𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐎𝐧𝐲𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐚 𝐚𝐬 ‘𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬,’ 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠

The Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Nneochi, has honoured Hon. Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the immediate past Minister of State for Labour and Employment, 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, personally thanked the former minister for singlehandedly roofing the Christ Methodist Church Eziama, which hosted this year’s synod. He also praised God for using her in diverse ways to bring progress to the Methodist Church Nneochi.

Her contributions to the diocese are substantial. She built the Christ Methodist Church in Umuehihie, renovated and re-roofed St. Matthews Methodist Church in Ezingodo, and constructed the Reverend Manns of Grace Methodist in Umumeze, among many other acts of support.

This church honour comes just days before a grand homecoming reception being organised by the Umunneochi Traditional Rulers Council, scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026, at Peace Comprehensive Secondary School, Amuda Isuochi.

In a personal statement on her official social media account, Onyejeocha opened up about what the traditional rulers’ recognition means to her, using her own words.

“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 wrote.

She continued: “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.”

Onyejeocha’s political journey spans three decades. She served as Commissioner for Resource Management and Manpower Development in Abia State under Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, then became Transition Executive Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area. Her grassroots work earned her a chieftaincy title, Adaejiagamba (Ambassadorial Daughter), making her the first recipient of that honour.

She was first elected to the Federal House of Representatives in 2007, representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, and went on to serve four consecutive terms spanning 16 years. She was pioneer Chairman of the Women in Parliament committee, chaired the House Committee on Aviation, and sat on several key committees. In 2019, she ran for Speaker of the House of Representatives, becoming the only female candidate in that race.

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 named Most Vibrant Female Legislator in Nigeria by PASSAN.

In 2023, President Bola Tinubu appointed her Minister of State for Labour and Employment. She unveiled the National Job Centre Project and launched the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), aimed at creating 2.5 million direct and indirect jobs annually.

She recently resigned from the cabinet following a presidential directive requiring political appointees seeking elective office to step down ahead of the 2027 elections. Her return to grassroots politics is seen as part of a broader plan to rebuild the APC’s structure across Abia North.

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.