By By: Staff Writer
Nimba County District #5 Representative Kortor Sehwongbay Kwagrue says leadership titles like “Godfather of Nimba” cannot be handed out by declaration — they must be earned through years of service to the people. Speaking in Buutuo over the weekend, Rep. Kwagrue was responding to a recent decision by Zor Chiefdom elders to confer the title on Senator Samuel G. Kogar. He urged caution against rushing to bestow honorifics without a matching record of impact.
“Did Senator Johnson receive the title of ‘Godfather’ through an official declaration, or did his track record earn it for him?” Kwagrue asked, referencing the late Senator Prince Yormie Johnson, who held the title for decades. “True influence is built over time, not announced in a single ceremony.”
Kwagrue: Judge Leaders By Service, Not Slogans
The lawmaker said his concern is not about any one individual, but about the standard Liberia sets for leadership. He called on elected officials and traditional leaders to prioritize grassroots development, education, healthcare, and jobs over titles. “A lasting legacy is defined by achievements, not honorific titles,” Kwagrue said. “If we want Nimba to move forward, our leaders must be judged by what they deliver to the towns and villages, not by what they are called.”
His remarks come as political jostling in Nimba intensifies ahead of future elections, with traditional recognition often seen as a signal of influence. Kwagrue, however, insisted that respect from the people comes from service, not slogans, and that Nimba’s progress depends on tangible results rather than ceremonial titles.
