Veteran Nigerian comedian, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, has stated that some people now liquidate their investments to leave the country.
He also stated that many people in the entertainment industry had left the country in the last few years.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels TV’s Sunrise programme, Ali Baba stated that some of the people who left the country could have survived Nigeria’s current economic realities with the talents and opportunities they had.
He said, “When I said unpredictable, it is that some things that have been happening are things that people have not prepared for.
“So, you found out that people are now dipping their hands into savings, if there were any, and trying to manage their resources.
“Also, between January and now, out of 10 people that I said ‘they would not Japa’, you just hear somebody call you later and say, ‘Oh, you know, I’ve not been around’.
“And you say, okay, ‘when are you coming back?’ And they say they’re not coming back.
“I know about four comedians who have travelled and many more in entertainment who have travelled.
“The sad thing is that some of these people who are travelling are some people who seemingly could have survived in the economy because of the talent that they had; the potential, and the opportunities that had come to them.”
The ace comedian also narrated how his friend left the country to give his children a better life.
“So, when you find those kinds of people leaving, they’re now thinking, ‘What do I have over these people that I’m still here? Right? Is it patriotism? Is it family ties? Is it hope? Is it expectation?’
“But many people are liquidating investments and travelling,” Alibaba said.
“A friend of mine traveled two days after Valentine’s Day. We had a Valentine’s party, and he was there. Everything was okay.
“And then he called me in May to say, ‘Ah, how are you? How are you? How’s Nigeria?”
