Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc has restated its commitment towards promoting inclusivity and self-advocacy for persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through its autism conference and consultations in Nigeria and Ghana.
It gave the assurance during a media briefing, yesterday, in Lagos to announce the 2023 conference with the theme, “Empowering Voices for Autism.”
The bank said the conference had grown to become a reference point for autism advocacy and intervention in Africa, thereby providing support and empowerment to thousands of people with neuro-developmental disorders.
Its Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje, said it is important that persons with the autism spectrum are given the chance to succeed and empowered to experience life to its fullest, hence the bank’s collaboration with specialists and partner organisations to drive a change in Nigeria and Ghana.
“We are excited about the evolving insights on management of autism and remain committed to ensuring that more and more persons with autism spectrum disorder are able to find their voice and embrace their uniqueness whilst contributing meaningfully to society,” he said.
Agbaje said this year’s conference would feature lectures, panel discussions and performances carefully prepared to showcase diverse talents that exist in the autism community.
According to him, the conference will hold on July 24 and 25, while the free one-on-one clinic will open from July 26-29 in Lagos.
He said the conference would also hold in Ghana, with a workshop on August 1 at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana, while consultations will last from August 2-5 at the same venue.
Agbaje, however, noted that the conference would also create a platform for persons with ASD and their families to connect and share ideas with subject-matter experts on different aspects of autism spectrum disorder, including its nature and management.
