By: Obinna Nwachukwu

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson, has announced an indefinite leave of absence to attend to pressing medical matters affecting his immediate family.

In a statement he posted on his general communication WhatsApp platform on Saturday, Ngelale revealed that he submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff on Friday, informing of thedecision to pause his functions, including his roles as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.

Ngelale explained that the decision was after consultations with his family due to a worsening medical situation at home.
He expressed hope to return to full-time national service when circumstances permit.

He, however, requested privacy for his family during the challenging time.

“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,” the statement added