God’s Vessel of Progress: Hon. Onyejeocha Honoured at 31st Annual Diocesan Synod

…As Umunneochi Traditional Rulers Council Prepares grand welcome reception for April 24

The Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Nneochi, has honoured the immediate past Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, as the Special Guest of Honour at its 31st Annual Diocesan Synod, describing her as a “pillar of the Church.”

The Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. I.K. Tasie JP, thanked Onyejeocha for singlehandedly roofing the Christ Methodist Church Eziama, the venue of this year’s annual Synod.

The Bishop also praised the Almighty God for using the former minister in diverse ways for the progress of the Methodist Church Nneochi.

Hon. Onyejeocha’s numerous contributions to the Diocese include building the Christ Methodist Church, Umuehihie, renovating and reroofing St. Matthews Methodist Church, Ezingodo, and building the Reverend Manns of Grace Methodist, Umumeze, among numerous other supports to the Diocese.

The honour came just days before a grand homecoming reception organised in her honour by the Umunneochi Traditional Rulers Council, scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026, at Peace Comprehensive Secondary School, Amuda Isuochi.

In a personal statement on official social media account, Onyejeocha expressed profound gratitude for the traditional rulers’ recognition, saying: “True service to the people is its own reward, but when the custodians of our land pause to say ‘well done’ — that is a grace that humbles the soul and renews the spirit for the work ahead.”

She added: “It is with profound gratitude that I honour the invitation of the Umunneochi Traditional Rulers Council, who have organised a Welcome Reception in my honour. To our revered traditional rulers — the keepers of our identity and conscience of our community — your recognition means more than any title any institution could bestow.”

Hon. Onyejeocha’s political career spans three decades, beginning at the state level where she served as Commissioner for Resource Management and Manpower Development in Abia State under Governor Orji Uzor Kalu. She later became Transition Executive Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area, where she executed erosion control projects, improved community security, and rehabilitated feeder roads. In recognition of her grassroots work, the Traditional Rulers Council conferred on her a chieftaincy title, Adaejiagamba (Ambassadorial Daughter), making her the first recipient of the honour.

She was first elected to the Federal House of Representatives in 2007, representing the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, and went on to serve four consecutive terms spanning 16 years, making her one of the longest-serving federal lawmakers from Abia State.

During her tenure, she served as pioneer Chairman of the Women in Parliament committee, Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, and sat on several key committees including FCT, House Services/Welfare, Public Procurement, INEC, and Police Affairs.

In 2019, she contested for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives, becoming the only female candidate in the race. Throughout her legislative career, she sponsored landmark bills including the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, which prohibits hospitals from demanding police reports before treating gunshot victims in emergencies. She was awarded the title of Most Vibrant Female Legislator in Nigeria by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASSAN).

In 2023, Onyejeocha was appointed Minister of State for Labour and Employment under President Bola Tinubu. During her ministerial tenure, she played pivotal roles in labour negotiations, employment policy coordination, and federal workforce initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She unveiled the National Job Centre Project, a nationwide network of employability hubs designed to connect skilled Nigerians with employment opportunities, and launched the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), aimed at creating 2.5 million direct and indirect jobs annually.

Even while serving as minister, she maintained strong ties to her constituency, performing the foundation-laying ceremony of the Abia State Skill Acquisition Centre at Uvim community, Isuikwuato L.G.A., and commissioning a newly constructed town hall for the Isuikwuato Town Development Union.

Hon. Onyejeocha recently resigned from President Tinubu’s cabinet following a presidential directive requiring political appointees seeking elective office to step down ahead of the 2027 elections.

Her re-entry into grassroots politics is seen as part of a broader plan to rebuild APC’s structure across Abia North, where she is expected to anchor mobilisation efforts for the party’s presidential, National Assembly, and governorship campaigns.

She extended a warm invitation to all sons and daughters of Umunneochi, friends, and well-wishers to join her at the upcoming reception. “This homecoming is not just mine — it belongs to all of us,” she said.