The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has disclosed that her political future is in the Calendar of God.
The minister said God has always intervened in her life when the situation necessitated it, so she has no apprehension about what tomorrow holds for her.
Onyejeocha in a recent interview with Spear News, discussed her dedication to tackling unemployment and the advantages of LEEP, stressing its potential to generate millions of jobs for Nigerians.
The initiative, which was designed by her, was launched in April by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, fulfilling his Independence Day pledge to provide sustainable employment and human capital development for the country’s young population.
According to the minister, the trajectory of her political career was devoid of the usual struggles as she always found favour and acceptance in the sight of God and her constituency which has propelled her this far.
She said, “My future is in the calendar of God. It is for God to determine. Remember that I didn’t join politics willingly, I didn’t plan to join politics. I was appointed commissioner, as a commissioner my traditional rulers came and said I should go to the house of representatives, and at a time I became transition chair person of my local government, Umuneochi Local Government and from there I left, I went back to my family in Lagos, and they came and said I should represent them.
“And so I came and from there back to back for sixteen years. And here, I am minister- a call to another sector, which is the executive. It didn’t happen for nothing, I am God’s agenda. It was as God planned it. And I don’t care what people say.
Speaking further, Onyejeocha said for now she is focused on delivering on the mandate given to her by the president and that Nigerians are hoping to see tangible results.
“The ministry of Labour just launched LEEP on the 15th of April. LEEP is one of the Renewed Hope Initiatives by designed to create 2.5 million jobs, empower Nigerians with skills, and foster entrepreneurship through innovative programmes and strategic partnerships.
“This is also good for Nigerian workers because, very soon, we will begin training our workforce to ensure they are fully equipped for their roles, wherever they are placed. As for discussing politics, I have far more pressing matters to attend to, and time is of the essence. The question of 2027 is in God’s hands. After all, this is only 2025, should I neglect the duties the President has entrusted to me just to speculate about my own ambitions?”, Onyejeocha added.
The Minister also described the Ministry of Labour and Employment as one of the most impactful, given its wide-ranging responsibilities, a role that brings her both pride and deep sense of fulfilment.
“In my view, this is the greatest ministry one could hope to lead. After all, what could be more important than a ministry that ensures food on the table, takes vulnerable children off the streets, and even safeguards the dignity of every individual? We are training people who can compete on the global stage—workers equipped to excel anywhere in the world.”
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