Nollywood movie star and politician, Desmond Elliot has disclosed that he is taking a break from acting to focus more on politics.
The Nigerian lawmaker says he is going on a hiatus because it will not be prudent for him to combine acting with his new found life, politics.
In April this year, Desmond was elected as a lawmaker for the Lagos State House of Assembly, Surulere Constituency in Nigeria.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Myjoyonline.com at the 2015 MultiChoice Africa Content Showcase in Mauritius, the award winning actor said acting for him, “will be on a brief holiday.”
With over 200 films, television shows and soap operas to his credit, Desmond said he will be seen as very irresponsible if he combines politics and acting.
“The work of a legislator is not easy; I will be seen to be very irresponsible if I was acting while I have a lot of legislative responsibility.”
Nevertheless, he said his time, apart from politics, will also be spent encouraging and grooming new talents in acting.
“I would always encourage others. We have 200 million Nigerians, 50 million of which want to act so I am there to encourage them,” the fine actor revealed.
For Desmond, apart from serving his constituents, major on his plate is the issue of piracy in the Nigerian film industry.
“Piracy has eaten deep into the nerves of the industry and is killing a lot of people. It’s ripping them off of their livelihood,” he lamented.
To him, “making a major effort at curbing this parasite, this disease called piracy, will be a major achievement.”
Another achievement for him, will be ensuring the existence of a major “structure by which Nollywood films can grow.”
Desmond Elliot is an accomplished Nollywood actor. He won Best Supporting Actor in a Drama at the 2nd Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
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