After 16 years dedicated to building the premier comedy show, Nite of A Thousand Laughs, comedy merchant and the man reputed to be the founding father of modern day stand up comedy in Nigeria, Opa Williams, is taking a bow.

This shocking news was contained in a statement signed by his media company, Media Image Managers, MIM. Williams, a movie producer and director, is resting Nite Of A Thousand Laughs. Consequently, the pan Nigeria show will have its last editions on December 26 in Benin and January 1 in Port Harcourt.

An
emotional Williams said in his office that the decision to stop the show that has brought him fame and fortune as well as served as a launch pad to all popular stand up comedians like Julius Agwu, Basket Mouth and I Go Dye among many others, was “a hard one.”



Opa Williams

And why would Opa Williams take such a hard decision after 16 successful years of taking the show to Europe and across Africa? “When we started Nite of A Thousand Laughs in 1995, we were the only comedy show, we were the real, and Nigerians witnessed something fresh and unique.

“Jokes were original and audience members actually laughed a ‘thousand’ times. Consequently, the show produced superstar stand comedians who got their first break on the stage of Nite Of A Thousand Laughs. These comedians went ahead to start their own shows.”

These shows became a recreation of Nite Of A Thousand Laughs. It turned out to be a ‘see one, see all shows’ situation. “The fallout is that the audience members paid dearly for this as they are short changed without knowing it.

As a pioneer, in fact the arrow head of the comedy revolution in Nigeria, I decided I won’t be part of this audience short changing scheme anymore, so Nite of A Thousand Laughs is stepping aside, to retain its dignity,” an emotion laden Williams said.

He brushed aside the insinuation that competition is forcing him out of the game he founded.

[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWIdo-qedJA&feature=related[/flash]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. . . .
I enjoyed every bit of them.
I am fortunate to have purchased 10 copies each of volume 1-20.
It was time to say goodbye for real.

The comedians had 'maxed-out' on their funny bones.

I will miss "OmoBaba" who only appeared in one or two shows. Volume 2 I think!

Thank You Opal Williams for gracing my home with much laughter! 

[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJfwPZmqRa4[/flash]

[size=20pt]OMOBABA!!![/size]

[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoeLnzn3Vjc&feature=related[/flash]

[size=20pt]GORDONS!!![/size]

[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBmzo9vXrb4[/flash]

[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvn8XIQqXLY&feature=related[/flash]

[size=20pt]BASKET MOUTH SENIOR!!! [/size]

[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvn8XIQqXLY&feature=related[/flash]


[size=20pt]GANDOKI AND BASKET MOUTH SENIOR![/size]

[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WFefZ2RBKo&feature=related[/flash]

[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-OzdyfiRBE&feature=related[/flash]

[size=20pt]I GO DIE!!!![/size]

[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc2XXoc3YNA&feature=related[/flash]

[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWR9U1M_0f8&feature=related[/flash]

[size=20pt]BASKET MOUTH JUNIOR!!![/size]

[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu9xzYV-62c[/flash]

[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q_BvLRxRP8[/flash]

[size=20pt]. . . .And the winner is. . . MALEKE!!!!![/size]

When it comes to comedy. . .YOU CANNOT BEAT THE SOUTH SOUTH!!!!

Tribute to "A Night of A Thousand Laughs". . . .Thank You Opal Williams. I love y'awl my FUNNY FACES!!!!!

[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTDsKtG23JE&feature=related[/flash]

Opal Williams. . .Thank you for giving our SOUTH SOUTHERN BROTHERS AND SISTERS A CHANCE IN NIGERIA.

YOU RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROCK!!!!

See how many people branched out because of you. . . I thank you!

[size=20pt]Tribute to AY!!!![/size]


[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCBQ2VgEnJs&feature=related[/flash]

[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS_Arwr3Klc&feature=related[/flash]

[flash=500,500]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w7yJ3fOatc&feature=rellist&playnext=1&list=PL9CA24ACEF48A620C[/flash]


God bless you Opal Williams!!!!