VR: Nogokpo Outdoors Torgbi Saba V

The chiefs and people of Nogokpo in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta region have at a colourful durbar out-doored Torgbi Saba V as the ‘dufia’ of Nogokpo.

He was earlier selected by the stool family, confined and taken through the rites of passage in accordance with the customs and traditions of Nogokpo and the Some Traditional Council.

In his speech at the ceremony, Torgbi Saba V declared a new era over Nogokpo and said he would run an open-door policy that welcomes everyone who had great ideas to better the lot of the people of Nogokpo and the development of the area.

“A new era begins in Nogokpo under my reign – my doors are wide open to welcome citizens of Nogokpo and any well-meaning individuals who have great ideas for the development of this town and the betterment of the lives of the indigenes,” Torgbi Saba V said.

The ‘dufia’ of Nogokpo called for unity, togetherness and fellow-feeling among all citizens of Nogokpo, adding that “we must all as a people with a common destiny eschew petty squabbles and rancour and pull together for the forward match of the Nogokpo community.”

He advised the youth of the area to eschew vices that had the tendency of destroying their future and to hold fast to what is good.

“I want to use this opportunity to advise the youth of this town and surrounding villages to hold fast to what is good and desirable and to flee from anything untoward that had the tendency to mare their future – as future leaders, it is incumbent on you to live moral lives so that when the mantle of leadership falls on you, you will not be found wanting,” He stated.

Torgbi Saba V promised to work hand in hand with all other chiefs of the town and liaise with the Some Traditional Council in his bid to see a better and transformed Nogokpo in the years ahead.

Touching on the issue of Nogokpo as a town and the famous shrine (deity) for which the town is globally known, Torgbi Saba V said people must decouple the town and it’s indigenes from the shrine (deity), adding that, the misconceptions surrounding the town was hampering efforts being made by citizens of the town and other well-meaning individuals to develop the area and called for a change in the status quo.

“Nogokpo is not a bad or dreaded place as it has come to be associated with. On the contrary, the people of Nogokpo are a beautiful people when you come to know them – we must begin to separate the town of Nogokpo from the shrine or deity feared for it’s swiftness in punishing offenders and giving justice to the oppressed – by so doing all the misconceptions surrounding the town will give way ushering in a new day over Nogokpo,” Torgbi Saba V concluded.

In a statement on his behalf, Paramount Chief of the Some Traditional Area, Torgbiga Adamah III, congratulated the young ‘dufia’ of Nogokpo for the feat and advised him to rule with patience and love over his subjects.

He promised the Some traditional council’s support in any way possible to help the new chief deliver on the mandate.

The ceremony brought together chiefs and traditional rulers from all over Some and other parts of the Volta region as well as from neighboring Togo. Some politicians and security agencies in the municipality were also in attendance.

By Leo Nelson