Alibaba Akpobome

Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, professionally known as Ali Baba, is a Nigerian stand-up comedian, master of ceremonies[1] and actor.

Alibaba Akpobome
Birth nameAtunyota Alleluya Akpobome
Born (1965-06-24) 24 June 1965
NationalityNigerian
Alma materAmbrose Alli University
Years active1991–present
SpouseMary Akpobome
Children5

Early life

Ali Baba was born in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria on 24 June 1965,[2] to the royal family of Agbarha Otor. He is the first son of several children and spent his first 8 years in Warri. His father is a retired soldier who served in Lagos.

Education

He attended Command Secondary School, Ipaja, Lagos ,and Ibru College Agbarha-Otor, Delta. He attended Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University), Ekpoma and graduated with a degree in Religious Studies & Philosophy.[3]

Career

After completing his academic degree in 1990, he relocated back to Lagos,[4] to develop his comedic talent he discovered at the university. Originally, he planned to study Law but decided he could be more successful by making people laugh than by defending them.

Professional career

He began his professional career performing at corporate events, appearing on television shows with Patrick Doyle, Charly Boy , and Danladi Bako, and making cameo appearances on radio shows with Bisi Olatilo, Sani Irabor, and Mani Onumonmu.[5] He also worked with Prince Adedapo Benjamin Adelegan of DP Lekki Limited as executive assistant in 1991.

In 2014, Ali Baba started an annual comedy event called the 1 January concert.[6] Comedians come up to review the events of the previous year and a first-class graduate from the preceding year receives an award.[7]

In 2015 he started an event called Spontaneity; a quarterly event for budding comedians.[8] Notable among the finalists of this competition is Woli Arole at the 2016 edition.[9]

Ali Baba maintains the philosophy that his business is big enough for all who want to make comedy their chosen profession. As such, he supports, mentors, and presents several comedians helping to ensure that standards are maintained and professionalism encouraged.[10]

Awards
YearAwardsCategories
2001Laughter Awards – Baziks Theatre AbujaOutstanding Performance
2002Laughter IncorporatedImmense contribution to the comedy Industry
2003Delta State UniversityAchievers Merit Award
2004Pendulum Awards LASU National Association of Physics StudentIcon of Comedy
20041st Nigeria Entertainment AwardsIcon of Comedy
2005National Comedy AwardComedy Enterprise
2006Eric's Entertainment IncRecognition of his solid support to young entrepreneurs
2006Lagos State UniversityAward of Excellence
2006City People EntertainmentInvaluable contribution to the Entertainment Industry
2007RCCGEnablers Merit Award
2008The NewsFor turning stand up comedy into a viable business
2008Diamond Award for ComedyFor helping the growth & development of the Comedy Industry in Nigeria
2009City People EntertainmentInvaluable contribution to the Entertainment Industry
2009National Daily AwardComedian of the decade
2010Comedy for ChangeIn commemoration of his 20 years on stage

Recognition

Ali Baba was inducted into the Johnnie Walker 'Striding Man' Society in 2009 which recognizes men who have achieved great strides in their chosen fields and who motivate and encourage others [11]

In 2012, he rang the Year End Closing Bell of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the first Nigerian comedian to do so.

He is a Special Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

In March 2015, Ali Baba[12] was featured on CNN African voices, speaking about his goal to professionalize and gain acceptance for Nigerian comedians.

In April 2018, Ali Baba received the Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary International for his contribution to the Nigerian Comedy industry

Family

Ali Baba is married to Mary Akpobome.[13]

Personal life

Ali Baba is an avid reader and enjoys painting. he survived covid-19.[14]

Select filmography

See also

References
  1. "Ali Baba: I charged what I make in 4 hours -- as an MC -- to do 'The Wedding Party'". TheCable Lifestyle. 8 February 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  2. "Congratulatory messages pour in as Ali Baba clocks 55 - P.M. News".
  3. "Nigeria: I Stumbled Into Comedy By Accident -- Alli Baba". All Africa. Vanguard Newspapers.
  4. "Ali Baba: I had so many scattered dreams before comedy fell into place". Vanguard. 26 August 2012.
  5. "Ali Baba: Comedians are now ambassadors, philanthropists". The Cable. 29 June 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  6. "Nigeria: Alibaba's New Year Concert". All Africa. Thisday. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  7. "Alibaba: being funny is serious business". BusinessDay. 15 January 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  8. "Alibaba's Spontaneity: One Comedy Prodigy To Win A Car And Internship At January 1st Concert". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 30 December 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  9. ""I AM A REAL PROPHET" WOLI AROLE". Ibadan City Info. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  10. "Comedy not dying, only being badly practised –Ali Baba". Punch. 1 June 2012. Archived from the original on 17 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  11. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo wrote his forward from Nigerian Film website. Retrieved on 15 September 2008, from http://www.nigeriafilms.com/content.asp?ContentTypeID=7&contentid=3122
  12. CNN African Voices (6 March 2015). "Laughter is a serious business for top comedian". {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  13. "Ali Baba & Mary: Comedy, fun, love". Punch. 22 September 2013. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  14. Report, Agency (4 January 2021). "Comedian Alibaba narrates experience with COVID-19". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  15. "THE LAST 3 DIGITS 1ST TRAILER". You Tube. Moses Inwang. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  16. "Dr Sid, Don Jazzy, Ali Baba, A.Y unveiled in "The Last Three Digits"". 9aijabooks and Movies. 9aijabooksandmovies. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  17. "New Trailer Alert: Moses Inwang's 'THE LAST 3 DIGITS'". Judith Audu Blogspot. Judith Audu. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  18. "'The Last 3 Digits' Moses Inwang's movie wins 'Best International film' award". Pulse Nigeria. Chidumga Izuzu. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
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