By IFECHI OKOH

What bunch of Nigerians ignored or dismissed years backhas suddenly turned out to be a goldmine for 15 talented gentlemen. Interestingly, they have since made names for themselves, enjoying a calling which puts food on their tables and also made it possible for them to be smiling to the banks on regular basis. Showbiz Xtra will, from this edition, showcase them in threes per edition. For a start, the Comedians on parade in this edition are Alleluya Atunyota Akpoborome (Ali Baba), Julius Agwu, Bright Okpocha (Basket Mouth), Tunde Adewale (Tee-A), and Francis Agoda (I Go Dye). We would be parading their talents individually which actually makes them thick. Aside from this, their charges will also be on the showcase to help fans to evakuate them too. Welcome!

ALI BABA

His real name is Alleluya Atunyota Akpoborome, quite a mouthful, no doubt. But over the years, the pseudonym, Ali Baba, has been embraced and stamped as authentic by his numerous fans and admirers all over the globe. People know, respect and applaud him as a high standing comedian, who shuns stolen or borrowed jokes to survive. Hence people hardly notice him peddling stolen or borrowed jokes as bunch of his peers do during their shows.No wonder, most followers and fans describe him as King of the Nigerian Comedians. Luckily for him, he is gifted with incredible sense of humour and special ability to make jokes out of situations. A rare gem, his talent has since placed in a comfortable echelon where peers can't easily join him. Hence till this moment, he is comfortably on top of his game, easily dominating his peers and colleagues, most of whom see him as mentor andgodfather in this concern.He is no doubt one of the richest in the industry. He charges between N1 million to N1.5 million per corporate show.

JULIUS AGWU

This celebrated, but diminutive comedian, who calls himself De-Genius, is simply dexterous professionally, by any definition.A well-packaged comedian who knows his act well, and as a result, exhibits such expertise on stage anytime, anywhere. This has since endeared himself to his fans, especially the women folk. Agwu’s sense of humour catapulted him to fame within the shortest possible time frame, which hinges on his special ability to blend comedy easily with music, drama and dance, acts he has since perfected over the years, making him to stand out among peers and colleagues. He is just one in a million among comedians who has carved a visible niche for himself as a result of his voice and special dancing skills.Hence he has been ignoringplagiarism in every form. Unlike most of his contemporaries, his performances are natural and entertaining. What's more, his fine dress sense and carriage automatically makes up for whatever he may have lacked in height and physique. Agwu charges between N1.5 million and N 3million per show.

BASKET MOUTH

Bright Okpocha, whose stage name: Basket Mouth, has successfully swallowed his real name, appears to be the youngest comedian at the time he inched quietly into the concern. Luckily for him, he has managed to live up to his billings, and that is why he is well sought after for shows. His ability to inject yabis into his shows interestingly has really stood him out, thereby giving his shows the necessary slant of a trademark. Fans know and hold him in high esteem just for this alone. The top Comedian is celebrated for his humane spirit which colleagueshave confessed being beneficiariesat different times, has been living in his own house somewhere on the Island. He charges between N1 million to N2 million per show.

TEE-A

This top notch contender in the Nigerian comedy concern, named Tunde Adewale, is known and addressed as Tee-A, on and off stage over the years.The stand-up comedian who this Columnist calls “fine boy no pimples,” stands out tall for his distinctive delivery of jokes in style, with ease.It is on good source that he is the first Nigerian Comedian to thrill an all-white audience. No doub, that by this feat, he crossed the Rubicon that day, a no mean feat which bunch of his colleagues may not have succeeded in doing. He is one of the few and celebrated comedians who live in their own houses. Tee-A collects between N1 million and N3 million per show.

I GO DYE

Right from his superlative performances in the “Nite Of A Thousand Laughs”, Francis Agoda, sorry “IGo Dye”,gave everyone who has eyes the strong impression that sooner than anybody had thought, the young man would bulldoze his way into the crowded Nigerian comedy community and watch him take his rightful place as a frontline act. Just as calculated, it came to pass, perhaps earlier than expected as his stage performances raised dust and loud ovation anywhere he had a show. That was how the popularity of the former continuity announcer of the Delta State Broadcasting Service (DSBS), started to grow like little drops of water which eventually became an ocean, placing him in the front seat of top comedians where he is enjoying today all the accolades and respect of a celebrated comedian. He charges between N1.5 million and N3 million per show.

Don’t fail to hook up for the parade of the next five top comedians next week. Till then, cheerio.