The Ondo State Government has presented a staff of office and instrument of appointment to the Maporure Agerige of Aheriland, Oba Richard Adubi-lge Kudehinbu.
The event, which took place on Tuesday in Akure, was to fill the stool of Maporure which had been vacant for over 28 years.
The vacuum followed the demise of the late monarch, Oba Marcus Akinjopo Gbose, on Jan. 28, 1989, and the protracted litigation which stalled the process of selecting and appointing a successor.
Presenting the staff of office to Kudehinbu, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, congratulated the new traditional ruler on his appointment.
Ajayi also felicitated with indigenes of the community, saying their desire to have a monarch had come to reality.
He, however, urged the monarch to employ the principle of equity and fairness in his dealings with all his subjects.
The deputy governor also enjoined him to exercise restraint in the use of the powers conferred on him with the instrument of office.
Ajayi further appealed to all the indigenes of the community to cooperate with the monarch for his reign to be memorable.
In his acceptance speech, the traditional ruler expressed gratitude to the state government on the presentation of staff of office.
The monarch, who spoke through the former Head of Service, Mr Ajose Kudehinbu, appealed to the state government for the upgrade of the Maporure title.
NAN