It’s said that laughter is the best medicine, and Rivers State got a double dose of it last Sunday, October 12, as the ‘Night Of A Thousand Laughs’, a comedy event founded by Opa Williams in 1995, recently rocked the state capital, Port Harcourt, with its 30th anniversary edition, leaving attendees in stitches.

The comedy extravaganza which has become a staple in Nigeria’s entertainment scene, consistently bringing together established comedians and up-and-coming talents. Its success can be attributed to its ability to blend humour with cultural relevance, making it a beloved experience for attendees.

It’s on this premise that residents of the oil rich state, especially Port Harcourt also known as ‘Pitakwa’ believes that the best way to get the state moving as it gradually settles in after the six-month emergency rule is through laughter.

Powered by MTN Enterprise, a subsidiary of MTN Nigeria, the show, which kicked off with a red carpet and a star-studded lineup of comedians that included: Gandoki, Klint da Drunk, MC Edo Pikin, Mr Paul, Arinze Baba, had a flux of guests who beat the heavy downpour to make their evening worth the while.

Explaining the rationale for their support of event, Regional Sales Manager, South-South MTN Enterprise, Esosa Olu-Osifo, said, “We decided to partner with Night of a Thousand Laughs to ensure that Port Harcourt people have the opportunity to unwind after a very stressful state of emergency.”

She noted that the enterprise has a history of giving back to the community, and Night of a Thousand Laughs is part of their ongoing efforts. “We have been doing a lot of things in the last few months. We hosted a golf tournament in July, the Bole Festival in August, and now Night of a Thousand Laughs in October. We always try to give back to the community where we work,” Olu-Osifo added.

Speaking shortly after his performance, Gbadamosi Jonathan, popularly known as MC Edo Pikin, said Port Harcourt is home to him, and it felt good to give back through comedy. “Port Harcourt is a home for me. Pitakwa is a place of entertainment and they welcome everybody. Every time I’m here, I feel as if I’m in Edo State.”

For Faith Spence, hosting the comedy show in Port Harcourt was a big deal, as it brought positive memories. “I am super excited; Night of a Thousand Laughs is something we have always looked up to growing up as children. When I heard that it’s coming to Port Harcourt, I said I must be here.”

Another guest, Jane Andrew, expressed satisfaction with the atmosphere. She thanked the sponsors for bringing the old-time comedians to bring laughter to their doorstep. “It’s been a long time since we had Night of a Thousand Laughs. I feel good, I feel happy when I heard the show was coming to Port Harcourt. I feel so happy being here to hear old jokes.”

Over the years, the event has provided a platform for comedians like Basketmouth, Bovi and AY to showcase their skills, helping to launch the careers of several notable figures in the entertainment industry.