popular drugs; tramadol and codeine which are commonly used for the treatment of cough and severe pains.

    “The House is concerned that those mostly involved in this practice are unqualified pharmacists, nurses and road side hawkers selling to these young people who consequently commit sexual crimes and other violent acts.

    “This House is worried that this abuse has damning and adverse health effects, which include mental disorder, liver cirrhosis and many socioeconomic consequences like school dropout cultism, armed robbery and other related crimes in the state.

    “The House called on the Chairman, Task Force on Environment and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit to carry out strick enforcement against sale of drugs by road side hawkers,” he said.

    Read Also: Ambode urges association to support govt’s programme

    “The House called on the Pharmaceutical Board to direct its members to restrained from selling drugs particularly those that required prescription over the counter without prescription from qualified physicians.”

    The lawmakers also called on other relevant authorities to wake up to their responsibilities and address issues relating to the sales, distribution circulation of the said drugs and other ones.

    Attributing lack of good parenting as responsible for aggravation and proliferation  of hard drugs among youths, Hon. Bisi Yusuf, (Alimosho 1 constituency) said many had been sent to their early graves because of drugs.

    Hon.Segun Olulade (Epe constituency  2) who seconded the motion, commended the prime mover and urged the House to call on Ambode to expedite action in signing the Mental Health bill into law and ensure the implementation to curb the effect of hard drugs.

    Hon.Adefunmilayo Tejuoso (Mushin constituency I), said the issue should not be taken with levity, saying that the government needed to look into the activities of chemists (licence and unlicensed).

    The Majority Leader,  Hon. Sanai Agunbiade described  drug abuse among youths as “a big threat to the nation”, calling for apprehension of drug addicts and engaging them in Community Service.

    While Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa,  called on artistes to collaborate with the government in the campaign against drugs, urging legislators to embark on advocacy in their respectively constituencies.

    While supporting aggressive campaign and sensitization on the ills of taking hard drugs, Obasa however warned against indiscriminate closure of shops.

  • Desmond Elliot, others engage fans on wealth creation

    In recognition of the impact of role modeling, founder of Success Story Africa are planning the next session of their inspirational project, using celebrities and entrepreneurs alike to encourage the youths.

    The session is expected to put paid to the question why opportunities and wealth tend to increase in the hands of some while they reduce in the hands of others.

    Scheduled for Saturday August 1, 2018, at the Pertinence Place, Tinuola Close, Egbeda Akowonjo, Lagos, some of the celebrities who will be sharing their stories to attracting  wealth beyond cash and how one can achieve same, include, actor Desmond Elliot, LandWey CEO Olawale Ayilara, ace producer Blessing Egbe, Union Bank Communications Lead, Omotola Oyebanjo, Pertinence Group CEO, Sunday Olorunsheyi and FarmCrowdy Co-founder, Africanfarmer Mogaji.

    “Stories transform lives. Beyond inspirational talks, young people need relatable stories, exposure and skills to change their circumstances,” said founder, Isaac Oladipupo, while speaking about the 6th edition of the highly impactful Success Stories Africa.

    According to him, in addition to the true stories from leading innovators, lucky participants also stand to clinch instant job opportunities on the spot among other benefits including networking, entertainment and light refreshment.

    Admission to the event is free and registration is available at the venue!

    Intending participants are urged to visit successstoriesafrica.com for details.

  • Cannes 2018: Desmond Elliot warns against rail transportation

    Actor, filmmaker and politician, Hon Desmond Elliot has arrived in Cannes, France, for this year’s edition of the annual Cannes International Film Festival which opened on Tuesday.

    Elliot, a lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, is among the delegation from Lagos at the global event, otherwise called the word Cup of film festivals.

    Upon arrival in Cannes, he hinted of his stalled plan to board a train to Cannes from Paris, saying; “If you are thinking of using the train (as I was); besides the fact that it’s a 5 hour journey, trains are on strike ooo,” he admonished other Nigerian filmmakers, Lagos State delegates, journalists and tourists who are yet to arrive for the festival.

    The closest airport to Cannes is in Nice, from where buses, cabs or trains are usually boarded to Cannes, but as a tourist, Elliot had planned a train ride, to enable him behold the beautiful sights that the European country holds along that axis

    With the ongoing strike by train workers in Paris, Elliot says: “Fly please from Paris to Nice.”

    Among the first Nigerians to arrive in Cannes is the Director General of Lagos State Film and Censors Board, Mr. Dele Balogun, who has good news about the Nigerian pavilion.

    “As far as arrangement here is concerned, we are good. The location is even better than last year’s.”

    This is the second time in row that Lagos State will provide a pavilion for Nigerian contingents in Cannes.

    The Lagos State participation at the festival is being led by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde.

    As part of the programmes for the festival this year, filmmaker Kunle Afolayan will be on hand with a special documentary on ‘Nollywood in Lagos’ which will be screened to guests before the unveiling of the 2018 edition of Cinema in Lagos magazine at the weekend. Elliot, Afolayan, Lagos State Perm Sec, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Fola Adeyemi, and the Audio Visual Attache of the French Embassy, Yoann Talhouarne will help unveil the Cinema in Lagos magazine and introduce the documentary.

    This is expected to be followed by the Lagos Special Day at the pavilion or a venue along the Riviera or by the beach among other activities lined up at the event.

    In its 71st edition, the Festival opened Tuesday evening at the Grand Théâtre Lumière with an excerpt from Pierrot le fou by Jean-Luc Godard, from which the poster for this year’s edition was taken.

    The hallmark of this edition is inspiration, and the tone was set by the verve and enthusiasm of Edouard Baer, Master of Ceremonies, accompanied on piano by Gérard Daguerre.

  • Cannes 2018: Desmond Elliot warns against rail transportation

    Actor, filmmaker and politician, Hon Desmond Elliot has arrived in Cannes, France, for this year’s edition of the annual Cannes International Film Festival which opened on Tuesday.

    Elliot, a lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, is among the delegation from Lagos at the global event, otherwise called the word Cup of film festivals.

    Upon getting to festival town, he hinted of his stalled plan to board a train to Cannes from Paris, saying; “If you are thinking of using the train (as I was); besides the fact that it’s a 5 hour journey, trains are on strike ooo,” he admonished other Nigerian filmmakers, Lagos State delegates, journalists and tourists who may be coming  after.

    The closest airport to Cannes is in Nice, from where buses, cabs and trains are usually boarded to Cannes, but as a tourist, Elliot had planned a train ride, to enable him behold the beautiful sights that the European country holds in that part of town.

    With the ongoing strike by train workers in Paris, Elliot said: “Fly please, from Paris to Nice.”

    Among the first Nigerians to arrive in Cannes was the Director General of Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Mr. Dele Balogun who conveyed good news about the Nigerian pavilion.

    “As far as arrangement here is concerned, we are good. The location is even better than last year’s,” he said.

    This is the second time in a row that Lagos State will provide a pavilion for Nigerian contingents in Cannes.

    The Lagos State participation at the festival is being led by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde.

    As part of the programmes for the festival this year, filmmaker Kunle Afolayan will be on hand with a special documentary on ‘Nollywood in Lagos’ which will be screened to guests, before the unveiling of the 2018 edition of Cinema in Lagos magazine, edited by Olumide Iyanda, at the weekend.

    Elliot, Afolayan, Lagos State Perm. Sec., Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Fola Adeyemi, and the Audio Visual Attache of the French Embassy in Lagos, Yoann Talhouarne will help unveil the Cinema in Lagos magazine and introduce the documentary.

    This is expected to be followed by the Lagos Special Day at the pavilion or a venue along the Riviera or by the beach, among other activities to be announced later.

    In its 71st edition, the festival opened Tuesday evening at the Grand Théâtre Lumière with an excerpt from Pierrot le fou by Jean-Luc Godard, from which the poster for this year’s edition was taken.

    The hallmark of this edition is inspiration, and the tone was set by the verve and enthusiasm of Edouard Baer, Master of Ceremonies, accompanied on piano by Gérard Daguerre.

  • 2019: Lagos lawmakers rally support for Gbajabiamila

    Some members of the House of Representatives from Lagos State have commended the leadership of the Leader of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila at national, state and constituency levels since his election into the house in 2003 .

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) lawmakers spoke in turns at the “Surulere General Assembly’’ on Thursday night.

    They said that they would support his bid to seek re-election to serve his people through quality representation.

    They appealed to residents of Gbajabiamila’s constituency to also support him in his bid to seek re-election.

    The newsmen reports that Gbajabiamila has been representing Surulere 1 Federal Constituency in the green chamber of the National Assembly since 2003.

    The lawmakers are: Messrs Jide Jimoh ( Yaba Fed. Constituency ), Ayo Joseph ( Apapa ), Rotimi Agunsoye ( Kosofe ) Yusuf Ayinla ( Mushin 2 ), and Olaitan Nurudeen ( Ifako-Ijaiye ).

    Mr JIde Jimoh described Gbajabiamila as an asset to the House of Representatives, who he said, had acquitted himself remarkably well as a legislator.

    He said the House Leader had initiated many development-oriented bills in the house and contributed robustly to debates in its sessions.

    Jimoh said Gbajabiamila served his people selflessly, urging residents of Surulere to unite and support him for another term.

    “We are here today to thank Surulere for giving to the house an impactful legislator like Hon.Gbajabiamila.

    “He has been an asset to the house with his great presentation of issues and robust contributions to sessions.

    “We are proud of him and we want you, his constituents to unite and support his bid to seek re-election,” he said.
    Jimoh said that Gbajabiamila was already a principal officer of the house and that replacing him with someone else at this point would not give much benefit to the constituency and the state.

    Also speaking, Hon, Ayo Joseph said lawmaking was about experience, passion and service.

    He said that Gbajabiamila’s wealth of experience as a member of the House was a great asset not only to the National Assembly but also to the nation.

    He urged residents of Surulere to speak with one voice and support the House Leader for another term to “continue the good work he has been doing”.

    Mr Rotimi Agunsoye said the hallmark of leadership was to lead well and see what others could not see.

    He said Gbajabiamila had demonstrated exemplary leadership and had impacted positively on his constituents.

    Agunsoye said the House Leader was a legislator per excellence who commanded the respect of house members with his erudite presentation of issues.

    “When Gbajabiamila speaks others listen. Every one of us loves to listen to him in the house.

    “He is a selfless leader and a legislator per excellence. I want the residents of Surulere to re-nominate this gentleman to keep the flag flying,” he said.

    Also, Mr Olaitan Nurudeen said Gbajabiamila was a rallying point for Lagos lawmakers in the house.

    He added that the lawmaker was a blessing not only to Surulere but to the state, urging his constituent members to support him for another term.

    Similarly, Mr Yusuf Ayinla also commended Gbajabiamila for what he called his achievements in the house, saying he deserved another term for his great performance.

    The Secretary of APC in the state, Mr Hakeem Bamgbala described Gbajabiamila as a great party man who had not only made the state proud but also the party.

    Bamgbala represented by the Vice-Chairman, Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area, Mr Gbenga Oyebode, said Gbajabiamila had demonstrated exemplary leadership.

    Read Also: Lagos Island Rotary to build hospital

    Also, Mr Desmond Elliot; a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly ( LAHA ), said Gbajabiamila had touched the lives of many constituents.

    He said that he had empowered many residents through so many initiatives and represented the area well at the House of Representatives.

    He urged the residents of Surulere to give the House Leader all the support in his bid for another term.

    A resident and chieftain of the APC, Mr Adeseye Amigos, praised Gbajabiamila for his contributions to the development of Surulere.

    He said that the residents were pleased with him and would support his bid for another term.

    The newsmen reports that other constituents took turns to commend Gbajabiamila at the assembly, pledging support for him.

    NAN

  • As Desmond Elliot, other celebrities file out against cancer…

    As Desmond Elliot, other celebrities file out against cancer…

    In a bid to create awareness for cancer in the country, Nollywood filmmaker and Lagos State lawmaker, Hon. Desmond Elliot will on February 24, 2018 lead a 5km awareness walk in Surulere, Lagos.

    The 5km walk which is organised by Atinuke Cancer Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation founded by cancer survivor, Atinuke Lawal, is scheduled to hold between 8:30am and 10:30am. However, before the start of the walk, there would be free health check for about 500 people and low tempo aerobics. After the walk, there will be a 40-minute novelty football match between female and male celebrities.

    “I lost my aunt to breast cancer,” said Elliot whose birthday falls on February 4, being World Cancer Day.

    He explained: “I discovered that she had detected it on time but she didn’t manage it. A lot of these people need love. Once you detect early, you have every chance that you can fight against it. And I said, to honour my aunt, it’s my mum’s birthday and to honour her, we decided to do this walk. So, it’s just grouping everything together into one. So, everything just seemed like we needed to get this going and there is no point being a ‘celebrity’ or a member of the parliament if you’re not able to lend your voice towards such causes. This is calling on well-meaning Nigerians to come join the walk on that day.”

    Atinuke Lawal started the cancer awareness in December 2016 ‘as a result of my exposure to knowledge of lack of medical facilities for the treatment of cancer, the state of cancer treatment/patients and stigmatization of cancer patients in Nigeria’ after she was treated for cancer in Nigeria.

    “As a survivor myself, my team and I are proud to provide excellent and compassionate assistance to patients,” she said.

    “Our foundation conducts such event annually to support, raise awareness, educate, inform, advocate, motivate or inspire not only the patients but families of patients and the general public. We understand that cancer is a bully and no respecter of no-one, hence our slogan and group name ‘LET’S KILL IT!’ Cancer must be eradicated.

    “Because we realise that Nigerians hate to discuss or hear about cancer, we decided to bring the message as subtle as possible by introducing entertainment while actually passing the awareness message through football and Nollywood which Nigerians love.”

    She is however happy that her message is getting to the appropriate quarters.

    “The cancer institute bill recently passed by the governor of Lagos state is evident that our effort is not in vain. Our message is getting to the right channel. We will not stop until cancer is totally eradicated in our midst. Together we can, “Let’s kill it!”

    Last year at the foundation’s end of year party, tagged ‘Let’s Kill it’ at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi Araba, few cancer patients were sponsored financially to support treatment and drugs while about 50 other cancer patients got gifts of fruit hampers and food stuffs.