The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media & Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, has tendered an indefinite leave of absence from national service under the federal government.
He disclosed this in a statement on September 7, 2024, linking his decision to family medical concerns.
Ajuri who doubles as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen, said his choice was based on undisclosed pressing health issues.
Ngelale disclosed his submitted memo of leave of absence to the Chief of Staff to the President on Friday detailing why he is proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence.
He stated he needed to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting his 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, “he stated.
He looked forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.
“I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and me during this time,” he added.
Ngelale previously served as the presidential senior special adviser on public affairs to former President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as a spokesperson for the Ahmed Bola Tinubu presidential campaign council during the 2023 Nigerian presidential elections.
Prior to his political appointments, he worked as a senior reporter and presenter at Africa Independent Television and Channels Television.
In politics, Ngelale played a role in highlighting Tinubu positively among Nigerians and the international community through his press releases and media interviews.
Another significant role he played under Tinubu was as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, a position created to advance the federal government’s climate and green economic initiatives.
Following the announcement on May 19, 2024, Ngelale was appointed to lead this initiative as part of a larger presidential committee, which will be chaired by President Tinubu himself.
The established Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions is responsible for coordinating and overseeing all policies and programs related to climate action and green economic development.
The committee includes notable figures from various sectors, including government officials, CEOs of institutions, and representatives from key ministries.
