How Onyejeocha closed 2025 with development projects in Abia

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Rt. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, rounded off the year 2025 with a blend of skills-driven development projects, community infrastructure delivery and large-scale humanitarian outreach across Isuikwuato and Umunneochi Local Government Areas of Abia State, underscoring her commitment to inclusive governance and job creation.

In a statement signed by Tosin Oluwalowo, Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Office of the minister engagements were described as part of her people-centred approach to governance, aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

A major highlight of the activities was the foundation-laying ceremony of the Abia State Skill Acquisition Centre at Uvim community, Isuikwuato L.G.A., performed on Tuesday, December 24, 2025.

The centre, which will feature an administrative block and hostel facilities, is to be delivered in line with the standard design and operational framework approved for all National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Skill Acquisition Centres nationwide.

Speaking at the project site, Onyejeocha said the centre is designed to “expand access to practical skills training, empower young people and improve employability across the state,” stressing that it will operate with uniform standards to ensure “quality, uniformity and relevance to today’s labour market.” She assured community leaders and other stakeholders that the project would be completed within one year.

“Our focus is not just on starting projects, but on delivering functional centres that equip Nigerians with skills for decent work and sustainable livelihoods,” the Minister said. “I assure you this project will be completed within 12 months.”

Also speaking at the event, a former member of the Abia State House of Assembly representing Isuikwuato State Constituency, Emeka Okorafor, described the skill acquisition centre as “a massive intervention aimed at giving skills to our people and taking young people off the streets,” noting that Onyejeocha “has always believed that the youth must be taken out of the street.”

Earlier, the Minister commissioned and handed over a newly constructed town hall for the Isuikwuato Town Development Union, to serve as a multi-purpose civic centre for community activities and engagements.

Onyejeocha also used the period to deepen humanitarian outreach. As part of her annual Christmas engagements, she hosted members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nkeiruka Onyejeocha Foundation from Isuikwuato and Umunneochi Federal Constituency at her country home in Ngodo Isuochi, Umunneochi L.G.A.

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The event featured prayers, goodwill messages and the distribution of bags of rice, wrappers and cash gifts to over 2,000 beneficiaries.

On December 28, 2025, the Minister further hosted over 1,000 widows and indigent citizens, providing food items, wrappers and cash support. The outreach culminated in a night of praise organised by the Methodist Bishop of Nneochi, His Lordship Bishop Tasie, in conjunction with Bishop Ken Egbuchie and Bishop Eze of the Mgboo and Aba Diocese. The programme attracted traditional rulers, women organisations and gospel artistes, including Frank Edwards.

Reflecting on the series of engagements, Onyejeocha said they reflect her commitment to people-focused leadership and sustainable development. “This is another step in strengthening skills development and job creation, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she said. “We are committed to building opportunities that translate into real livelihoods for our people.”