Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the Nigerian President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson, has announced that he is taking an indefinite leave of absence to address pressing medical matters affecting his immediate family.
In a statement posted on his general communication WhatsApp platform on Saturday, Ngelale disclosed that he submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff on Friday, September 6, 2024, informing him of his decision to temporarily step back from his duties. He stated, “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.”
Ngelale elaborated on the difficult choice, stating, “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.”
He expressed his intention to return to his duties when possible, saying, “I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.”
Ngelale concluded by requesting privacy, adding, “I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and I during this time.”
The leave of absence is effective immediately, with no specified date for his return.
