By Nelson Egware
The Dome Event Centre, Asaba, pulsed with nostalgia, gratitude and unrestrained laughter on Friday, November 21, as the iconic Nite of a Thousand Laughs celebrated its 30th anniversary.
What began three decades ago as a daring experiment by Delta-born filmmaker and impresario, Dr. Opa Williams, has grown into Africa’s longest-running comedy franchise, a cultural institution whose legacy returned home in grand style on this milestone night.
Among the dignitaries who gave the evening its emotional depth was Chief Fidelis Tilije, former MD/CEO of Fortune Bank and currently Delta State Commissioner for Finance as well as Director General of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Chief Patrick Ukah.
Fortune Bank was the first corporate sponsor of Nite of a Thousand Laughs, but beyond that historic partnership, Tilije’s unscripted tribute to Williams became one of the night’s most powerful moments.
Taking the microphone for what the audience expected to be a formal address, Tilije instead chose a tender, deeply personal recollection.
“We need you to give this young man a good life, and then you can see your security,” he began, turning to Williams with a smile steeped in decades of shared history.
He spoke of meeting a young Opa Williams, a dreamer working from a “small room,” armed with little more than ambition and an artistry that seemed larger than life.
“I saw you,” Tilije said softly. “And I said to myself, I will use you in the studio. He didn’t know what I was going to do. He had big dreams that his hustle, his art, his small room would one day be successful.”
That modest room, Tilije reflected, became the cradle of a revolution, birthing billion-naira creative ventures, launching stars and shaping what is today the modern Nigerian comedy economy. His gratitude was simple but weighty:
“Dr. Opa Williams, we thank you very much. I’m sure you are happy today.”
If Tilije provided the emotional backbone of the celebration, the comedy giants in attendance supplied the firepower. AY (Ayo Makun), one of Africa’s most commercially successful comedians, stormed the stage with his trademark spark.
“Give it up for the only Opa Williams!” he thundered, recalling how Williams encouraged him in his early days.
The night also featured an emotional electronic tribute by Julius Agwu, and a star-studded roll call of comedy royalty: Gandoki, I Go Dye, I Go Save, Seriki Dariya, Kome, MC Casino, Mr Paul Comedian, MC Royal, Maleke, among others talents whose careers were shaped, elevated or inspired by Williams’ platform. Each paused during their sets to honour the man widely regarded as the godfather of mainstream Nigerian comedy.
When Dr. Williams finally addressed the audience, it was with the familiar humility of a man more committed to building others than celebrating himself.
“Thank you for these guys, thank you for all your talents,” he said, crediting the generations of comedians who rose from the foundation he laid.
He honoured industry legends who began the journey with him but have since passed — Chico Ejiro, Sammy Okposo, Mohammed Danjuma, Reginald Ebere, Azubuike Udensi, and the spiritual support of his late wife, Rev. Patricia Williams, praying for their eternal rest.
Williams also acknowledged corporate partners — MTN, IDL and Guinness whose steadfast support sustained the franchise through the decades.
A particularly touching highlight was the spontaneous wave of financial contributions from veteran and contemporary comedians, a gesture of solidarity that underscored how deeply Williams’ influence runs across generations.
The 30th anniversary also felt like a symbolic homecoming. Asaba alongside Warri, has long been considered a spiritual base of Nigerian comedy.
Williams reminded the audience of the legendary Warri “wording” culture: fast wit, unfiltered humour and razor-sharp street intelligence.
Nite of a Thousand Laughs became the bridge that carried that raw brilliance from the streets to national and eventually continental acclaim.
By the time the lights dimmed and the applause faded, one truth stood clear: comedy is more than entertainment. It is a story of grit, mentorship, community and enterprise. And on this historic night, those stories of humble beginnings, breakout moments, companionship, loss and triumph came alive once again.
Through Tilije’s heartfelt recollections. Through the gratitude of comedy superstars. Through Williams’ quiet pride in an empire built from a “small room.”
And as Chief Tilije concluded with reassuring conviction: “Don’t worry. Be free. You will see the light of day.” For Dr. Opa Williams and for the comedy movement he sparked, that light now shines brighter than ever across Africa.
