A mutual friend, Dotun Shaba, art enthusiast and patriot, introduced me to Ali Baba in Abuja in the late ’80s.
He was an unknown quantity; a budding comedian who had something special up his sleeves without showing it.
He struck me as shy, respectful, but quietly determined. He knew what he wanted and, clearly how to get it.
A few years after we departed, I saw Ali Baba on NTA. He began presenting a comedy programme, Tom, Dick, and Ali. Gradually, he established the Stand-Up comedy as a distinctive art, a cut above the comedy of the Baba Sala era.
Ali embodies this genre, which he pioneered, but what trips me is the way he has grown the industry by mentoring several other promising Stand Up comedians.
Ali collects my respect for his ecumenical spirit and willingness to share his awesome talent and create a vibrant industry.
Today, thanks to Ali Baba, Stand Up comedy is as big as the movie industry.
His leading role in diversifying the art into allied areas has created jobs for hundreds of youth as Masters of Ceremony, Speakers, and comedians.
Ali Baba @57 is the biggest thing to happen in the Nigerian entertainment industry in our generation.
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