Chief Ajuri Ngelale is a Nigerian-American journalist, editor, author, and the current official spokesperson and special adviser to the president on media and publicity. He was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in July 2023, after serving as the senior special assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari on public affairs. He is known for his investigative reporting, his pro-government views, and his controversial statements on various national issues. In this article, we will explore the life and career of Ajuri Ngelale, including his background, education, family, achievements, and controversies.
Ajuri Ngelale Basic Biography
| Name | Ajuri Ngelale |
| Date of birth | 12th of November |
| Place of birth | United States of America |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| State of origin | Rivers State |
| Parents | Chief Precious Osaro Ngelale (Nigerian father), & Mrs. Kobo Roseline Precious Ngelale Osaro (German Mother) |
| Education | Studied Political Science and History at the University of Kansas |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Kids | 2 sons |
| Profession | Journalist, Editor, Author, Reporter, and Columnist |
| Appointment |
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| Net Worth | Currently Unknown |
Who is Ajuri Ngelale?
Ajuri Ngelale was born on November 12 in 1980s in the United States of America. He is the son of Chief Precious Osaro Ngelale, a former minister of state for water resources and a prominent politician from Rivers State, Nigeria, and a German-American mother. He grew up in the creeks of Ogoniland in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, where he witnessed the environmental degradation and human rights violations caused by oil exploration and exploitation. He developed a passion for journalism and social justice from an early age.
He attended Government Secondary School in Port Harcourt for his secondary education and then proceeded to the University of Kansas in the United States for his tertiary education. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2009 and another bachelor’s degree in history from the same university.
He returned to Nigeria and started his career as a reporter for African Independent Television (AIT) News, where he became famous for his “Eagle Eye” report, an investigative series that exposed corruption, injustice, and maladministration in various sectors of the Nigerian society. He also worked as a lead consultant for public affairs at the Federal Ministry of Power between March 2013 and November 2016.
In 2017, he left AIT for Channels TV, where he worked as a TV presenter, producer, and senior news correspondent. He covered various topics such as politics, economy, security, health, sports, and entertainment. He also hosted several programs such as “Politics Today”, “News at 10”, “Sunrise Daily”, and “Hard Copy”.
In September 2019, he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as the senior special assistant on public affairs. In this capacity, he was responsible for communicating the policies and achievements of the president to the public through various media platforms. He also defended the president against criticisms and allegations from the opposition and civil society groups.
He was loyal to President Buhari until his death in June 2023. He then supported the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who appointed him as the official spokesperson and special adviser to the president on media and publicity in July 2023. He is currently one of the most influential and vocal members of the presidential media team.
Achievements?
Ajuri Ngelale has achieved a lot in his career as a journalist and a government official. Some of his achievements include:
• He is the author of two books: “Struggle for Nigeria’s Soul” and “Buhari: From General to President”. The first book is a collection of his columns and essays on various national issues, while the second book is a biography of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
• He is an award-winning journalist who has received several accolades for his investigative reporting and analysis. Some of his awards include Teen Act of the Year at the Nigerian Women Achievers Awards in 2019; Best Investigative Reporter at the Nigerian Media Merit Awards in 2018; Best TV Presenter at the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards in 2017; and Best Political Reporter at the African Media Excellence Awards in 2016.
• He is a pastor and a philanthropist who runs a non-governmental organization called Eagle Eye Foundation. The foundation provides humanitarian assistance to victims of violence, poverty, and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta region. It also supports education, health care, empowerment, and advocacy programs for vulnerable groups such as women, children, youths, and persons with disabilities.
Controversies?
Ajuri Ngelale is not without controversies. He has been involved in several heated debates and arguments with critics and opponents of the government on various issues such as insecurity, economy, corruption, human rights, restructuring, secession, and elections, among others. Some of his controversial statements include:
• In October 2020, he accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of being behind the #EndSARS protests that rocked the country. He claimed that Obasanjo was using the protests to destabilize the government and cause chaos in the country.
• In January 2021, he defended the government’s decision to ban Twitter in Nigeria after the social media platform deleted President Buhari’s tweet that threatened to deal with secessionists in the “language they understand”. He said that Twitter was biased and disrespectful to the sovereignty of Nigeria and that the ban was necessary to protect the national security and unity of the country.
• In April 2021, he clashed with former presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore on a live TV program. He accused Sowore of being a terrorist and a coup plotter who wanted to overthrow the government by inciting violence and anarchy in the country. He also challenged Sowore to a physical fight after the program.
• In July 2021, he attacked Nobel laureate and renowned writer Wole Soyinka for criticizing President Buhari’s handling of the security situation in the country. He said that Soyinka was an irrelevant and senile old man who had lost touch with reality and was suffering from dementia.
Family
Ajuri Ngelale is married to an Igbo lady from Anambra State. Her name is not publicly known, but she is a lawyer by profession. They have three children: two sons and a daughter. They live in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria.
Conclusion
Ajuri Ngelale is a journalist, editor, author, and the current spokesperson and special adviser to the president on media and publicity. He has a rich and diverse background, education, and career. He is also a family man and a humanitarian. He is an outspoken and controversial figure who has attracted both admiration and criticism from different quarters. He is one of the most influential and powerful media personalities in Nigeria.
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