Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome (sometimes written Akporobome), stage name Ali Baba, is a Nigerian stand-up comedian and actor
Early life
Ali Baba was born in Warri, Delta State,
on June 24, 1965 to the Royal Family of Agbarha Otor, Ughelli North
Local Government Area. The first son after several girls. He spent the
first 8 years of his life in Warri (Delta State, Nigeria).
His father is a retired soldier who served
in Lagos. Schooling therefore was at Ojo Primary School and Command
Secondary School both in Lagos.
Education
He furthered his education at Ibru College
in Agbarha-Otor and then went on to the now rested Bendel State
University now known as the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma where he
read Religious Studies & Philosophy.
Career
After acquiring a degree from the then
Bendel State University, Ekpoma in 1990, he relocated to Lagos, having
discovered his comic talent and funny bone in his 3rd Year in
University. He had planned to return to Ekpoma to read Law but that was
not to be, since he discovered he could make more money from making
people laugh than defending them.
Professional career
He began his professional career with
corporate events, appearing on television shows with the likes of
Patrick Doyle, Charly Boy and Danladi Bako. He also made cameo
appearances on radio shows with Bisi Olatilo, Sani Irabor and Mani
Onumonmu. He also worked briefly with Dapo Adelegan of DP Lekki Limited
as executive assistant in 1991.
He had made up his mind that he was going
to do everything to enhance himself, improve his skill and the service
he offered in other words be professional. However at the time there was
hardly any precedent to follow because the funny men then were not into
Stand-up comedy. Patrick Doyle, John Chukwu, Bisi Olatilo, Femi Segun,
Femi Jarret, Leo Onwudi, Smart Otemu, Tony St. Iyke and many more were
funny, very funny but did not do full-time comedy.
Through guts, sacrifice and creative
dynamism, Ali Baba carved a niche for himself as a comedian for both
corporate and non-corporate events. In less than 4 years, he had also
become the preferred Master of Ceremony at some events. Ali Baba made
the rules, broke them and sometimes even discarded them depending on how
effective they were. These days no event is considered complete without
a Comedian to MC that event.
In 1993, he registered his company Alibaba
Hicuppuray 3rd and from then on his focus was on ensuring that the
perception of comedians being never do wells changed and instead is seen
as a profession and a respected way of life.
In 1998, he hired billboards in strategic
parts of Lagos Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island; Osborne Road,
Ikoyi and the Marina paying for two years. The message was simple and
one he has come to be known by Being Funny is Serious Business.
Ali Baba, has lived with the philosophy
that his business is big enough for all who want to make their chosen
profession. As such, he has supported, mentored and presented several
comedians helping to ensure that standards are maintained and
professionalism encouraged. It is no longer strange to hear a comedian
charge impressive fees for events. The industry, yes, the Comedy
Industry though yet to be standardized,is growing fast and strong to the
credit of the God Father of Comedy.
He has been a professional stand up comedian for the past 30 years and has in the these years received several award
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