I taught him in school. He became a commissioner. I have not been a commissioner. He rose to become the Provost of Abia State College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu. I have not been a Provost. Currently, we are colleagues in the same Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. For all these years, Dr. Philips Nto has always accorded me my due respect. He has always sought my advice, not just in academics but in personal issues, reflecting his rich upbringing and cultural values, reaffirming the Igbo adage that when a child washes his hands clean, he dines with the elders.
One remarkable quality of Philips Nto is his passion for excellence and hard work. He does not fail in any assignment given to him. He is resourceful,resilient, and highly intelligent and has often employed his God-given skills for the advancement of MOUAU, Abia State, and Nigeria.
I remember the first assignment he was given at MOUAU as the Deputy Director ,Centre for Gender and Child Development. The management of the institution took notice of his organisational skills when he effortlessly brought the high and mighty for the launch held by the centre for its project. The current governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, was among the dignitaries that he attracted. It was not long before Governor T A Orji appointed him as the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, where again he distinguished himself and became a worthy ambassador of MOUAU.
Because he had become the proverbial golden fish that could not be hidden, Dr Philips Nto in 2016 was appointed as the Provost of Abia State College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu. A lily livered person would have turned down the appointment because it looked more like a punishment. The college was in a coma. It was a glorified secondary school bereft of basic infrastructure for effective teaching and learning. But this young man took the challenge in his stride, and it was later recorded for him that he raised the college from the dead and returned it to the glory envisioned by the founding fathers. He not only infused life in the academic aspect of the college but transformed the infrastructural base ,making it attractive to be converted to a university.
But there is one significant thing that happened during the nine years or so Philips Nto served as Commissioner and Provost. He still taught his courses in the university. He still supervised his students. But he refused to take any salary or stipend. Maybe it was against the public service rules. But if he wanted to circumvent it, he would have. It just manifested his strength of character that he would serve unblemished. He even donated a vehicle for research.
As every teacher, whether at primary, secondary, or tertiary level, knows, nothing gives us pride as seeing our students being successful in life. I think that after parents, teachers are the only group of people who want their proteges to excel more than them. Nto has not only met my expectations of him ,but he has surpassed them.
To those who have not interacted with him, in person, he is stubborn. But to us who really know him, he is consistent, cerebral, and committed to any cause that he has chosen to pursue. In battles, he leads from the front. But he is also not afraid to admit his mistakes.
For the past three years that he has been in charge of Agribusiness Incubation Centre in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike ( MOUAU) ,Dr Philips Nto has also demonstrated his admintrative acumen, attracting sponsorships and creating the necessary awareness needed to push the agenda of the centre which is to assist and train farmers in modern techniques of agriculture for improved food production and food security. In all ,I would say that Dr Philips Nto has really excelled in academics and public service. It is noteworthy that
I have carried out more than 30 research studies with Dr Nto and the outcomes or results published in world class and reputable journals.
Therefore on this occasion of his birthday, Wednesday, October 28th, 2026, I am publicly acknowledging him as a man who although has recorded a phenomenal growth in many aspects of life, still has much to contribute to the growth of our nation. Happy birthday, Nto.
Prof Jude Mbanasor is the National President of Agricultural Society of Nigeria ( ASN)
