Tinubu accepts Ajuri's request for leave

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President Bola Tinubu has accepted the reason given by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President, as well as the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, Ajuri Ngelale, for proceeding on indefinite leave of absence.

According to an unsigned statement issued by the Presidency on Saturday night, the President had received his request and fully understands the reasons and sympathises with the circumstances that have led to this seemingly difficult decision.

It said the President had received the memo from Ngelale informing him of his decision to proceed on an indefinite leave of absence for personal and health reasons.

According to the statement, while extending his heartfelt prayers and best wishes to Ngelale and his family during this challenging moment, the President hoped for a speedy recovery and full restoration to health.

President Tinubu noted his tireless efforts and dedication in serving the nation and thanked 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 endeavours.

“During this period, we kindly ask that the wish for privacy of Chief Ngelale and his family be respected,” the statement said.

Barely 15 months after his appointment, he announced his exit from the office on Saturday.

He revealed that he had passed a memo to the chief of staff to the president, intimating him of his need to go on an indefinite leave of absence over medical issues affecting his family.

The presidential spokesman, who was on a recent China trip with the president, explained that he needed to frontally deal with the condition and hoped to return fully to work if healing and fate permit.

Ajuri wrote in a statement: “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 agonising 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 me during this time.”

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