Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity and Official Spokesperson, has announced that he will be taking an indefinite leave of absence to address urgent medical concerns involving his immediate family.
He made this known in a statement issued on Saturday, adding that he submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff on Friday, notifying him of his decision to step back from his official duties, which include his roles as the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and the Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
He explained that the decision came after several discussions with his family, as the medical situation at home has been worsening.
In his statement, Ngelale expressed hope that he would be able to return to his duties once circumstances improve. He acknowledged the importance of his roles in the government but emphasized the need to prioritize his family’s health at this time.
The statement reads;
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.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
September 7, 2024
