Even Though I Can’t See My Wife I Know When She Makes Her Hair

Timorous, he falters into the recording studio. As a teen just out of secondary school his picturesque mind is colourful. With juvenile hands, his dexterous fingers caress the keyboard exuding the spontaneity of a guru. The artful boy produces a sonorous sound. Soulful, beautiful and wonderful, he keeps a boisterous studio quiet. His music is irresistible; its flow, unstoppable. His blinking hardly opened eyes shine like twinkling stars in midnight sky. As the years roll by, he gets better at what he’s always known how to do best: to play music, to write and to produce songs. He’s not a magician, though he’s got a magical touch to his works whether he’s singing, writing or producing songs. His life’s story reels on reality made out of impossibility. Award-winning and sought after home and abroad, Cobhams Asuquo is a humble legend in Nigeria. Born blind, he commands respect rather than seek pity. Talented, he has succeeded in polishing the talents of others. The Chief Executive Officer of CAMP (Cobhams Asuquo Music Production) in this interview with Oge Ezeliora talks about his love of music, ingenuity, his escapades and how he feels the beauty of the love of his life

You are arguably Nigeria’s number one music producer; why did you choose music? (Laughs) Yeah, my life is counting and if I am not into it, then I am wasting my time. Is what I know how best to do. This is my passion and this is me. I feel like I am doing what I love to do. I am fortunate doing what I am doing because if you are not into something and that is what you are doing, it is a waste of time. I don’t know if it is the same for everybody because there are a lot of bankers or people who do other businesses, who would rather do music. I like music and I’m doing it. I don’t take it for granted.

Do you do anything outside of music?

Yes, I do a few things outside of music. I love to, or rather I should say I get to speak to people – it’s the most unnerving thing I do because I run away from it up until I get to do it. I never wanted to do it. As a matter of fact, one of my most widely circulated speeches was given at Tedtalk, and I was going to cancel the appointment a few days before the event. I prayed I would miss the flight. I’m just generally nervous before I give a speech, but for some weird reason it turned out well. So, yes, I get to speak. I can’t say with boldness that I love to speak. But what I do know is that if I don’t speak, I regret it because I realise that I have a lot to say, and I might have missed the opportunity to say it. But afterwards, I’m happy because I realise there is a lot of truth in what I say; I can be expressive. I will never think of myself as a motivational speaker, no. It’s a very overrated title. I have a thing for real estate. I also have a thing for radio. I am not doing much of that right now, but I actually was with Rhythm 93.7 for a short while as an on-air-personality.

When exactly this love for music start and what inspired you?

It started as a child. I don’t remember (exactly) when but I had always known that I love music. I have been in and out of choir and I never really sang solo because singing was never my thing. And when I joined the choir, it was as an organist or something else and I only sang when it was necessary. God is the source of my inspiration. He inspires me through the things and people around me. I could wake up in the morning and the inspiration to write a song hits me and I get right to it. I would probably grab the closest recording device near me like my phone and put down my ideas.

You have a good voice; why don’t you sing often?

Thanks. I do sing but not all the time. I can express myself with my voice. Whether it is good or not, all I know is that I can sing even better than (some) other musicians.

How does it feel settling down as a married man?

It is relief, joy and happiness; because for marriage, one may never really know how beautiful it is until one gets into it. For me, it has been amazing and beautiful. It is such a rewarding experience, especially when married to the right person. I found strength, support, hope and just the reason to be grateful for being married. I have a fantastic wife and I try as much as possible to be a fantastic husband to her and a wonderful dad to my son. My wife deserves the best and so much love. The truth is that in marriage even if the other person doesn’t give as much, they still deserve to be loved because it’s a commitment to be kept for the rest of one’s life. How much more when you get this much goodness! It’s been good and made me more responsible.

How did you know she was the right person?

I guess you just know. You have to be sensitive and look out for certain elements. We had been friends for about a decade even though we only started dating few years ago. I guess throughout that period of friendship it was a good enough time for us to take in who we are. I know and also have many good people, but she is just an exceptional, amazing person.

What makes her extraordinary?

The love in her heart isn’t just for one person (me). She loves people. She isn’t just kind to me; she’s kind to all. She is a straightforward, honest person. I think the fact that she cares about people in general is a major attraction. Often, people judge love by how it is shown to them. It’s easy to love me, but how easy can you love the people around me? I am a people’s person and she is such an amazing person who hasn’t just accepted me but the people around me also. She loves God and people. Everything else we can work along the way, because once there is love

for God, people and humility, it is easy to take to correction and want to be a better person.

Do you in anyway feel unworthy of her?

Sometimes I do. When she quit her job in one of the leading telecommunication companies in the country, I just thought she had made a major sacrifice. I know I deserve good things as a human being, but sometimes when I look at her, her person and the things she had done, it is nothing short of amazing and I am grateful to God. She is my world.

Let’s talk about family life. How are you coping?

I think family life is beautiful, and it is an amazing place to be because I am inspired by its daily affairs. It is an opportunity to give, to be responsible, to be loved and cared for, and I get a lot of that. So, I would say that family life is beautiful and it gets better as the days go by.

Does your wife stay with you most of the time?

My wife and I work together in the same business – Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions – where she acts as our business head after she resigned her appointment in a telecommunication company. It has been an amazing experience just getting to relate with her on a different front rather than the home; just getting to bounce ideas and helping the company grow. It brings even more value to the table as far as the two of us are concerned.

Do you do normal romantic stuff?

(Yes) Of course! I am a die-hard