GTCo unveils plans for Autism 2023 Conference

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCo) has unveiled plans for this year’s Autism Conference, scheduled to hold in Nigeria and Ghana in July and August, respectively.

Unveiling the plans in Lagos on Thursday, the Chief Communication Officer, GTCo Plc, Mrs. Oyinade Adegite, stated that this year’s conference, tagged ‘Empowering Voices for Autism,’ will be held at the Muson Centre on July 25 and 26, this year, while the free one-on-one clinic opens from July 26 to July 29 also in Lagos.

She explained that the Ghana edition, the second to be held in the West African country,  will begin with a workshop on August 1 at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana, and would be followed by consultation sessions, lasting between August 2nd to 5th at the same time.

According to her, this year’s event, the 13th in the series, aims to promote inclusivity and self-advocacy for persons on the Autism Spectrum.

“We believe people on the Autism Spectrum have a lot to offer to society, and so it is our duty to support and encourage them by giving them a voice, for them to be heard, and to also experience life to the fullest,” she stated.

Besides providing those with the disorder the opportunity to access specialists and partner organisations,  within and outside Nigeria, free of charge, the conference, she added, would also feature lectures, panel discussions, and performances carefully prepared to showcase the diverse talents that exist in the autism community.

“Since this is a life-long living condition,  we are also assuring that our support will last for as long as we can,” she added.

Commending GTCo on the corporate social responsibility initiative,  an autism advocate, Producer, and Writer,  Remi Olutimayin, believes such a conference has become imperative to enable people living with such conditions to be provided the opportunity to be heard.

Olutimayin, also billed to participate at the Conference as one of the resource persons, stated, ” It’s just scary when you realize, as somebody living such condition, that you don’t fit in.  It’s either you are too low or too high. That is why I will be speaking from the position of experience at the conference and be telling those with the disorder how I was able to make it despite the challenge”.