Desmond Elliot apologises for referring to youths as ‘children’

Nigerian actor turned politician, Desmond Elliot, has apologised for referring to Nigerian youths as “children”.

In a viral video that captured the Surulere lawmaker’s submission on the Lagos carnage, he addressed the youths as children and opined that social media was used to fuel the carnage.

According to him, he understood that the youths were upset about the massacre at Lekki Toll Gate, however, he couldn’t fathom how these “children” could rain abuses on their elders. He also stated that Nigeria was gradually losing its culture and that Mr speaker should do something about it.

This resulted in a lot of backlash from the youths on social media as they dragged him continuously.

After getting hit on social media for addressing Nigerians youths as “children” during a plenary session at the Lagos State House of Assembly last week, the actor was forced to apologise.

The actor, via his Twitter handle, apologised for his choice of words during the deliberation.

According to him, he did not mean to be insensitive.

Read his statement below…

”I have read your honest feedback & suggestions & I sincerely apologize for addressing the youth as “Children” I did not mean to be insensitive with this, it was borne out of the magnitude of destruction&looting of businesses I witnessed when I went on a tour of my constituency

“I saw women crying and my constituent members distraught as a result of the damages inflicted on their source of livelihood. I was moved by this while giving my submission on the floor of the House.

“I allowed my emotions to 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 make 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.”