15th June, 2024
Veteran stand-up comedian Atunyota Akpobome, also known as Ali Baba, has expressed mixed emotions upon learning that his wife was expecting triplets.
In an interview with Saturday Beats, he said, “I felt indifferent, but I was also happy.”
Ali Baba also criticized the Nigerian Economic Summit Group for excluding the entertainment and creative industry from a five-year economic forecast two years ago.
He said, “A 200-page booklet forecasting the Nigerian economy did not consider the creative industry. I believe the Nigerian Economic Summit Group was poorly advised at that time.
“However, they have started forming sub-committees to address this oversight. It was a significant omission, especially considering that sectors like the creative industry generate more revenue than some insurance companies and advertising agencies, which are part of the creative industry. It’s unfortunate, but I believe this issue is being corrected.”
Ali Baba also emphasized that corruption is a far more serious issue in Nigeria compared to the moral controversies raised by skit makers and content creators.
He stated, “Moral standards are not determined by skit makers or content creators but by parental control, government policies, and the educational system. These creators reflect societal issues, not cause them. While they shouldn’t always promote negative behavior, the focus on morality overshadows the more significant issue of corruption. Is a girl dancing naked on social media worse than a man embezzling N2 billion in office?”