by Akan Ido

Multi-talented artiste, Cobhams Asuquo speaks to the Punch about his childhood, his love for music, his status as a visually impaired artiste and his desire for the gift of sight.

Read excerpts from the revealing interview below:

When asked about his relationship wit his father who was a military man, Asuquo replied saying, “My father was a good man. He taught me things I needed to know when I did not need to know them. My father taught me the theories of how to use a gun and how to drive. I’m the only blind person in my family and I was not treated differently.

“The same way my father taught my siblings basic survival instinct was the same with me. He always had answers to random questions. He was my go-to man, if he did not have answers immediately, he would come back the following day with answers. He was a walking encyclopaedia of knowledge and he knew a lot. He enriched me greatly. Both my parents did. I am a product of love; they had answers to my questions because I was a young and curious mind. My vast wealth of knowledge is because of them.

So much love was shown to you while growing. How did you feel when they sent you to a boarding house in primary school?

It was the only primary school that was offering the kind of quality education that my parents were looking for. It was necessary to reform me and prepare me for the next level. I don’t think it was a question of love or lack thereof. I think it was necessary and what I had to go through. I completely hated it and wanted to drop out in primary two but it helped me in my life. It was important that my education was rounded in terms of mobility and orientation. The school was to help me navigate my way around life and Pacelli  was the one at that time that could give me that.

If you were given the gift of sight, do you think you would have been this big a brand?

I don’t know to be quite honest. That would involve turning back the hands of time. I have met some amazing people in life and I think so far, I have lived a glorious life and I continue to live an amazing life. I am not sure I want to turn back the hands of time for anything, not even for the gift of sight.

Were there times you wish you had the gift of sight?

None that I can remember. I think I have overcome the desire for sight. I know it is a beautiful thing and it is absolutely necessary. Life is interesting and you do not know what it is going to throw at you, and for me, I am grateful for the gift of life. I enjoy my life and I don’t think I sit and imagine what my life would be like if I could see. Quite honestly, I want to see for stupid reasons. I want to see because I want to learn how to play golf. I am an optimist by nature and I don’t think I walk around saying I want to see. One other reason I would really love to have sight is to see my wife’s face but I have the privilege of touching it which is much better than seeing it.