By Ken Chiwendu
The special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, has announced his exit from the office.
Ngelale said on Saturday that he had passed a memo to the chief of staff to the president, intimating him of his need to go on an indefinite leave of absence over medical issues affecting his family.
The presidential aide who was on the recent China trip with President Bola Tinubu explained that the decision was taken after consultations with his family and hoped to return to work if time healing and fate permit.
Aside from being the presidential spokesman, Ngelale is also the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen,
He wrote in a statement: “On Friday, I submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.
“While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.
“I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.
“I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and I during this time.” Ngelale added.
