One of Nigeria’s leading stand-up comedians, Akpobome Ogude, popularly known as ‘Ogusbaba’, is set to extend his trademark spontaneous, witty, and bold comedy to major cities in Nigeria, Europe, The United States, Turkey, Russia and several others. Starting from Friday 27th April 2018, the first in a series of shows, tagged ‘Ogusbaba Break the Rule Comedy Tour’, will be held at Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island, in Lagos. Closely followed are shows in Asaba and Enugu, in May 2018, before jetting out on the invitation to Russia, to hold the Russian episode of the tour, as part of events slated for African contingents, at the ‘African Village’, during the FIFA World Cup, in Moscow.
During the press conference to announce the tour, on Thursday March 15, in Victoria Island, the comedian said, “this comedy is about me, my talent, and my bold approach to stand-up comedy, which is to break out of the box – to do something different that will generate a robust international recognition for Nigerian comedians”.
He added that, “In more than 20 years as a stand-up comedian, these shows will showcase my bold, uncensored approach to comedy in a way that elevates Nigerians’ rich talent, in addition to my own ability to hold and excite my audience, which have won me many admirers and fans from my days on Cosmos FM in Enugu, as well as on the weekly Naija Mock News, and the ‘Laugh Goes On’ franchise”.
Already endorsed by the Delta State Government and, among many expected sponsors, Trick Billionaire MusiQ, Ogusbaba adds that the tour will span 2 years. He mentioned that shows in other key cities, in Nigeria, including Abuja and Port Harcourt, are also parts of the comedy tour.
Inspired by the rich creative backdrop of Warri, Delta State, the ‘Ogus Baba’ brand is a success based on the fact that it focuses on delivering contextually engaging comedies built on spontaneity and socio-cultural alignment, laden with substance. These have created a set of values and the means to achieve the ‘feel-good’ rendezvous sought after by a teeming demography who to seek to enrich their leisure time, encompassing those at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder, those at the mid-rungs as well as those at the topmost elitist bench. This adaptability and flexibility provide ready advantage for marketers, brands, and businesses that have associated with the ‘Ogus Baba brand’, amongst which are MTN, Nigeria’s largest telecommunications network; Glo, another telecommunications giant, Palmchat, a notable social network, the Rivers State Government and several broadcasting media including TRACE, Inspiration FM.
In January 2017, Ogusbaba work received international accolade when he was profiled by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), London. It was an instance that shows how seriously Nigerian comedians are esteemed internationally. As well, it puts the ‘Ogus Baba’ brand on a par with notable Nigerian celebrities like Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, who featured in Time ‘The 100 Most Influential People in the World’ in 2013.
Amongst Akpobome Ogude wider admirers are Netflix, America’s largest streaming portal, and a host of sports and political icons. Whether it is in delivering rib-cracking jokes or creating soul lifting ambiance on radio and live-on-stage, Ogus Baba rarely puts his tongues wrong. He is always spot on, and creatively charms his growing fan base on Naija Mock News, Ogus Baba Radio Show, Laughter Goes On event, and in playing the character ‘Original’ in the soap opera, ‘Professor Johnbull’ etc.
