TheNewsGuru

Tag: ALIBABA

  • FG Appoints Ali Baba, Segun Arinze, Others Into COVID-19 Committee

    The Federal Government has approved the appointment of comedian Ali Baba, Segun Arinze and others into a committee of creative industry stakeholders to advise the Federal Government on the best way to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the industry.

    The committee, which is led by Ali Baba has Anita Eboigbe of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, as Secretary. Other members of the Committee are Bolanle Austen Peters, Charles Novia, Segun Arinze, Ali Jita, Baba Agba, Kene Okwuosa, Efe Omoregbe, Prince Daniel Aboki, Chioma Ude, Olumade Adesemowo, Dare Art Alade and Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim.

    The committee would also include representatives of the fashion, publishing, photography, hospitality and travel sectors. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced this at a meeting with the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, BON, on Wednesday, in Abuja.

    Mohammed stressed the need for a collective and government-supported approach in dealing with the immediate, short and long term palliatives and initiatives for the industry, in order to mitigate the effect of the pandemic on the industry.

    Lai Mohammed noted that the Creative Industry is a very critical sector of the nation’s economy and a major plank of the economic diversification policy of the Buhari Administration as it creates the highest number of jobs after Agriculture.

    “We have, therefore, decided that instead of addressing this problem piecemeal, we should do so holistically for a more positive outcome,” he said, noting that the creative industry is a very critical sector of the nation’s economy.

    The terms of reference of the committee include assessing the expected impact of the pandemic on the industry in general and advising the government on how to mitigate job and revenue losses in the sector, as well as to create succour for the industry small businesses.

    According to the minister, the committee is also to suggest the type of taxation and financing that is best for the industry at this time to encourage growth and also advise the government on any other measure or measures that can be undertaken to support the industry.

    The committee has four weeks to submit its report.

  • Alibaba opens up on failed business investment

    Nigerian comedian and showbiz impresario, Alibaba has said he wont go into politics until some major issues are sorted out in Nigeria.

    The entertainer made this known in a recent Instagram live chat.

    According to him: ”I cannot go into politics with the way things are in Nigeria. First of all, the Nigerian constitution is faulty; secondly the selection and electioneering process is also faulty. We do not have a proper data of the people that are in Nigeria. So anybody that wants to rig you out, can rig you out. So for me, I won’t go into politics until those things are sorted out. Another part of our constitution that is flawed is that you have a constitution that favors laziness”.

    Speaking further, Alibaba opened up on his failed business investment. The comedian said he once published a book that didn’t do well in terms of sales.

    “I published a book, a collection of Nigerian jokes in 2005 which former President Obasanjo wrote the foreword. That was when I realized that Nigerians don’t buy books. Someone had actually told me that all the jokes I wrote in the book could have been packaged into a DVD where I performed and people would still buy.It was a wrong business investment”.

    The Ambrose Alli University graduate revealed that when he charges for comedy shows, the money made isn’t meant for only him.

    “Anytime you charge at shows people think the money is just going straight into your pocket. They don’t see the caterers, ushers, stage managers, band members and others that will be paid. So there is a chain of people that what you are charging is feeding.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • COVID-19: Sanwo-Olu should emulate Wike – Alibaba

    As more cases of COVID-19 increases, popular comedian, Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Alibaba, has warned the Lagos State Government to take the implementation of the lockdown in the state seriously.

    Alibaba who made this known via his Instagram page on Wednesday advised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to emulate his counterpart, Nyesom Wike and apply strict measures on lockdown in the state.

    He urged Nigerians to be conscious and take seriously the need for total compliance to the lockdown order in order to contain the spread of Coronavirus.

    His post reads, “Stay indoors, we have moved from 300 plus to 400 plus in 24 hours.

    “All these governors that were lifting restrictions should get ready now.

    “Lagos State must be firm like the Rivers government did.”

    As at April 16, total confirmed cases of people with COVID-19 in Lagos state stood at 235.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_BVrMRH9pY/

     

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers accused the federal government of attempting to infect and kill residents of the state with COVID-19.

    Addressing a press conference in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Friday, Wike alleged that federal authorities are working to compromise the health protection system of the state and make it vulnerable to coronavirus.

    The governor said his administration has established the right legal framework to assist in fighting against the spread of the disease.

    “Some people want the escalation of the virus in Rivers State. People were paid to canvass a negative narrative on Carveton Pilots,” Wike said.

     

     

  • Ali Baba, Seyi Law decry sponsorship challenges

    A-list Nigerian comedians, Atunyato Akpobome a.k.a Ali Baba and Lawrence Oluwaseyitan a.k.a Seyi Law, have decried challenges comedians face in getting sponsorship for shows.

    Veteran comedian, Ali Baba, took to his Instagram page while responding to a fan’s question on why Very Important Personalities (VIP) tickets were expensive in Nigeria comedy shows.

    Ali Baba attributed it to cost of planning the show, adding that the VIPs were the ones that bore the cost of the show.

    “alibabagcfr @Collinsmohot because the VIPs bear the cost of the show.

    “If your show cost you N150million, how much regular tickets will return your investment?

    “Say the hall is 2,000 capacity, how much will regular pay? Besides, cost of planning a show oversea is far cheaper,” he wrote.

    He added that the cost of planning a show overseas was cheaper than shows in Nigeria.

    Similarly, Seyi Law said that cost and demands of hosting an event in the country without sponsorship drive up ticket pricing.

    The comedian commended Ali Baba on his response to his fans on his Instagram page.

    “Thanks @alibabagcfr for constantly educating the people about the activities of entertainers and events managers.

    “I can’t write the epistle needed to drive home this point. The cost and class demands of the events in Nigeria without sponsorship drive up ticket pricing.

    “These and more are the reasons we are constantly grateful to media houses that oblige us their platforms for advertising.

    “Now, AFCON is encroaching into that territory to frustrate our efforts.

    “What is the government doing to encourage these businesses that create 100 to 200 direct and indirect jobs per show?

    “Make I leave the matter for now. I am looking for sponsors for my Abuja show abeg,” he wrote.

    The duo is known for their various comedy around the globe and they have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the entertainment industry.

    They have also won numerous awards, which made them outstanding in their careers.

     

  • Being alone and celibate can lead you to depression- Alibaba

    Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere, a Nigerian comedian better known as Alibaba, is of the opinion that being alone and celibate can lead to depression.

    The ace comedian made this known while commenting on the need for young adults to get married.

    He made this known via his Instagram page: “Being in a relationship is important. Being alone and celibate… can lead you to depression faster than you think”.

    Back in August 2019, Alibaba stated that his father disowned him when he decided to venture into comedy.

    According to him:“In 1988, when I started doing stand- up comedy…my father disowned me. His reason? He could not see any future in what I did. Many people are limited by history of things and what they already know. Those who create the future get triggered by things that can be seen in the future. How futuristic are your dreams? What is it that needs to be developed? Who will benefit from it? What are the things that will make it happen?

    “I look back now and think about how many people tried to discourage me. Those who thought the ladder to success, was exclusively by climbing as a Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer, Banker, Architect, Accountant, Civil Servant. Today, there are comedians who are worth 3 billion (more or less) in assets and liquid cash. There are comedians, whose social impact and economic value has empowered many who are in those core walks of life mentioned above”.

     

  • Your followers not always your fans-Alibaba

    Nigerian veteran stand-up comedian better known as Ali Baba, has stated that having huge followers on social media does not guarantee loyalty.

    The 53-year-old entertainer, fondly called the ‘King of comedy’, said some social media users follow you to “see you slip and fall” to the extent that they operate like “monitoring spirits”.

    In his words:”Some are following to see you slip and fall. They don’t want to miss that moment. They want to be one of the first responders. That’s why when you post something and it offends some sensibilities, they all jump on you like vultures. They have been on standby for so long,” said Ali Baba, in a lengthy post shared on his official Instagram page.

    “You never see them share that post of the seminar you are having to their WhatsApp group. Naaaaaaaa. They would rather die than post the picture of your child graduating. For why? They have talked so bad about you, that they are too ass-shamed to applaud your success. Because they told many you will never make it.”

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/By8gR-enTaz/?utm_source=ig_embed

    The ‘Wedding Party’ actor also said that some hypocritical followers create fake accounts in order to post disparaging remarks on social media.

    “Many of them are so bent on your failure, that they have to create a fake account to help them post those acidic comments. Like your post? Why? For what? Say who die? They will rather use the data to go through your competition’s page and leave thumbs up there,” he wrote.

    “So following you is not a sign of loyalty of admiration. That’s how monitoring spirits operate.”

     

  • Being spontaneous is a character true comedians must have -Alibaba

    Nigerian comedian and entrepreneur, Alibaba has stated the need for comedians to be spontaneous.

    The convener of Alibaba’s Spontaneity revealed why he started the competition at the final panel session of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference( NEC Live 7) which was focused on comedy.

    Comedians like OmoBaba, SLK, Forever and MC Abbey were part of the panelists for the session.

    Speaking on the need for comedians to be spontaneous, Alibaba said:“Fans were complaining that jokes were being recycled. Comedians were stealing one another’s jokes. Being spontaneous is a character true comedians must have. You must be able to make jokes out of anything, right away.”

    Alibaba’s spontaneity started years ago with the aim of encouraging upcoming comedians and also make them understand the value potentials of the comedy industry. The likes of Deeone, Laff Doctors are past winners of the comedy challenge.

     

  • Ali Baba laments over Evans being on trial

    Revered comedian, Ali Baba has condemned the pace of the Nigerian legal system. He cited the example of alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudi Onuamadike, popularly known as Evans.

    Recall that Onuamadike was arrested in June 2017 after years of alleged abductions across the country where he was reported to demand huge amounts of money as ransom.

    Ali Baba in his Instagram post lamented over the slow pace of the Nigerian legal system.

    He wrote:”Evans is still on triallllllllllllll.

    “See why justice in Nigeria leaves a lot to be desired. The New Zealand shooter… had his day in court, no waste of time. The Boston Marathon bomber too did not even have time to plan an escape. The Nigerian diaper bomber… didn’t have time to take a leak and all of the other cases did not take 1 year. But in Nigeria, a case will go on for 20 years.

    “The lawyers who are on the case will get frustrated; move to another law firm; retire:; or die; get appointed into government; set up their own chambers; the judge will be transferred or promoted or retired or died… for one reason or the other, shaaaaaa justice will be delayed. That’s how cases have been killed. Young promising lawyers have been frustrated out of the legal world. Beautiful lawyers that would have made SAN in record time. Naaaaaa. We don’t do that,” he stated.

    The ace comedian is getting set to celebrate his 30 years on stage.

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv51rlgFFko/

     

     

     

  • Setting up a social media account to beg for money won’t help you -AliBaba

    Nigerian comedian, Alibaba has slammed online beggars who use social media accounts to seek for financial assistance.

    Online begging has become a trend with the beggars telling lies and scheming to scam unsuspecting social media users.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BvG7OWXl0OI/?utm_source=ig_embed

     

     

    Alibaba wrote: “This is something we must not encourage any more. People using emotional blackmail to get people to fund their laziness. OOtoooo ge!!!!! I have shared on my page young Nigerians who decided to go into small businesses like selling groundnuts, working in a bakery, hawking bread, sales girls, office boys, barbers, security guards, keke napep riders, car washers, mechanics, carpenters… all to keep body and soul together. This idea of looking like a slay queen and setting up a social media account and using same to solicit help is not going to get us anywhere.

    “That’s why 100s of thousands will flood reality show auditions. See the number of hustlers on Lagos streets, hawking and grinding daily. Some, make like 2K a day. Some make more. I didn’t get here by a stroke of luck. I have squatted, been homeless in Lagos, worked for free, took paid employment with #DPLekkiLtd when it seemed that comedy didn’t pick up like I thought it would. Let’s stop encouraging this lazy behaviours. It will continue to encourage many who see others succeeding at it. The girls coming to do pedicure, weave your hair, pick up househelp jobs, waiters at restaurants, ushers, and so on you think they don’t have pride or don’t have a reason to want to take their lives?

    “Please, find something to do. I have between ages 16 and 25, been in all kinds of jobs. Wasn’t any easier. Shoemaker. Bricklayer. Carpenter. Sand digger. Conductor. Bakery worker. Brewery worker. Extra Murals teacher. Kabukabu driver. Smooth mellow deejay. Break dancer… there are several things to do while waiting for things to happen. Begging isn’t one of them,” he wrote.

     

    In the same vein, earlier in January 2019, Omoni Oboli condemned a fan who posted begging comment on her Instagram page.

    “These are the issues…I have never responded to begging comments ever because I know first hand that we’ve all needed a little assistance and maybe even still do so we have to ask but…You are asking for assistance for what exactly? What is the end game? Is it to start a business that will eventually give you some financial freedom? If so, fantastic! I applaud you!”

     

  • Obasanjo recognized stand-up comedy, gave it a boost- Alibaba

    Nigerian stand-up comedian, Alibaba has declared that Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo recognized stand-up comedy and gave it boost.

    Alibaba, whose real name is Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome made this known at a press briefing recently.

    “The ex-President, Obasanjo, wasn’t just promoting me; he recognised stand-up comedy and gave it a boost. After a while, he got used to me and started recommending me for events he attended. A lot of state governors, who used to attend those presidential dinners, used to invite me to their events. For him to have the thick skin to accommodate my jokes about him made them feel comfortable with me.

    “I felt comfortable performing in front of military men because I had done events for military chiefs like Sani Abacha, Ibrahim Babangida and Tunde Idiagbon. When I performed at military barracks, I could get away with some things because I knew the ropes. I studied the origin of stand-up comedy and I knew it started with the blacks. I knew how to tell jokes without offending anybody. I knew there was a thin line between being funny and being offensive,” he said.