The comedy business
has continued to record unprecedented growth in the entertainment industry in Nigeria, particularly in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital as there is hardly any social event in the Garden City without a comedy show that attracts large crowd of fans and other fun seekers, while the comedians smile to the banks at the end of the day.
The year 2013 turned out to be one of the most lucrative year  for most of the popular and A-List humour merchants who organised shows or featured in comedy events in the city as they recorded huge successes following the mammoth crowd that turned out for the events, especially during the last Yuletide most of the organisers sold out all their tickets, while those invited to perform at the events were handsomely paid.
One of  the popular comedians who participated in   almost all the comic events, Mr. Ubi Emmanuel, a.k.a Rugged Pastor who spoke with The Tide Entertainment recently, said “Last year was good for entertainers and show biz personalities particularly those in the comedy industry, because there was hardly any social event without a comedy event.
According to him, “comedy now dominates the entertainment business in Port Harcourt because of the popular acceptance by the public. He noted that comedians are always invited at social events to spice it up including musical shows, so there exist a sort of collaboration between the artistes and the comedians.
He, however, noted that most times people just attend events to relax and laugh with their loved ones without dancing. He stressed that last year comedy shows dominated in the state as there were several comedy events which included: Ay show, crack your Ribs by Julius Agwu, Dan D’Humorous comedy event, Prince Hezekiah and Night of a thousand laughs amongst others.
He noted that comedy has come to stay as a profession to be reckoned with in the entertainment clan, unlike in the past when comedians were seen as court jesters school drop outs and paid peanuts, but today most of them are university graduates, well paid, highly successful and international super stars. So the stone the builders rejected had become the head corner stone.
According to him people now appreciate the fact that it is not easy to make, people laugh and when you laugh, you relax the mind and live long. He contended that comedy requires creativity, God gives talent, but you build it with your capacity and also seek more knowledge for you to actualize your dreams.
The Ikwerre Rivers State born popular A list humour merchant said comedy has brought him to the limelight with various achievements including a brand new Toyota Camery Car which he took delivery of last year, he thanked his fans and other fun seeker who came out to support them. He also thanked the state government for creating an enabling environment that had made the business to thrive.