Personality of the week: ALIBABA

Our Personality of the week is Atunyota Alleluia Akporobomerere, fondly called by stage name, Alibaba. He is the father of Stand-up comedy in Nigeria and  one of the most sought after Nigerian stand-up comedian. Alibaba was born in Warri, Delta State, on June 24th 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. His father is a retired soldier who served in Lagos. Schooling therefore was at Ojo Primary School and Command Secondary School both in Lagos, he furthered his education at Ibru College in Agbarha-Otor and then went on to Bendel State University now known as the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma where he read Religious Studies & Philosophy. He discovered his comic talent in his 3rd year in University and relocated to Lagos after acquiring his degree.

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. Having made up his mind to be a comedian with difference, Alibaba succeeded in carving a niche for himself as a comedian for both corporate and non-corporate events and in less than 4 years, he had also become the preferred Master of Ceremony at some events.

He was inducted into the Johnny Walker ‘Striding Man’ Society in 2009 which recognizes men who have achieved great strides in their chosen fields of endeavor and who share the strides they have taken to motivate and encourage others. In 2012, he was the first Nigerian Comedian to ring the Year End Closing Bell of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, he is also a Special Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps and was featured on CNN’s African voices in 2015. He won the Diamond Award For Comedy in 2008 for helping the growth & development of the Comedy Industry in Nigeria. In 2004 he won the 1st Nigeria Entertainment Awards as an Icon of comedy, in 2009 the City People Entertainment award for his invaluable contribution to the entertainment industry, he walked away as the comedian of the decade in 2009 at the National Daily Award. He was honoured by the Comedy for Change in commemoration of his 20 years on stage and the list is endless.


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