The presidency said yesterday that it received a letter from the erstwhile spokesman for the president, Mr Ajuri Ngelale to go on an indefinite leave of absence due to personal and health-related reasons.
In a statement shared last night on the X handle of the Presidency, @NGRPresident, and that of the Nigerian Television Authority, @NTANewsNow, President Bola Tinubu prayed for Ngelale and his family and wished him a swift recovery and a complete return to good health.
The statement reads: “The President has received the memo from Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President as well as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, informing of his decision to proceed on an indefinite leave of absence for personal and health reasons.
“The President accepts his reasons for the leave, fully understands them, and sympathizes with the circumstances that have led to this seemingly difficult decision.
“While extending his heartfelt prayers and best wishes to Chief Ngelale and his family during this challenging moment, the President hopes for a speedy recovery and full restoration to health.
“The President notes his tireless efforts and dedication in serving the nation and thanks him for the remarkable contributions he made in his various capacities, especially in advancing national discourse and leading efforts on climate action and other key initiatives.
“The President wishes him well in all his future endeavors. During this period, we kindly ask that the wish for privacy of Chief Ngelale and his family be respected.”
Recall that Ngelale, had in a statement personally signed by him and posted on his social media handle said he had proceeded on an indefinite leave of absence to deal with a “worsening vexatious medical situation” affecting his nuclear family.
He said the decision was taken after significant consultations with his family over the past several days following a worsening vexatious medical situation at home.
While saying he had on Friday intimated the office of the chief of staff to the president on his decision, Ngelale said he looked forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing and fate permit.
“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,” he stated.
