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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has accepted the memo by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, seeking indefinite leave of absence.
Ngelale had disclosed that he was proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently afflicting his immediate nuclear family.
The Presidency in a statement acknowledging receipt of the memo, yesterday, said that the president fully understood Ngelale’s reasons and sympathised with the circumstances that have led to this seemingly difficult decision, requesting that his plea for privacy be respected.
“The President while extending his heartfelt prayers and best wishes to Ngelale and his family during this challenging moment, expressed hopes for a speedy recovery and full restoration to his health,” the Presidency said.
The statement reads: “The President has received the memo from Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and 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.
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“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.”
In a statement he personally signed, Ngelale said that he submitted his memo to the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Friday, informing him of the development.
He said that he was also taking a pause from his appointment as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen, after significant consultations with his family as a result of a vexatious medical situation that has worsened in the last couple of days.
He said that he would be looking forward to returning to full-time national service “when time, healing, and fate permit”.
The statement reads thus: “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 and 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.”
