The first show of the year in Lagos is Comedian Ali Baba’s show which holds on January 1.
As the first to see the serious business that is comedy in the country and vigorously promote the same it makes a lot of sense to hold a show that starts the year. Many can also attest that his show is the best especially because all the comedians in the country fall over each other to be present, to get a chance to put in a joke or two hence the quality. Apart from the fact that it is one show everyone in the country wants to attend, these comedians are all subjects in the kingdom Ali Baba painstakingly built and has since presided over.
Born Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome of royal blood on June 24, 1965, in Warri, now in Delta State, he however realised early that he could build a comedy kingdom and all he had to do was work hard at it. The building blocks of that now vast kingdom that draws allegiance from all who call themselves comedians began at the then Bendel State University (Now Ambrose Alii University, Ekpoma).
After obtaining his degree, he landed in Lagos and almost singlehandedly shaped an industry in comedy now worth billions and attracting talent from all corners of the country. There had been other comedians before he arrived the city by the lagoon, but Ali Baba had realised from doing shows back in school that the benefits to be derived from comedy were limitless. Add to that the fact that he had been industrious way before he even went to university and it is easy to see why he has made a success of stand-up comedy. He is not just a king in his chosen field, he is also a Lagos Big Boy.
Bet you didn’t know he studied Religious Studies & Philosophy and planned to return to Ekpoma to read Law.