Ajuri Ngelale, the newly appointed Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, has vowed to prioritize transparency and open communication between the presidential villa and the press corps.

Speaking with members of the State House Press Corps in Abuja on Tuesday, Ngelale emphasized that every Nigerian has the right, not just a privilege, to have full access to information regarding the presidential villa, the president’s office, and the vice president’s office.

He pledged to provide greater access to information for radio networks, television networks, newspapers, and online media than ever before.

Ngelale expressed a commitment to adopting a zero-tolerance policy for government spokespersons and media functionaries who display condescending language, institutional arrogance, or speak down to Nigerians. He stressed that such attitudes belong in the past and will not be tolerated under his watch.

Appointed by President Bola Tinubu on Monday, Ngelale asserted that the president desires to create a more transparent and accountable presidency for the benefit of all Nigerians. To achieve this, the office will announce a series of measures aimed at opening up the institution on a daily basis, fostering deeper and more comprehensive communication than ever seen before.

In preparation for his role as presidential spokesman, Ngelale has engaged with his predecessors, including Mr. Segun Adeniyi, Dr. Reuben Abati, and Mr. Femi Adeshina, to tap into their wealth of experience and insights.

He emphasized that regardless of political affiliations, the goal is to ensure that the Nigerian media has its rightful place in government affairs, providing accurate and factual information to the public.

Prior to his current appointment, Ngelale served as the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and also worked in the office of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

He was the Assistant Principal Spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council for the 2023 elections. Furthermore, Ngelale has a background in media, having worked at DAAR Communication (owners of AIT and Ray Power) and Channels Television.

Ngelale’s family background includes a former Minister of State for Water Resources, Chief Precious Ngelale, and a German-U.S.-born mother. With his wealth of experience and commitment to transparency, Ngelale aims to foster a stronger and more responsible relationship between the presidency and the media, ensuring accurate and reliable information reaches the Nigerian public.