On Saturday, the Presidency announced that it had received a memo from the President’s Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, requesting an indefinite leave of absence due to personal and health reasons.
The announcement was made through a statement shared on the Presidency’s X handle, @NGRPresident, and the Nigerian Television Authority’s handle, @NTANewsNow, late Saturday night.
Unlike previous statements, this one was not signed by any official, simply attributing the message to “The Presidency.”
The statement partially read, “The President has received a memo from Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President, as well as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, notifying of his decision to proceed on an indefinite leave of absence for personal and health reasons.”
Ajuri had earlier announced his decision to step down from his roles within the Presidency citing family related reasons.
In the statement, the President Bola Tinubu extended his heartfelt prayers to Ngelale and his family, wishing him a swift recovery and a complete return to good health.
The President also used the moment to commend Ngelale for his tireless service to the nation, highlighting his significant contributions to national dialogue and leadership in key initiatives, including climate action.
“The President acknowledges Chief Ngelale’s dedication and expresses gratitude for his efforts in various roles,” the statement read.
The Presidency further urged that Ngelale’s privacy, as well as that of his family, be respected during this difficult time.
Ngelale was appointed as Tinubu’s spokesperson on July 31, 2023, and became Nigeria’s first Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action on May 19, 2024.
