By Doris Obinna
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) will on Monday begin the 14th edition of its annual conference, which will centre on autism and follow-up consultations.
According to GTCO, during a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, this year’s conference, with theme: “A spectrum of possibilities,” will promote inclusivity, self-advocacy and empowerment for persons on the autism spectrum.
Reading a press statement, Mr. Charles Eremi, for the GTCO Group Corporate Communications, disclosed that the theme aligns with the bank’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and its goal of creating a society where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their background or abilities.
On the GTCO Autism Program, he said it was a flagship project under the Orange Ribbon Initiative, which has established itself as a beacon of hope and a reference point for autism advocacy and intervention in Africa.
The statement said: “Over the years, the programme has made significant impact, providing support and empowerment to thousands of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders.
“In collaboration with specialists and partner organisations from Nigeria and outside Nigeria, the programme will feature lectures, panel discussions, and performances carefully prepared to showcase the diverse talents that exist in the autism community.
“The programme will also create a platform where families and guardians can connect with experts and share experiences and insights. These interactive platforms will facilitate meaningful discussions and knowledge sharing on various aspects of autism.
“In Nigeria, the programme will be held on Monday 15 and 16 July at the Muson Centre, Lagos, whilst the free one-on-one clinic consultations will open from Tuesday, July 16 to 20 at the Chapel of Light, Alausa, Ikeja.”
Mr. Eremi quoted the Group CEO of GTCO, Mr. Segun Abgaje, as saying regarding 2024 GTCO Autism Programme: “Everyone has something special to offer, and we want to help individuals with autism succeed and lead healthy, supportive lives. By embracing autism as a strength and not a weakness, we can help individuals with ASD find their passion, develop skills and make meaningful impact in society.”
“We are learning more about autism every day and we are dedicated to using that knowledge to make a positive difference. We believe that everyone deserves to live a fulfilling life and we are committed to making that possible; by working together we can build a society that values diversity, promotes inclusion and empowers everyone to thrive.”
Also speaking at the press briefing, an educational psychologist and autism specialist, Osezusi Bolodeoku, who will be speaking at the conference, said that the theme for this year’s event was centered around accessing the possibilities because “we are not looking at autism from the deficit point of view anymore. It is not a problem anymore. This year, we are not coming from problems, but instead, we are coming from the angle of possibilities; that is ‘what can these people do’?
“This year, we will have a lot of teaching and information. For example, information about companies/organisations that only employ autistic individuals because they are the ones that have the level of intelligence quotient (IQ) they require.
“Also everyone that’ll be facilitating will be providing tangible strategies that parents can use to find those possibilities in their children.”