Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), yesterday announced full plans for its 16th yearly Autism Conference and a week-long series of activities aimed at moving the conversation on autism from awareness to what it described as “acceptance in action.
The programme, under GTCO’s Orange Ribbon Initiative, will run from Monday, July 27 to Saturday, August 1.
It is split into two segments: a two-day conference and four days of free one-on-one consultations for families.
Speaking at a media briefing yesterday at the company’s head office, GTCO’s Chief Head of Corporate Communications, Oyinade Adegite, said the theme for this year, “Acceptance in Action: From Family to Classroom to Workplace to Public Spaces,” was chosen deliberately to reflect practical steps that can be taken in everyday life.
“The Orange Ribbon Initiative has, over the past 16 years, walked alongside families navigating autism, witnessing what we describe as the resilience of individuals on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and the transformation of many homes into spaces of genuine belonging,” Adegite said.
According to her, the conference will feature expert-led discussions, several paper presentations, workshops and experience sharing sessions.
The conference is scheduled for Monday, July 27 and Tuesday, July 28 at the Muson Centre, Lagos.
Following the conference, free one-on-one family consultations with medical and developmental specialists will hold from Wednesday, July 29 to Saturday, August 1 at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja.
Adegite explained that the decision to retain “Acceptance in Action” as the central idea was to push stakeholders beyond slogans.
“Acceptance can be as simple as creating space for a child in public. It might just be you bringing composure into that situation that makes the parents caring for the child feel comfortable,” she said.
She added that acceptance also means understanding when a child does not want to participate and not forcing interaction.
She noted that in Nigeria’s current economic climate, many people operate in “survival mode,” which she said can erode empathy.
The media briefing also featured a panel of specialists including behaviour analyst and founder of Cradle Lounge Special Needs Initiative, Solape Azazi, Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo and Osezusi Bolodeoku.
Azazi urged members of the public to act as “foot soldiers” in their communities.
She stressed that the responsibility for acceptance rests with everyone, not just professionals or GTCO.
On what changes can be made in public spaces, panelists suggested the creation of sensory-friendly areas to help individuals on the spectrum with regulation.
Adegite noted that because autism is not visible, public understanding is critical.
Nwokolo addressed the need for government engagement. She appealed to the Federal Government to include parents and professionals as stakeholders in policymaking, arguing that policies without the input of end users often fail.
She noted that the Disability Act currently focuses largely on physical disability and does not adequately address neurodevelopmental conditions like autism.
In a statement released alongside the announcement, GTCO’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Segun Agbaje, said the programme has evolved into a leading platform for autism advocacy in West Africa.
“Sixteen years ago, we set out to help families navigate a journey that too often felt isolating. Today, this programme stands as proof of what sustained commitment can achieve,” Agbaje said.
He noted that this year’s theme challenges everyone to move past good intentions and start making inclusion visible.
“In the way we design our schools, structure our workplaces, and welcome one another in public spaces.”
Agbaje added that building an inclusive society requires collective effort, pointing out that no single institution can build an inclusive society alone.
