Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale has announced an indefinite leave of absence to attend to medical issues affecting his immediate family.
This was revealed in a statement he posted on his general communication WhatsApp platform on Saturday, September 7.
Ngelale disclosed that he submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff on Friday, September 6, informing of his decision to pause his functions, including his roles as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
The presidential spokesman explained that the decision was made after consultations with his family following a worsening medical situation at home.
While expressing hope to return to full-time national service when circumstances permit, Ngelale requested privacy for his family during this challenging time.
The leave of absence takes effect immediately, with no specified date for his return.
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.”
