Alibaba, the veteran stand-up comedian, master of ceremonies, actor, and on-air personality is a great man. For over 30 years, he has worked as a professional stand-up comedian. During this time, he has won numerous awards and accomplished numerous feats. To commemorate his birthday, we’ve compiled a list of five facts about him. Examine them out as captured by glamsquad
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His given name
Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome is Alibaba’s real name. On June 24, 1965, the comedian was born to the royal family of Agbarha Otor in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. He is the oldest of several children and spent his first eight years in Warri.
Alibaba had a solid educational background before embarking on a career in comedy. In Lagos, he attended Ojo Primary School and Command Secondary School. He also attended Ibru College in Agbarha-Otor and Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University) in Ekpoma, where he majored in Religious Studies and Philosophy.
Something extremely amusing
In 1993, he established the company Alibaba Hicuppuray 3rd. The company’s initial goal was to improve the perception of comedians as a profession and a respected way of life. Five years later, in 1998, he hired billboards on strategic Lagos streets with the message “Being Funny is Serious Business” as part of this work. This later contributed significantly to raising the standard of comedy in Nigeria and paving the way for other comedians.
Alibaba’s comedy
Something a little more serious
In 2012, he rang the Nigerian Stock Exchange’s Year-End Closing Bell. Alibaba became the first Nigerian comedian to do so.
His romantic life
Since 2006, he has been married to Mary Akpobome. His heartthrob is currently an executive director of Nigeria’s Heritage Banking Company Limited (HBCL). She is in charge of the company’s Service and Wealth Management division.
He has also mentored several comedians and appeared on hundreds of international shows over the years.