Nenshi's chief of staff, Chima Nkemdirim, resigns after 7 years in the role

ChimaNkemdirim, the chief of staff to Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, has resigned after seven years at the mayor's side.

"He is leaving the city to pursue an opportunity in the private sector in mid-January," Nenshi announced during Monday's city council meeting.

Nkemdirim, who is on vacation, wasn't present for the announcement but Nenshi said he wanted to take a moment before council goes on its Christmas break to thank him.

"This is my last opportunity at council to recognize the hard work of my chief of staff," the mayor said.

Nkemdirim, who was with the mayor since he was first elected in 2010, did"extraordinary, relentless and demanding" work that "has left a huge legacy for the citizens of Calgary," Nenshi said.

In an email to city councillors, the mayor describedNkemdirim'snew role as a "senior position in the private sector."

In the email, Nenshi attached a photo collage of his chief of staff, with whom he was close.

"I got to go to work with my best friend every day," the mayor wrote. "How lucky is that?"

In addition to his chief of staff role,Nkemdirimalso recently sat as a non-voting member on theCalgary bid exploration committee regarding the 2026 Olympics.

Nkemdirim has also been involved with the Liberal Party of Canada, co-chairing its 2014 convention, and is a founding member of the provincial Alberta Party.