Greetings.
Greatest readers of FactNation blog.
It is our tradition to bring to you, weekly, the biography of Nigerian entertainers.
On this week's edition, we bring to you one of Nigeria finest and in my view, the most energetic Comedian ever, AKPORORO.
FULL NAME: Jephthah Bowoto
DATE OF BIRTH: ??????????
OCCUPATION: Comedian, Singer
MARITAL STATUS: Married
SPOUSE: Josephine Abraham
EARLY LIFE AND BACKGROUND
An Ilaje-born Warri Boy, Akpororo's journey to the Comedy greatness was a long and winding one. But it lead to his destiny. Against his wish,
situations forced him to attempt Comedy Competition in hopes for a Career
breakthrough. So he registered for Opa Williams' National Comedy Challenge.
He was the best from the Calabar Zone of the Comedy Challenge. But at the National Level, judges say he's not Nigeria's best. He didn't win. But winning is a must for him. So he tried his luck with AY's Open Mic Challenge. Again.
He came second best. And then, he didn't give up.
He gave AY's Open Mic another try. He gave it all he got. And this time he won. After winning. He added another thirst to his hunger for successes. He begged to perform for free at shows. Some he got. Some he didn't. After
some time, he got bookings for events. One of such bookings was when he was requested to perform at an event for a Professional Fee of N1,000 (One thousand Naira) - that’s approximately 6USD. He was paid N600 with a promise to pay the balance after the show. The organizer, up till date, is yet to pay the balance.
Akpororo persisted. He hustled so hard, dreamt so big, desired so much...until his date with destiny was arranged. It was at Basketmouth's Laff and Jam in Ikoyi. He did a joke about the testimony of a mad man in church. And at the end of his performance, he gave testimonies about how from that day on, he began getting serious, high paying, globe- trotting bookings.
CAREER AND LIFE
August 10, 2014 Akpororo recorded a Career Milestone staging his own Comedy and Music Concert, Akpororo Vs Akpororo at the Shell hall of Muson Centre, in Nigeria's Commercial Capital, Lagos. That was his first outside-okokomaiko Comedy and Music Concert. Energetic. Crazy. Ingenious. Hilarious. These are words that describe Akoporor's performances every where he goes. Performances that have earned him honors like The Comedian of the Year, Award courtesy Naija 102.7 FM.
Outside comedy. Akpororo is also a fine Gospel musician. (That doesn't have anything to do with his facial looks) His got genuine passion for singing God's Praises. He coordinates a mass choir called “Ojo Mass Choir”. He also directs a dance group and organizes an annual programme tagged ‘Ojo Mega Praise Jam’ in Okokomaiko hood in Lagos, Nigeria. Working on a soon-to-be-released album, Akpororo has recorded great singles 'Days of Elijah' and 'Thank Am o. The videos of both songs have also been released.
There's also a good actor in Akpororo. He has featured in Comedy Films like 'Head Gone' a film produced by Sound Sultan, and featuring great industry names in the persons of Alibaba, Tuface Idibia, Baba Dee, Eniola Badmos, Zack Orji, and Basorge Tariah, Jnr. His jokes portray him as some 'MAD' Comedian, but on the inside of this 'MAD' dude is an inspirational figure. When that part of him hits you. You laugh, and at the same time you get fired up. Little wonder, he presents 'No Shaking', a motivational comedy radio programme on Naija FM's Morning Runs. Which ever way you perceive him; Mad, Funny, or Motivational, Jephthah Bowoto remains Akpororo - the Fastest Rising Comedian in Sub
Saharan Africa.
He is now getting to the level the likes of ‘I Go Dye’, Basketmouth, AY, Julius Agwu and others have attained in the industry over the years. Hardly would a comedy event hold in the country that this cute guy won’t be part of the performers. Some have described him as the new ‘I Go Dye’ because of the rawness and originality of his funny jokes.
Even though he started the comic business in 2008, the Delta State-born humour merchant has no doubt surpassed most of his colleagues that were there before him. The surprising thing about this outstanding act is the obvious transformation he has gained since he got his first breakthrough in 2010.
He got married to his lovely wife, Josephine Abraham on the 14th of November 2015
AWARDS AND ENDORSEMENTS
Nominated for several awards and won many
