The Gift of Blindness: Cobhams Asuquo at TEDxEuston

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  • Опубліковано 31 лип 2024
  • Cobhams Asuquo is a singer/songwriter/music producer and music entrepreneur. After graduating from the Pacelli School for the Blind and King's College Lagos, he started his professional training as a lawyer, but later branched out into music full-time to fulfill a lifelong desire. While working with a Nigerian music label as an in-house producer, he gained a unique insight into the local music scene. He saw the opportunities and challenges within the industry with a vision to develop an entrepreneurial platform from which to drive the industry forward. Today he is the founder and chief executive officer of Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions (CAMP). He gained international attention for producing and co-writing 'Asa', the debut self-titled album for the acclaimed soul singer. He was recently featured on CNN's African Voices for his contribution and impact on the African music industry. Rising alternative soul artiste, Bez is the first of three artistes signed by Cobhams to the C.A.M.P record label, and Bez's debut album 'Super Sun' was highlighted on The Boston Globe's top ten list of best 'world music' albums of 2011. He has won several awards in the music and film scene in Africa and beyond.
    Intro and Outro music by Kadialy Kouyate performed at TEDxEuston 2011. You can view the full performance here: • Performance: Kadialy K... .
    In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

КОМЕНТАРІ • 248

  • @anuoluwapofalope87
    @anuoluwapofalope87 4 роки тому +118

    Who is watching this 2020. This man is a motivation to a lot of people. Thank you

  • @Cre_Bills
    @Cre_Bills 6 років тому +39

    Sight sometimes is a distraction😂😂😂👏👏👏👏👏
    Focus is "blindness" in sense

  • @kieranwilson1092
    @kieranwilson1092 10 років тому +116

    the guy who disliked this was blind and missed the like button.

    • @BukolaPereira
      @BukolaPereira 7 років тому

      LOL..... You are funny!!

    • @zat0076
      @zat0076 6 років тому

      Kieran Wilson agreed

    • @ajokpaniovojonathan2322
      @ajokpaniovojonathan2322 6 років тому +1

      Am sure I would have click more like on ur comment if the clicks increments...

    • @Rex4sure6425
      @Rex4sure6425 4 роки тому

      rather he/she was blind and unfocused...missed the point completely

    • @davidadausuel4537
      @davidadausuel4537 4 роки тому

      I must say, that the ( guy ) that pushed the negative button must have had a reasonable reason for their actions. Therefore for you to respond the way you have is very unfair. Walk a mile in their shoes 👞 before you make such a judgement assessment of someone you don’t know indeed.

  • @oghoiluakpore261
    @oghoiluakpore261 10 років тому +31

    "we treat Africa like a disables child...excusing her failures", NEVER EXCUSE FAILURE FOR ANY REASON OR UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.
    COBHAMS, YOU INSPIRE ME!

  • @DavidHaastrup
    @DavidHaastrup 11 років тому +19

    Some very interesting points-:
    (1. Do not excuse failure, on no account, for no reason
    (2. Trust, even when you have no reason to
    (3.Sight sometimes is a distraction... so be "blind" to be focused...
    Thank you Cobhams... This generation is blessed to have you. Shalom!

    • @auspeacious
      @auspeacious Рік тому

      Thank you so much for marshalling the points that stood out for me.

  • @topsyfash
    @topsyfash 11 років тому +2

    Oh my God! "YOU HAVE TO BE BLIND, IN ORDER TO BE FOCUSED. FOCUS IS BLINDNESS ITSELF... YOU HAVE TO BE VLIND TO SOME THINGS IN YOUR LIFE (in order to achieve your life goals)"... "... AND THAT WAS WHEN IT HIT ME.. SIGHT, SOMETIMES, IS A DISTRACTION".."WE TREAT THE AFRICAN CONTINENT AS A DISABLED CHILD... WE EXPECT FAILURE, EVEN WHEN WE REALLY CANNOT AFFORD TO"... Cobhams is a remarkable philosopher and a great gift to humanity.

    • @renaudlemieux1
      @renaudlemieux1 5 років тому

      You have to be blind to be focused wtf are you out if your mind. No need to be blind to be focused wtf its even the contrary

  • @dabaolowodun8014
    @dabaolowodun8014 2 роки тому +3

    Wow! Just wow! This talk is 8 years old and still hits home. Truth is ageless.

  • @flowersbloom100
    @flowersbloom100 11 років тому +16

    Brilliant! Trust never expires. One of my fave talks from the day of inspiring TEDxEuston speakers.

  • @senagovina8909
    @senagovina8909 8 років тому +18

    This man is truly a Gift to the world. God bless and increase you Chobham.

    • @judyives1832
      @judyives1832 2 роки тому

      Nonsense! Do you not understand as blind people, how many times we hear” god gave you blindness as a gift to the world”. To teach others how lucky they are to not be us? That “god” gave us blindness on purpose because we are strong. “God never gives you more than you can handle”. I hear that one several times per week. These are the platitudes of people who think “I’m happy not to be you!” You think I am broken. But I believe I’m lucky. I was sighted for awhile and experienced that. I could read sighted and then I used audio books and finally learned Braille. Who has the fullest experience of reading? Over and over people will say audio books aren’t reading. I say until you’ve learned to read with all your senses and in different languages, you haven’t really experienced the full immersion of reading.
      I’ve gone for walks in the woods and beside my river as a sighted person and enjoyed nature so much. Then I began to walk by sound. Every change in the rivers depth and speed produces a different pitched sound. The gurgles, booms and splashes, there are hundreds of sounds that are completely identifiable as coming from a certain section of the river. I began to walk as easily by sound as by sight. And enjoyed recognizing bird and peeper songs and that became a fuller experience. Now I walk the river paths bare foot. I take each step and recognize the feel of the changes of ground under my feet. I walk barefoot as soon as the snow goes until it comes back again.
      AND I walk with my guide dog and the young dog I’m training to be my next guide. We are a team. So fine tuned to each other that it’s almost like dancing. The boys walk off leash but often in safe areas but we are so connected that a leash is unnessecary and the touch of my hand on the harness handle is it’s own form of communication. I can feel my dogs positions before I ever would notice by sight.
      This goes spectacularly wrong sometimes! Lol! As it can do for anyone with a thoughtless step and a trip over a tree root. A moments in attention by a dog still learning his game.
      But we have so much joy. Any embarrassment is far less important than our connection.
      I started to use scent as well. The slow wide river parts where the frogs and algae grows smells much much different from the hot scorched smell of the gravel parts of the path. The raspberry and wild mint areas smell so fresh and delicious. The ramps/wild onions along the side of the trail, smell so strongly yet I used to not even notice
      Every thing I did sighted, I have learned to do blind. (Except for driving a car)
      My favourite things to do are gardening, training dogs, drawing and reading and these are far richer being blind. I’ve leaned to slow down and be organized so that I don’t lose my tools or my purse. This took time as I’m messy. I lost my purse one time for a week and my room a vacuum disappeared for months when it got stuck under a sofa and I couldn’t find it. But I learned to train my young dog to find anything with my scent on it and since he was just 12 weeks old, he has been happily retrieving my dropped gloves (the only item I can not seem to learn to put in safe places) as if it’s the greatest game in the world!
      No one chooses to go blind. But all the people who tell us it’s the worst thing in the world and that we are now just burdens on the medical system, our families and the world and then come up with the only thing they think we can do, to be a lump that others “pity” and learn to be more kind, is completely and terribly wrong.
      There is a movie where a father learns his child is going blind and he gives up everything to take her to see the mountains before her sight goes. As if that will be the end of her life. Many of the comments were about pity for the girl and her father as if the child were going to die and many even said they would commit suicide rather than be blind.
      This is how people think of us. This hurts so badly that most people think my life is worthless just because my eyes no longer function.
      But I’m still here. I still love my life because I’ve learned how to do that. I fall a lit, I make mistakes like bumping into posts and walls if I forget my cane or am without my guide dog.

  • @enumahchinemelum7829
    @enumahchinemelum7829 8 місяців тому

    Who’s here in 2023 ? It’s been 10 years I listened to this the first time and here I am thinking about how this man, born blind would look you in the face and tell you there’s no excuse for failure !

  • @AbujaYummyMummy
    @AbujaYummyMummy 7 років тому +30

    this was by far one of my best TED talks

  • @okhah
    @okhah 6 років тому +4

    This is what you get when a genius is full of so much wisdom. 👏

  • @ChikweIhekweazu
    @ChikweIhekweazu 11 років тому +2

    Can't get enough of this talk! Deep and profound, yet delivered with humor and humility with a strong message that will stand the test of time.

  • @adetolaeko5165
    @adetolaeko5165 3 роки тому +4

    whoa!! this lecture is still inspiring in 2021

  • @omowunmikuku9221
    @omowunmikuku9221 5 років тому +1

    hummm...... BE BLIND TO BE FOCUS.... food for thought . THANK YOU COBHAMS i'm greatly inspired..pls who is watching in 2019...

  • @abbyoluboyo847
    @abbyoluboyo847 3 роки тому +1

    Sight could be a distraction. Focus is blindness in itself. Thank you 🙏 💜❤️💜❤️

  • @gideonaniechi
    @gideonaniechi 6 років тому +4

    Sight sometimes is a distraction...
    I love you man!

  • @abrokenlife
    @abrokenlife 11 років тому

    I am completely TRANSFORMED from the inside. This is the message I have waited for all my life!

  • @mohzyzmosugu8705
    @mohzyzmosugu8705 9 років тому +6

    This was a revealing story that I relate to. The Idea of sight as a distraction(shopping scenario) really got me thinking

  • @anita6055
    @anita6055 6 років тому +6

    Wow!! I'm glad I watched this,Precious gems dropped by Cobhams.."Be Blind to be Focused"

  • @herbeesworldofbeauty7677
    @herbeesworldofbeauty7677 2 роки тому +1

    There is more to what a man sees than meet the eyes. Being blind to distractions, keep trusting even when there is no reason to and not excusing failure. Thanks a great deal 🤝@cobhams

  • @xxmamaxxable
    @xxmamaxxable 8 років тому +5

    SICK!!! Loved every bit of it! And that last lesson about being blind to be focused, really hit home! Thank you Cobhams!

  • @hans59
    @hans59 4 роки тому +3

    Just watched this 2020 and I do not regret it! Cobhams is my daily motivation!! God bless you

  • @kyraocity
    @kyraocity 11 років тому +13

    This is one of the best TEDx talks I've seen in a long time!! From a TEDFellow.

  • @Chukzarro
    @Chukzarro 11 років тому +4

    Thank you Cobhams for such an inspirational talk ...and for defining in bold, the true meaning of challenging conventional wisdom.

  • @1XclusiveFBA
    @1XclusiveFBA 5 років тому

    the link to the African continent in the conclusion was brilliant, it had me clapping in my head all through. Exceptional human, exceptional speaker, for a person who doesn't like conferences.

  • @damikuteyi
    @damikuteyi 4 роки тому +1

    He decided to just trust...this is one of the best talks i've listened to

  • @uchedumbi
    @uchedumbi 8 років тому +4

    What a message Cobhams.Thanks a million and God Bless you.

  • @martinnartey3754
    @martinnartey3754 3 роки тому +3

    This is my motivation in 2020 and beyond.
    Lessons I learnt :-
    1. Do not excuse failure for any reason on any account
    2. Trust even when you have no reason to
    3. Sight sometimes is a distraction. Be blind to be focused

  • @madukaaustin9931
    @madukaaustin9931 9 років тому +7

    There is no excuse for failure. Thanks Cobhams

  • @critmail
    @critmail 7 років тому +3

    I love Ted talks, what a phenomenal way to get inspiring people and ideas out on the open table!

  • @okeperfecta231
    @okeperfecta231 6 років тому +5

    Sir you are a blessing to this generation

  • @felixobi2825
    @felixobi2825 11 років тому +1

    I was right there at the conference and have not forgotten the import of his talk...YOU HAVE TO BE BLIND TO REMAIN FOCUSED TO ACHIEVE YOUR LIFE GOALS!

  • @EmmanOzoemena
    @EmmanOzoemena 11 років тому +1

    Cobhams is a bundle of talents. A great gift to humanity. God bless you brother!

  • @diggiada
    @diggiada 11 років тому +1

    What a fantastic talk! "You have to be blind to be focused" that will stay with me forever

  • @BukolaPereira
    @BukolaPereira 7 років тому +2

    Oh my my!! What a great talk. Thanks and may the Lord grant you more wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

  • @iryn1903
    @iryn1903 3 роки тому +1

    Just discovered this guy through my precious aunt(Patricia Egbuson)'s funeral!! Wonderful perspective Cobhams!

  • @isaacige
    @isaacige 5 років тому +2

    But who are those disliking this type of information.

  • @ralphpapino4065
    @ralphpapino4065 7 років тому

    inspirational! No excuses , determination,hard work and grace will definitely put you high .

  • @pointingtojesus247
    @pointingtojesus247 6 років тому

    Cobhams is the Helen Keller of this Era. You are a source of encouragement to many persons who are enmeshed in their state of disillusionment!

  • @vinnyzworld
    @vinnyzworld 10 років тому +2

    You are an Inspiration. God bless you.

  • @adelekedavidadekunle5646
    @adelekedavidadekunle5646 11 років тому +4

    Brother, you did just great! You drove it home again!

  • @inimfoninyang4440
    @inimfoninyang4440 2 роки тому

    Cobhams Asuquo!! Abasiudiong Sir. Such an inspiration. One of the greatest speeches i've ever heard.

  • @voriskinlaw9775
    @voriskinlaw9775 7 років тому

    Thiz Dude "Cobhams"...So Much Power and Life's Wisdom picked up along the Way...2 a point,I can both empathize & sympathize(partial blindness @ birth & 16yrs old/eye operation)..."U Have To B Blind To B Focused"(I'm getting ready to hear what he 🎼🎵🎶🎧🎤🎷🎸🔊🎹🎺🎻💿sounds like)....that will stick the rest of my life with me!!!

  • @preciousfires5088
    @preciousfires5088 6 років тому +1

    this is mind blowing, I am indeed inspired.... tnx Cobham's

  • @umeobichisom
    @umeobichisom 11 років тому

    Beautiful, he has said it all as it pertains blindness-physical, spiritual, emotional or social (ethical) and I agree totally...God bless you exceedingly TEDx and Cobhams

  • @linkoglobalventureslimited8783
    @linkoglobalventureslimited8783 5 років тому +1

    Excellent speech from a man we all called blind man... So what my excuse and your excuse for failure if a man that is blind can now show us that there is able in disability... Here him and I quote he said sight a distraction to goals... Two u must learn how to trust so much lesson in just on sermon... God guide us in our various field of ENDEAVOURS.... I summit... Bless up Cobham's

  • @chuksbruno5268
    @chuksbruno5268 9 років тому +4

    it was so inspiring, i could feel the raw passion as he spoke...nice one bro

  • @KudjoJunior
    @KudjoJunior 4 роки тому

    gush watching this video makes me wanna turn back the hands of time and be so grateful for what had blessed me with?

  • @beckiemua
    @beckiemua 5 років тому +2

    I pray God heals you in the mighty name of Jesus!🙏🏾Please Lord Do it for him

  • @anthonyajibolaomoruyi8054
    @anthonyajibolaomoruyi8054 5 років тому +1

    A real life experiences. What a great inspiration.

  • @odayura7596
    @odayura7596 8 років тому +2

    i am indeed inspired! GOD Bless you.

  • @davidobinga8460
    @davidobinga8460 3 роки тому +2

    You're such a blessing sir cobhams

  • @ShainjoDepuun-kg7ws
    @ShainjoDepuun-kg7ws 5 місяців тому

    I am glad to be lucky to watch this

  • @shobowalelukmandavid9476
    @shobowalelukmandavid9476 8 років тому +5

    wow....I was inspired greatly.

  • @oguziechimakenneth7277
    @oguziechimakenneth7277 9 років тому

    i was inspired especially towards my dreams. thank you Cobhams Asquo

  • @timileyinafolabi2842
    @timileyinafolabi2842 2 роки тому

    Omg..The world needs to see this

  • @ahmedkarage9633
    @ahmedkarage9633 5 років тому +1

    Truer words have never been spoken on Tedx.

  • @akinoladabiri5285
    @akinoladabiri5285 3 роки тому +3

    This was an excellent video to watch at this time. What an amazing speech

  • @TheNyakaat
    @TheNyakaat 5 років тому +1

    God bless you sir. You are a hero and a role model to me!!!

  • @ImeUdo-ObongMesoEx
    @ImeUdo-ObongMesoEx 11 років тому +1

    THIS IS a Nigerian "story" for MY generation of overcoming SETBACKS to achieve success...I bless God FOR Cobhban:s life

  • @RAB__TV
    @RAB__TV 2 роки тому

    Thank you so much, Cobhams.
    I have been watching this video for the third time

  • @OlaTunBossun
    @OlaTunBossun Рік тому +1

    This remains gold 🥇🪙

  • @KumaniMusic
    @KumaniMusic 9 років тому +1

    Love this guy! I am a fan!

  • @victoriaimafidon2323
    @victoriaimafidon2323 9 років тому +1

    Wao! Inspiring. Awesome. Genius!!

  • @Phrankleen13
    @Phrankleen13 11 років тому +1

    Truly Inspiring!

  • @kennethekoyata1267
    @kennethekoyata1267 3 роки тому

    This is the best video I've seen on UA-cam. Ain't joking.

  • @ephanimhonitie6024
    @ephanimhonitie6024 7 місяців тому

    The truth doesn't fade. I watched this in 4/01/2024

  • @osinachiopara95
    @osinachiopara95 9 років тому

    Great Talk.....So Inspiring, God bless you

  • @sharonkaburuk9576
    @sharonkaburuk9576 8 років тому +5

    Wow wow wow.. Inspiring

  • @ijeononogbu8097
    @ijeononogbu8097 11 років тому +1

    Powerful powerful message......' Do not excuse failure for any reason on any account '

  • @kellyamouzou7278
    @kellyamouzou7278 3 роки тому +1

    Divine. Thank You Sir

  • @abundantslife
    @abundantslife 3 роки тому

    2021 still watching....cobhams is a motivation

  • @PaulEkwere
    @PaulEkwere 10 років тому +2

    Great Man Cobhams. Floreat!

  • @emmanuelmwamba5582
    @emmanuelmwamba5582 3 роки тому +1

    wow this is so inspiring. just got me focus on my purpose

  • @enoobongudo675
    @enoobongudo675 4 роки тому +1

    Amazing. Such an inspiration.

  • @anyax70
    @anyax70 11 років тому +1

    Powerful. This has stayed with me

  • @sosolyricsworld
    @sosolyricsworld 4 роки тому +1

    Watching in 2020.
    And this is so inspiring

  • @olaakin1137
    @olaakin1137 9 років тому +1

    Great Lessons, richly inspired!

  • @PatrickAnigbo
    @PatrickAnigbo 11 років тому +1

    Great guy! Inspirational talk. A great Africa Day in London.

  • @olalekanabayomi9236
    @olalekanabayomi9236 3 роки тому

    Thank you cobams.. God bless you.

  • @Doctor_Boy-01
    @Doctor_Boy-01 11 років тому

    Excuse is a gentle way of telling lie. Great inspirational @ Cobhams . . .

  • @jerryjoe8123
    @jerryjoe8123 4 роки тому +2

    You're a testament Sir 💕

  • @odesolaoluwaseun7175
    @odesolaoluwaseun7175 4 роки тому

    This got me the best Ted talk ever

  • @adegokejoshua8339
    @adegokejoshua8339 7 років тому +1

    this is wonderful... I really learnt a lot from this. thanks tedx

  • @chukwuakugreen1804
    @chukwuakugreen1804 2 роки тому

    9ja's Stevie wonder! God bless and keep u sir.

  • @JenniferEhidiamen
    @JenniferEhidiamen 11 років тому +1

    Inspiring!! Excuse no failure! Trust! Be blind to distractions!! Yes boss!!

  • @superdeeconcepttv8039
    @superdeeconcepttv8039 7 років тому +4

    and who are lazy ass disliking this ....they must be out their mind....God bless you bro you are indeed an inspiration.

  • @ihebunandujerry4058
    @ihebunandujerry4058 4 роки тому +1

    I am inspired by this talk

  • @mrfolasanwo
    @mrfolasanwo 11 років тому

    Whao!!!!!!!!! I'm stunned!

  • @estherobi3365
    @estherobi3365 9 років тому

    Blind with a difference. So inspiring

  • @emmanuelvictor7645
    @emmanuelvictor7645 11 років тому

    hmn... Full of wisdom, inspiringly instructive, sense awakening and ultimately challenging

  • @oseijanet1158
    @oseijanet1158 5 років тому

    Wow!! I am inspired. Do not excuse failure.

  • @joshuaadeleke2288
    @joshuaadeleke2288 11 років тому

    Be blind to be focused! My eyes can be a distraction... so trueeeee...thk u cobhams for delivering in grand style.

    • @renaudlemieux1
      @renaudlemieux1 5 років тому

      Be blind if you think yoy will be more focused im sure you gonna love it

  • @libertyokechukwu7929
    @libertyokechukwu7929 2 роки тому

    this man is a king...crown him!!

  • @anneokpi3120
    @anneokpi3120 3 роки тому +1

    This is one of my best Ted talks...second only to those of Chimanda! So enlightening!

  • @iamstrange.
    @iamstrange. Рік тому

    God bless you, Cobhams.

  • @sommadinaozim143
    @sommadinaozim143 4 роки тому +1

    Cobhams you did me proud.

  • @julietjohnson1222
    @julietjohnson1222 10 років тому +1

    Always inspiring.

  • @sarumoh
    @sarumoh 5 років тому

    LOVE THIS GUY. JUST LOVE UM