Akpororo

{{Infobox person

| name = Akpororo

| image = Nigerian Role Model Awards 3 (cropped).jpg

| birth_name = Bowoto Jephthah Oluwatiseyifumi Tanimola

| nationality = Nigerian

| occupation = stand-up comedian, vocalist and actor

}}

Bowoto Jephthah Oluwatiseyifumi Tanimola, popularly known as Akpororo, is a Nigerian stand-up comedian, vocalist and actor.{{cite web|url=http://encomium.ng/i-am-waiting-for-a-woman-who-will-pay-my-groom-price-akpororo/|title=‘I am waiting for a woman who will pay my groom price’ – Akpororo|work=Ecomium Magazine|last=Ayodele|first=Temitope|date=26 March 2015|accessdate=28 June 2016}}

Early life and career

Akpororo is a native of Ilaje, Ondo State, southwest Nigeria but he was born and brought up in Warri, a city in Delta State, south-south Nigeria where he had his early education.{{cite news|url=http://nationalweekender.net/i-test-my-jokes-in-clubs-akpororo/|title=I Test My Jokes in Clubs – Akpororo|work=National Weekender|last=Ayodele|first=Ogunojemite|date=9 May 2014|accessdate=28 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817182049/http://nationalweekender.net/i-test-my-jokes-in-clubs-akpororo/|archive-date=17 August 2016|url-status=dead}} His career started off as a local gospel musician until in 2008 when he went into the National Comedy Challenge by Opa Williams and went on to win the Calabar zone of the competition.{{cite news|url=http://dailypost.ng/2015/11/04/i-cried-when-they-paid-me-money-that-changed-my-life-akpororo/|title=I cried when they paid me money that changed my life – Akpororo|work=Daily Post News|author=Ameh Comrade Godwin|date=4 November 2015|accessdate=28 June 2016}}

In 2009, Akpororo moved to Lagos and contested twice in the AY's Open Mic Challenge, coming second in his first try and winning the competition in his second try. He rose to popularity in 2013 following his performance at "Basketmouth's Laff and Jam" show and went on to perform in several comedy shows including "AY Live". He is 5 ft, 7 inches.{{cite web|url=http://www.tori.ng/news/4103/hunger-pushed-me-to-start-comedy-akpororo.html|title=Hunger Pushed Me To Start Comedy - Akpororo|publisher=Tori News|author=Daniel|date=11 July 2015|accessdate=28 June 2016}} On 12 August 2014, he staged his first major comedy show "Akpororo vs Akpororo" at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre. The maiden event saw the attendance of notable musical acts and comedians.{{cite news|url=http://dailymail.com.ng/popular-comedian-bowoto-jephta-aka-akpororo-brings-akpororo-vs-akpororo-to-lagos/|title=Popular comedian, Bowoto Jephta, AKA Akpororo: Brings Akpororo Vs Akpororo’ To Lagos|work=Daily Mail (Nigeria)|author=Sean|date=12 August 2014|accessdate=28 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817065345/http://dailymail.com.ng/popular-comedian-bowoto-jephta-aka-akpororo-brings-akpororo-vs-akpororo-to-lagos/|archive-date=17 August 2016|url-status=dead}}

In 2014, Akpororo delved into acting, starring in the films Headgone and The Antique; with the former earning him three nominations at the 2015 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards.{{cite web|url=http://dailymail.com.ng/new-nollywood-movie-the-antique-starring-olu-jacobs-bimbo-akintola-premieres-oct-19th/|title=New Nollywood Movie ‘The Antique’ Starring Olu Jacobs, Bimbo Akintola premieres Oct. 19th|work=Daily Mail|date=15 October 2014|accessdate=28 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817054108/http://dailymail.com.ng/new-nollywood-movie-the-antique-starring-olu-jacobs-bimbo-akintola-premieres-oct-19th/|archive-date=17 August 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2014/11/hilarious-sound-sultan-ali-baba-basketmouth-2face-idibia-more-stars-feature-in-head-gone-watch-trailer/|title=Hilarious! Sound Sultan, Ali Baba, Basketmouth, 2face Idibia & More Stars Feature in 'Head Gone'. Watch Trailer|work=BellaNaija|last=Ade-Unuigbe|first=Adesola|date=11 November 2014|accessdate=28 June 2016}}

Artistry

His style of comedy is basically the fusion of secular and church-related jokes. In an interview, he revealed that he performs and cracks jokes about lunatics because he was once an attendant to mentally-ill people who came to the church he was attending for spiritual healing.{{cite web|url=http://eraveng.com/2013/10/05/akpororo-my-former-liaison-with-lunatics-inspired-my-jokes/|title=Akpororo: My Former Liaison With Lunatics Inspired My Jokes|work=Entertainment Rave Newspapers|date=5 October 2013|accessdate=28 June 2016}}

Endorsement deals

In June 2015, he signed a 2-year endorsement deal with telecommunication company Airtel Nigeria.{{cite web|url=http://encomium.ng/comedian-akpororo-shares-his-joy-at-airtel-deal-new-range-rover-and-more/|title=Comedian, Akpororo shares his joy at Airtel deal, new Range Rover and more|work=Ecomium Magazine|last=Nwokike|first=Michael|date=8 August 2015|accessdate=28 June 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://expressng.com/2015/06/2face-idibia-phyno-patoranking-akpororo-ik-osakioduwa-unveiled-as-airtel-nigeria-brand-ambassadors/|title=2face Idibia, Phyno, Patoranking, Akpororo & Ik Osakioduwa Unveiled As Airtel Nigeria Brand Ambassadors|work=Entertainment Express|last=Ayeotan|first=Shola|date=12 June 2015|accessdate=28 June 2016}}

Awards and nominations

class ="wikitable"
Year !Award ceremony !Prize !Result !Ref
rowspan="2"\|2016 \|2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards \|Best Comedy Act \|{{nom}} \| {{cite news\|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2016/06/nominations-are-here-find-out-who-made-the-2016-nigerian-entertainment-awards-nominees-list/\|title=Nominations are Here! Find out who Made the 2016 Nigerian Entertainment Awards Nominees List\|work=BellaNaija\|date=16 June 2016\|accessdate=3 July 2016}}
2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards \|Best Actor in a Comedy \|{{nom}} \| {{cite news\|url=https://thenet.ng/ik-ogbonna-akpororo-falz-battle-for-amvca-best-comic-actor/\|title=IK Ogbonna, Akpororo, Falz battle for AMVCA Best Comic Actor\|work=Nigerian Entertainment Today\|last=Badmus\|first=Kayode\|date=12 December 2015\|access-date=3 July 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202010047/http://thenet.ng/2015/12/ik-ogbonna-akpororo-falz-battle-for-amvca-best-comic-actor/\|archive-date=2 February 2016\|url-status=live}}
rowspan="4"\|2015 \|2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards \|Comedy Act of the Year \|{{nom}} \|{{cite news\|url=https://www.naij.com/459437-olamide-tops-nigeria-entertainent-awards-nominee-list.html\|title=Olamide Tops Nigeria {{sic\|hide=y\|reason=spelling error in source headline\|Entertainent}} Awards Nominees' List\|work=Naij\|date=17 June 2015\|accessdate=3 July 2016}}
rowspan="3"\|2015 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards \|Best Comedic Act \|{{won}} \|{{cite news\|url=http://pulse.ng/events/golden-icons-academy-awards-2015-check-full-list-of-winners-id4275827.html\|title=Golden Icons Academy Awards 2015: Check full list of winners\|work=Pulse Nigeria\|last=Lawal\|first=Fa'ud\|date=20 October 2015\|accessdate=3 July 2016}}
Best New Actor \|{{nom}} \|
Best Comedic Act (View's Choice) \|{{nom}} \|
rowspan="3"\|2014 \|2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards \|Comedy Act of the Year \|{{nom}} \|{{cite news\|url=https://thenet.ng/tiwa-savage-davido-top-nigerian-entertainment-awards-2014-nominees-list/\|title=Tiwa Savage, Davido top Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2014 nominees list\|work=Nigerian Entertainment Today\|last=Osagie\|first=Along\|date=29 May 2014\|access-date=3 July 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313195835/http://thenet.ng/2014/05/tiwa-savage-davido-top-nigerian-entertainment-awards-2014-nominees-list/\|archive-date=13 March 2016\|url-status=live}}
2014 BEN Television Awards \|Comedian of the Year \|{{nom}} \|{{cite news\|url=https://www.360nobs.com/2014/10/nominees-announced-for-ben-tv-awards/\|title=Nominees Announced For Ben TV Awards\|work=360Nobs\|author=Mayowa Wana George\|date=1 October 2014\|accessdate=3 July 2016}}
2014 Naija FM Comedy Awards \|Best Comedian of the Year \|{{won}} \|{{cite news\|url=http://pulse.ng/movies/bovi-ay-akpororo-wale-adenuga-all-the-winners-from-the-2014-naija-fm-comedy-awards-id3242234.html\|title=Bovi, AY, Akpororo, Wale Adenuga: All The Winners From The 2014 Naija FM Comedy Awards\|work=Pulse Nigeria\|last=Akan\|first=Joey\|date=3 February 2014\|accessdate=3 July 2016}}

class ="wikitable"

Year

!Award ceremony

!Prize

!Result

!Ref

rowspan="2"|2016

|2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards

|Best Comedy Act

|{{nom}}

| {{cite news|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2016/06/nominations-are-here-find-out-who-made-the-2016-nigerian-entertainment-awards-nominees-list/|title=Nominations are Here! Find out who Made the 2016 Nigerian Entertainment Awards Nominees List|work=BellaNaija|date=16 June 2016|accessdate=3 July 2016}}

2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards

|Best Actor in a Comedy

|{{nom}}

| {{cite news|url=https://thenet.ng/ik-ogbonna-akpororo-falz-battle-for-amvca-best-comic-actor/|title=IK Ogbonna, Akpororo, Falz battle for AMVCA Best Comic Actor|work=Nigerian Entertainment Today|last=Badmus|first=Kayode|date=12 December 2015|access-date=3 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202010047/http://thenet.ng/2015/12/ik-ogbonna-akpororo-falz-battle-for-amvca-best-comic-actor/|archive-date=2 February 2016|url-status=live}}

rowspan="4"|2015

|2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards

|Comedy Act of the Year

|{{nom}}

|{{cite news|url=https://www.naij.com/459437-olamide-tops-nigeria-entertainent-awards-nominee-list.html|title=Olamide Tops Nigeria {{sic|hide=y|reason=spelling error in source headline|Entertainent}} Awards Nominees' List|work=Naij|date=17 June 2015|accessdate=3 July 2016}}

rowspan="3"|2015 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards

|Best Comedic Act

|{{won}}

|{{cite news|url=http://pulse.ng/events/golden-icons-academy-awards-2015-check-full-list-of-winners-id4275827.html|title=Golden Icons Academy Awards 2015: Check full list of winners|work=Pulse Nigeria|last=Lawal|first=Fa'ud|date=20 October 2015|accessdate=3 July 2016}}

Best New Actor

|{{nom}}

Best Comedic Act (View's Choice)

|{{nom}}

rowspan="3"|2014

|2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards

|Comedy Act of the Year

|{{nom}}

|{{cite news|url=https://thenet.ng/tiwa-savage-davido-top-nigerian-entertainment-awards-2014-nominees-list/|title=Tiwa Savage, Davido top Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2014 nominees list|work=Nigerian Entertainment Today|last=Osagie|first=Along|date=29 May 2014|access-date=3 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313195835/http://thenet.ng/2014/05/tiwa-savage-davido-top-nigerian-entertainment-awards-2014-nominees-list/|archive-date=13 March 2016|url-status=live}}

2014 BEN Television Awards

|Comedian of the Year

|{{nom}}

|{{cite news|url=https://www.360nobs.com/2014/10/nominees-announced-for-ben-tv-awards/|title=Nominees Announced For Ben TV Awards|work=360Nobs|author=Mayowa Wana George|date=1 October 2014|accessdate=3 July 2016}}

2014 Naija FM Comedy Awards

|Best Comedian of the Year

|{{won}}

|{{cite news|url=http://pulse.ng/movies/bovi-ay-akpororo-wale-adenuga-all-the-winners-from-the-2014-naija-fm-comedy-awards-id3242234.html|title=Bovi, AY, Akpororo, Wale Adenuga: All The Winners From The 2014 Naija FM Comedy Awards|work=Pulse Nigeria|last=Akan|first=Joey|date=3 February 2014|accessdate=3 July 2016}}

Personal life

He is married to Josephine Ijeoma Abraham, following their wedding in Surulere, Lagos State on 14 November 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2015/11/first-look-star-comedian-akpororo-josephine-abrahams-white-wedding/|title=First Look! Star Comedian Akpororo & Josephine Abraham's Wedding|work=BellaNaija|date=14 November 2015|accessdate=28 June 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://citypeopleng.com/akpororo-my-wifes-brilliance-got-me-attracted-to-her/|title=Akpororo: "My Wife’s Brilliance Got Me Attracted To Her"|work=City People Magazine|date=22 November 2015|accessdate=28 June 2016|archive-date=15 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515234059/http://citypeopleng.com/akpororo-my-wifes-brilliance-got-me-attracted-to-her/|url-status=dead}} He is a student of Lagos State University where he is studying Sociology.