Ace comedian, Alibaba is simply the godfather of comedy in Nigeria. His contribution to the growth of the industry and his achievement in the development recognition of the genre in the country is the stuff of legends.
Alibaba, also known as Alleluya Atunyota Akporobomeriere recently lectured a group of successful and aspiring entrepreneurs alike at the British Council, Lagos on ‘The Business of Show Business’, dishing on his experience while starting up in 1987 and his journey to earning millions of naira anchoring events for high net worth individuals.
Alibaba, who spoke at the event organized by Creative a Enterprise Association of a Nigeria (CEAN) said, ”Back in 1995, I put three billboards that read ‘Being Funny Is Serious Business’ and had my contacts, where my target market – high net worth individuals, were.
“One on Bourdillon Ikoyi, one where Civic Centre currently is, and the last at Marina Lagos,” he explained.
Alibaba continued saying, “By the end of that year, Satzenbrau paid me a million naira.”
However, Alibaba, who used to sleep at the popular Lagos Bar Beach front, was quick to remind that he had been in the infant industry for over 7 years before the fat cheques came.