From the moment I heard the announcement that the event had been postponed, I just knew it was going to flop. And honestly, Nigerian comedian Sabinus’ show in Liberia turned out to be exactly that, a huge disappointment. But let’s be real, this wasn’t just about bad luck. The failure of this event reflects a much bigger problem: poor planning and execution, which seems to be the norm for a lot of big events here in Liberia.
Here’s the thing: organizing an event isn’t rocket science, but it does take some basic effort. Too often, organizers fail to get the fundamentals right. You need good marketing, proper planning, effective publicity, and most importantly, collaboration. Without these things, even the biggest name in entertainment can’t save your event.
Let’s not forget what happened with the Davido event earlier this year. It was hyped up to be one of the biggest shows, but in the end, it didn’t happen. Why? Poor publicity and lack of engagement. His team saw the cracks in the plan and wisely decided to pull out. It’s a lesson that should have been learned: if you’re bringing an international star to Liberia, you have to do the work to make sure everything is on point.
Now let’s talk about Sabinus’ event. Here’s my question: why would you bring such a big name to Liberia and not involve the people who actually know the market? Local comedians, promoters, content creators, and influencers are the ones who connect directly with the audience. They’re the bridge between your event and the people you’re trying to reach. By ignoring them, the organizers basically cut off their own lifeline.
It’s not about promotion, it’s about building excitement and making the event feel relatable. When you work with local talent, you create a buzz that people can’t ignore. You build a sense of community around the event. But when you leave these key players out, it’s like putting up a billboard in the desert, no one’s going to see it, let alone care.
And then there’s the timing. The event was scheduled to start at 2 PM, but Sabinus didn’t show up until 10 PM. Eight hours late for a comedy show! This isn’t a music concert where people might stick around waiting for the headliner. Comedy thrives on timing, energy, and engagement. By the time he arrived, most of the crowd was either gone or completely over it. How can you expect people to enjoy the show when they’ve spent the whole day waiting?
To make matters worse, the show was scheduled on the same day as two other big events that have been around for years. These events already have their own loyal audiences. Competing with them without offering something truly special or unique was a terrible move. It’s almost like the organizers didn’t even bother to check what else was happening that day. Timing is everything in event planning, and they got it completely wrong.
The truth is, no matter how big the name on the flyer, a poorly planned event will always fail. Sabinus is a huge star, but that wasn’t enough to save this show. To pull off a successful event, you need to put in the work. Collaborate with local talent, promote your event effectively, and, most importantly, respect your audience’s time. If these basics are ignored, the results will always be the same: empty seats and disappointed fans.