Port Harcourt based Radio
presenter and top class stand up comedian, Diplomatic  Akas Baba of 94.1 Wazobia FM Port Harcourt, has rated comedians based in The Garden City better than their colleagues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria in terms of raw talent, creativity and stage performance.
The popular rib cracker who stated this at the ‘Man Must Laugh’ Comedy show organised by another ace comedian Emmanuel Ubi AKA Rugged Pastor and Friends at the official opening of R. Lounge  and Karoke bar of Read Hotels and Towers Rukpokwu last Sunday noted that Port Harcourt residents like comedy and also appreciate the efforts of the comedians that is why comedy dominates most social events in the state.
He however, observed that one of the greatest challenges facing the comedians in the state is poor performance fees  compared to what their colleagues in Lagos receive even though the Port Harcourt comedians perform better than they do in Lagos.
He said this attitude must change because it is not easy to crack jokes that will make people laugh, it requires talent and creativity, so comedians need to be rewarded adequately.
Akas Baba who started comedy in 1997 has performed in great comedy events across the country alongside great personalities in the humour trade such as I go die, I go save, Candoki, Sunny Baba, Arinze Baba, Basket Mouth Etc. He stressed that comedy is a talent, not a choice, but most unemployed young men now do comedy even when it is obvious that they do not have the talent and what it takes to be a comedian. He said the only motivating factor for them is to make money.
He however,  contended that with the ongoing creativity and rebranding in the industry, it is quite certain that the future will be better than what is existing in the industry today, because by then the core professionals will be separated from the quacks and their will be standard and respect in the industry.
Another Radio Presenter and Comedian Mr. Akpos of Waziobia FM Port Harcourt who also performed at the event, said comedy business is growing in Port Harcourt because people have realized that they have the right to laugh and enjoy themselves despite the harsh economic conditions. According to him, comedy. Made him what he is today, it has given him popularity and the opportunity to meet and interact with top personalities across the country.
The organizer of the event Rugged Pastor expressed gratitude to the management and staff of Read Hotels and Towers for given him the opportunity to showcase his talent and his colleagues for their support which made the event a huge success as well as the media for their wide coverage of the event. He said the event will be a regular feature in the hotel every weekend.