One of Nigeria’s greatest female sprinters, Mary Onyali, has been appointed Ambassador of Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (NTIC).

Also appointed at the ceremony was retired Air Commodore Darlington Egbunu Abdullahi, as 61 staff members of the college were honoured for long and dedicated service.

The event, which combined the Conferment and Investiture of NTIC Ambassadors with the presentation of Long Service Awards, brought together educators, administrators and guests to celebrate nearly three decades of institutional growth anchored on staff commitment.

Managing Director of NTIC, Feyzullah Bilgin, said the college’s 28-year journey has been sustained by the dedication and resilience of its workforce across campuses in Lagos, Kano, Yobe, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory.

“I would like to appreciate all NTIC staff members, particularly the 61 individuals who have been part of our journey for more than 15 years,” Bilgin said. “Your patience, dedication and perseverance are recognised and valued.”

The 61 honourees received appreciation packages, including 13 months’ salary, in recognition of their years of service.

Bilgin stressed that the strength of any school system depends largely on the quality and commitment of its teachers, particularly at the nursery, primary and secondary levels.

“There is no flourishing school without flourishing staff,” he stated, adding that NTIC prioritises continuous professional development and operates both the Nigerian and international Cambridge curricula.

Beyond staff recognition, the ceremony featured the formal appointment of Onyali, a 1996 Olympic 200 metres bronze medalist, and Air Commodore Abdullahi as NTIC Ambassadors.

Bilgin described the appointments as intentional and aligned with the college’s vision of producing well-rounded and responsible leaders.

“Their conferment is not merely honorary; it is intentional and educational. They serve as living reference points for our students — examples of responsible leadership, resilience and the pursuit of excellence,” he said.

In her response, Onyali described the honour as deeply meaningful and linked it to her passion for youth empowerment and education.

“One of the main reasons I returned to Nigeria after retiring from active sports was youth empowerment and education,” she said. “NTIC has achieved remarkable standards, and we will work to expand its impact even further.”

The college described Abdullahi as a model of discipline, lifelong learning and service, noting that his career reflects the values the institution seeks to instill in its students.

The ceremony concluded with the formal investiture of the two ambassadors and the presentation of awards to the 61 staff members. (AriseNews TV)

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