…AS PROFESSIONALS SEEK NEW APPROACHES
By Okosun Dennis
The Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), Mr. Segun Agbaje, said on Wednesday that the bank has a lot to do to dispel every form of misconception about people living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
He stated that their primary objective is to create robust awareness which is one of the most important aspects of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
In his opening remarks at the 15th GTCO Annual Autism Conference at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos on Wednesday, 16th July, 2025, he emphasized that “Awareness is the starting line, while action is the race.”
Explaining that they still have a lot of work to do, he added that “we would continue to engage in the relay marathon and hope to make a significant difference in no distant time.”
The one-day conference brought together experts, professionals, caregivers in autism management, and advocates who discussed various salient aspects of how to manage autistic individuals, making them adaptable to the realities and responding to the dynamics that would assist their functioning in society.
In his lecture, Lanre Duyile, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Behaviorprise Consulting Inc. Behaviorprise College of Business and Health Studies, Toronto, Canada, took participants through a genealogical survey and research of autism, outlining the inherent manifestations and behaviourial patterns of an autistic individual, adding that researches have proved that victims recline or withdraw to themselves.
He implored parents not to disparage individuals living with ASD but to see them as part of society that needs attention and support.
In an interview, Duyile canvassed for a holistic action that requires every child who needs support to get it; families can get a diagnosis without paying for consultation and have access to early intervention, which is very expensive.
Reiterating, he adumbs that such action-based interventions should bring more partners, government involvement and community engagement.
He disclosed that GTCO Autism one-on-one consultation sessions have brought more families with children with autism spectrum disorders, re-emphasizing that what bothers them as professionals is being able to leverage such opportunities to present data of what has been going on, analyse and give precise outcomes.
“In about four consultations, we’ve seen about 200 families with only a few people returning, and that means we are getting new families with cases, and they come from different states and are looking for solutions.”
Duyile, who lent his voice in support of the use of A1, advised its moderation despite its obvious advantages. He cautioned parents on its use but called on researchers to exploit the technology to their advantage while looking forward to deploying it in data analysis and diagnosis.
Lanre Duyile, who has over 20 years of diverse experience in business and developmental services in Toronto, Canada, used the opportunity to encourage professionals to get more training and become better skilled in what they are doing to support ASD individuals.
To the families, he empathized with them and sought support.
The journey began in 2009, with a commitment to advocate for children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), to stop the stigmatization, and support parents and caregivers alike. This commitment welcomed the Orange Ribbon Initiative.
Orange Ribbon Initiative is one of the ways we demonstrate our support for persons with developmental disabilities, focusing on those with ASD as part of their CSR.
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