By Balogun Kamilu Lekan
Biography
Ali Baba, real name, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, is a comedian, actor, television host, master of ceremony, and television personality. and entrepreneur.
He was born on June 24, 1965, into the royal family Agbarha Otor in Delta State.
Alibaba is the pioneer corporate comedian in Nigeria. He has been described as the king and founding father of standup comedy in Nigeria.
He is also considered one of the richest comedians in Nigeria.
Education
Ali baba attended Command Secondary School, Ipaja, Lagos, and Ibru College, Agbarha-Otor, Delta, for his secondary education. He proceeded to Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University), where he bagged a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies & Philosophy.
Career
Alibaba began his professional career by 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.
In 1991, he worked as an executive assistant for Prince Adedapo Benjamin Adelegan of DP Lekki Limited.
Later, he focused entirely on his comedy career.
Through his guts, determination, sacrifice, and creative dynamism, Ali Baba carved a niche for himself as a corporate and non-corporate event comedian.
Ali baba’s effort has been able to make comedy a means of livelihood for comedians in Nigeria today.
Ali Baba began an annual comedy event called the January 1st Concert in 2014. The annual event, held on the first day of every year, is one of Nigeria’s most anticipated yearly comedy shows. It is undoubtedly one of the biggest comedy fairs in the country.
In 2015, he launched Spontaneity, a quarterly event for aspiring comedians. Woli Arole, one of Nigeria’s top rising comedians today, is a finalist in the 2016 edition of the competition.
Aside from comedy, Ali baba is also an actor and has graced the screen in significant projects like The Wedding Party and Alakada, among others.
Marriage
Ali Baba is married to Mary Akpobome, and the union is blessed with five children.
- Xsara
- Brenda
- Ejiro
- Tejiri
- Valerie.
Net worth
Ali baba is one of the most prominent and influential comedians today, giving him a spot on the list of wealthiest comedians in Nigeria today.
His net worth is estimated at $7 million. However, NewsWireNGR cannot verify this at the moment.
Achievements
Ali baba, the pioneer of stand-up comedy in Nigeria, is also the first comedian of many other things.
Some of these include being the first Nigerian comedian to perform on commercial flights, entertain over 40 heads of state, ring the closing bell of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, appear on CNN, BBC, and Al Jazeera, become a Paul Harris Fellow, and first inducted into the Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame to mention a few.
Ali baba is also a Special Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps.
Below is a list of some of his awards
- Laughter Awards – Baziks Theatre Abuja
- Laughter Incorporated award
- Delta State University Achievers Merit Award
- Pendulum Awards – Lagos State University
- 1st Nigeria Entertainment Awards
- National Comedy Award
- Eric’s Entertainment Inc
- Award of Excellence – Lagos State University
- City People Entertainment Award
- RCCG Enablers Merit Award
- The News Award
- Diamond Award for Comedy
- City People Entertainment
- National Daily Award
- Comedy for Change award
Select filmography
- My Guy
- The Last 3 Digits
- Head Gone
- The Wedding Party
- Alakada
Controversy
Ali baba was reportedly accused of infidelity in his marriage and that his wife had sent him packing.
It was also reported that his wife had hired a private investigator to help unravel her husband’s extramarital affair.
Ali baba, however, refuted the allegation. He said, “We have gotten calls and messages about the status of our marriage. We are still married and we thank everyone who sent messages and were concerned about the rumour which started because I was not home during Christmas and New Year celebrations.”
Disclaimer
The information in this article was curated from online sources. NewsWireNGR or its editorial team cannot independently verify all details.
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