Tinubu’s aide Ajuri Ngelale quits proceeds on indefinite leave over family health 

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, has announced his resignation, saying he is stepping down to focus on medical matters affecting his nuclear family.

Ngelale said he had submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, informing him of his decision to step down as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.

He said in the statement that he was stepping down from the two roles to enable him to proceed on indefinite leave.

President Bola Tinubu had on 31 July, 2023 named Ajuri as his official spokesperson and special adviser on media and publicity.

On May 19 this year, the president gave him an additional responsibility in the administration by appointing him Nigeria’s special presidential envoy on climate action. He served in that role as part of a larger presidential committee chaired by President Bola Tinubu.

Ngelale, 38, was at different times a broadcast journalist with African Independent Television and Channels Television.

He also worked as public affairs consultant at the Federal Ministry of Power and later as senior special assistant on public affairs in the office of then Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

His Resignation Letter 

On Friday, I submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing 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 for 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

Police arrest 97 Shiites over deadly Abuja clash

At least 97 members of the outlawed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites, have been arrested, the police have said.

The arrest and imminent prosecution of the suspects are not unconnected to a clash that left two policemen dead and three others severely injured in Abuja on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that three patrol vehicles were razed by the Shiites during the clash.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced the arrest of the suspect in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, credible intelligence reports helped the police operatives to apprehend the detained suspects.

He said the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr Kayode Egbetokun’s directive on the matter would be carried out to the latter.

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Adejobi said the IG had reaffirmed the force’s determination to arrest other persons involved in the attack and bring them to justice.

The police spokesman quoted the IG as saying he would thwart all sort of unrest in any part of the country, and promised to continue to maintain law and order in all parts of the country.

According to him, the unprovoked killings of police officers in the line of duty are highly outrageous and unacceptable as those who murdered these policemen have murdered peace.

“As investigations unfold, the Nigeria Police Force is determined to uncover the full extent of this attack and prevent future occurrences of such violence against police officers,” he said.

Adejobi said the inspector-general sympathised with the grieving families of the fallen police officers and wished those currently undergoing treatment speedy recovery.

Police arrest 97 Shiites over deadly Abuja clash

APC Oyo confirms death of state chairman Omodewu in US 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has confirmed the passing of its chairman, Isaac Omodewu, saying it is a collosal loss not only to the party but the entire country.

The Otu-born lawyer, Omodewu, died Sunday night in the United States where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness since November 2024.

A statement by the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Olawale Sadare, expressed utmost shock and disbelief over the transition of Omodewu who served in various ministries as a commissioner between 2011 and 2019 in the two-term administration of late Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

He that despite Omodewu’s illness, he has kept in touch with friends, associates and most Oyo APC stakeholders until he breathed his last on Sunday at the age of 61.

He said, “A big Iroko has fallen and a big vacuum has surfaced in our party (APC). Our late chairman was an epitome of humility, kindness and selflessness.

“He emerged as the state chairman at a turbulent period and he did his best to stabilize the party.

“It is even regrettable he transited at this time when his efforts on total reconciliation have begun to yield full results as desired.

“While we commiserate with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our National Chairman and the entire APC faithful in Nigeria, we pray God to grant him eternal rest and give members of his immediate family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”