By BODE ODESEYE

When Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome-Ali Baba-Nigeria’s acclaimed King of Comedy came up with the idea of stand-up comedy in Nigeria in the early ‘90s, it was hitherto unheard of in the country.

Established broadcasters like Patrick Doyle, Danladi Bako, Soni Irabor and Bisi Olatilo dominated the events industry as masters of ceremony, and there seemed to be no room for a stand-up comedian at any high brow event.

Ali Baba however thought differently. It was the era when comedians like George Carlin, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler and Martin Lawrence were making waves in America and earning a good living. Movie stars like Eddie Murphy and Robin Williams dominated the comedy sphere in the ‘80s and went further to consolidate their success with break-through in the American movie industry, and Ali saw the prospects of becoming a celebrated comedian in his own turf.

Educated at Ibru College, now Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, he knew his professional expertise could get him his desired result and he went after his dream with zeal. The key to his success was to dress smartly in suits and have the ability to crack ribs seamlessly, giving his audience an unforgettable experience that would make them yearn for more.

He started off by appearing on TV shows with Doyle and Bako, and on radio shows with Olatilo and Irabor, to gain popularity. Before he knew it, he had become a national sensation, performing at events strictly organized by the super rich. The peak of his career came when he became the official master of ceremony for the presidency, during the era of President Olusegun Obasanjo, who held the helm of affairs in Nigeria between 1999 and 2007.

Ali hailed from Warri in Delta State, a place synonymous with raw talents in comedy. Practically every comedian who came after him identifies with Warri, and many of the successful ones call it their home.

Mentoring young graduates became his virtue as he encouraged willing talents to ply their trade. This perhaps made stand-up comedy to stand the test of time in the country, as new entrants brought innovative ideas to the table.

With fame came astounding wealth, mostly facilitated by private mobile telecommunications companies with the advent of mobile devices’ usage by the masses in 2001. Multi-million naira endorsement deals were signed with firm handshakes and the lucky chosen talents, including Bright Okpocha-Basketmouth-smiled to the bank. And some are still smiling to the bank till date from such mouth-watering endorsement deals.

As a result of wide patronage, many of the Nigerian comedians live in splendor and support their enviable lifestyles with events organized in style to attract maximum revenue generation. Ali, Ayo Makun, (AY), and several others are living examples.

Their events, usually organized at high brow event centres like Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos-which has a 6,000 sitting capacity and attracts over N9 million-rent-per-event-are always filled to capacity. Tickets to the events are in different categories and attendees would have their pick. Invariably, the platinum VIP tables are sold in millions of naira, (The AY Live 2019 Easter Sunday Lagos edition cost N5 million per premium table); while the cheapest regular ticket costs N5000 apiece.

Aside from ticket sales, the AY Live organized annually by AY in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja are often sponsored by corporate bodies. The same goes for the annual January 1st Concert by Ali Baba which has been sponsored by a bank in the past editions. Bovi Ugboma’s Man on Fire, which its previous editions have been organized in Warri and Lagos, enjoyed sponsorship from the telecoms giant, Globacom.

Nigeria has richness in her culture and this is often explored by the comedians who take the people, irrespective of class, down the memory lane and appeal to their sense of humour to make a glorious living.

In a climate where the best in education struggles for existence, gone are the days when every young boy with an iota of talent in football wants to be a professional footballer because of the stupendous wealth it attracts. The truth is, being discovered by football talent hunters is not easily achievable, and with age limits, it could be a pipe dream as the dreamer advances in age.

On the other hand, a raw talent in stand-up comedy could self-develop, and with dedication, perseverance and a stroke of luck, put food on the table, and start living a life of affluence-just like the Ali Baba of this world.

SOURCE: www.excelintercontinental.com