The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media & Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, has announced that he is taking an indefinite leave of absence from his official duties.

Citing a health condition of a member of his nuclear family, Ngelale said he looks forward to returning fully to his office when 'time, healing and fate permit'.

"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." Ngelale said in a statement on Saturday.

"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 I during this time", he added.