Three former governors of Abia State, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, the All Progressives Congress and scores of public office holders and politicians were among Nigerians who celebrated with a former Abia State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, Prof. Philips Nto, on his birthday.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator T. A. Orji and Ambassador Okezie Ikpeazu, all former governors of Abia State, were among the first in a long list of dignitaries who extolled Philips Nto for his contributions to nation-building and prayed for long life for him as he marked his birthday on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
They were joined by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the APC, Abia State Chapter, the National President of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria, Prof. Jude Mbanasor, the APC governorship candidate in Abia State, Chief Eric Opah, and his deputy, Godswill Agu Egbe.
Others include former Commissioners, Chief Charles Ogbonnaya and Ngozi Orji, the APC South-East Youth Leader, Barr. Chima Ogbonnaya, and Ututu Development Association, Umuahia Branch.
They all agreed that Philips Nto, who is a former Provost of Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu, has distinguished himself in academics, public service and mentorship of his generation.
They also described him as a man of integrity who excelled in all the offices he occupied.
In his goodwill message, the Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District and former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, congratulated Prof. Philips Nto on the occasion of his birthday.
The former governor acknowledged Nto’s contributions to public service, particularly his experience in financial management, public administration and economic development.
Kalu noted that birthdays provide an opportunity for reflection, gratitude to God and renewed commitment to personal and societal development.
“On behalf of the good people of Abia North Senatorial District, I extend my warm congratulations and best wishes to Prof. Philips Nto on the occasion of his birthday.
“As a former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in Abia State, Prof. Nto has contributed his knowledge and experience to public service and the development of our state.
“On this special occasion, I wish Prof. Nto continued success in his endeavours and many more opportunities to contribute to the progress and well-being of the nation.”
On his own, a former Governor of Abia State and two-term Senator, Chief Theodore Ahamaefule Orji, penned a heartfelt goodwill message to his former Commissioner, Prof. Philips Nto, saying he remains a loyal, dependable and grateful associate.
Senator Orji declared that among all the people he empowered while in office as governor, Philips Nto was among the very few who continued to acknowledge his intervention in their lives.
In an emotional goodwill message, Senator Orji said he held Philips Nto in high esteem because of his exemplary character of showing gratitude to benefactors.
He said, “Although it’s been more than 13 years since you finished your assignment as a commissioner satisfactorily, you have not forgotten my token gesture, and you have speedily built on that foundation. It is rare to find people of your calibre who remain loyal and appreciative for this long.”
The former governor noted that Nto’s phenomenal growth in all aspects of his life could be directly attributed to his sense of appreciation and predicted an even better future for him.
In his goodwill message to Prof. Nto on his birthday, Ikpeazu, who is the immediate past Governor of Abia State, commended him for his efforts at nation-building.
“Your life journey stands as a testament to dedicated service, intellectual rigour and unwavering commitment to nation-building,” the Ambassador wrote.
He said the former Provost of Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu, had demonstrated vision, integrity and passion for societal progress throughout his public service and academic career.
While praying God to grant Prof. Philips Nto continued good health, abundant wisdom, peace and long life to achieve even greater heights in service to humanity, Ikpeazu urged him to remain steadfast in mentoring future generations.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, described Prof. Philips Nto as a man of integrity who had contributed immensely to the development of Abia State.
In his goodwill message, Kalu declared that Philips Nto’s contributions to public administration and the advancement of education remained valuable to the growth and progress of the state.
The Deputy Speaker noted that Nto had made his mark in areas that had impacted the state and therefore deserved to be celebrated on his birthday.
While praying God to grant Nto good health, renewed strength and abundant joy, Kalu said he was joining other well-wishers to congratulate the former Commissioner on his birthday.
Reflecting on Prof. Nto’s rich record of public service, the APC governorship candidate in Abia State, Chief Eric Opah, described him as a trustworthy ally whose commitment to the liberation of Abia from political deceit was not in doubt.
Similarly, the Director-General of Chief Eric Opah’s campaign organisation, Chief Charles Ogbonnaya, described Prof. Nto as a man whose friendship had metamorphosed into brotherhood on account of his consistency and accountability in public and private life.
The APC in the state eulogised Nto for being a committed member who had helped to stabilise the party in the state.
In the same vein, the South-East Youth Leader of the APC, Barr. Chima Ogbonnaya, commended the former Commissioner for always being there for the youths of Abia State and prayed God to continue to preserve him in good health.
In his goodwill message, the National President of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria, Prof. Jude Mbanasor, described Nto as a thorough academic who was highly committed to his job as a teacher.
