In a stirring demonstration of corporate commitment to inclusion and education, Union Bank of Nigeria on Tuesday, July 23, 2025, joined the graduation ceremony of the Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted Children in Lagos, applauding the exceptional academic journey of its graduating students.

Held within the school premises, the event brought together students, educators, stakeholders, and supporters of inclusive education. The celebration marked not only the academic milestone of the students but also the broader message of empowerment, resilience, and access to quality education for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Union Bank, one of Nigeria’s oldest and most respected financial institutions, leveraged the platform to showcase its UnionCares Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The initiative focuses on creating long-term social impact across three core pillars: support for vulnerable groups, education and skill development, and community well-being.

Speaking at the ceremony, Olufunmilola Aluko, Union Bank’s Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, commended the courage and achievements of the graduates.

“Union Bank proudly stands as a champion of inclusiveness and equitable representation. Through our UnionCares corporate social responsibility initiative, we are committed to supporting vulnerable and underrepresented communities. We celebrate the incredible achievements of these students and reaffirm our dedication to empowering them to reach their full potential,” Aluko said.

A Legacy of Advocacy for Inclusive Growth

With over 108 years of service, Union Bank has maintained its dedication to empowering communities, especially underserved and marginalized groups. The Bank’s continued collaboration with institutions like Pacelli School reflects its mission to advance inclusive policies and drive equal opportunities across Nigeria.

Pacelli School, a revered institution that has for decades nurtured the academic dreams of visually impaired children, has become a symbol of perseverance and possibility. The involvement of corporate partners like Union Bank further boosts its visibility and resources in fostering academic excellence.

UnionCares: Impact Beyond the Ceremony

Under the UnionCares CSR platform, the Bank undertakes projects that go beyond ceremonial involvement. Initiatives include:

Support for Vulnerable Groups: Programs tailored to empower PWDs and marginalized communities through education and infrastructure.

Education & Skill Development: Scholarships, learning tools, and vocational training for students in disadvantaged situations.

Community Well-being: Health, sanitation, and social development programmes aimed at improving quality of life at the grassroots level.

The Bank emphasized that it will continue to forge meaningful partnerships with organisations that align with its vision for a more inclusive and compassionate Nigeria.

“We are proud to walk this path with institutions like Pacelli School. Our presence here is more than symbolic; it is a pledge to continue advocating for equity, empathy, and educational empowerment,” Aluko added.

About Union Bank

Founded in 1917, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc is a leading provider of banking and financial services with a strong emphasis on digital transformation. The Bank offers a wide range of services including savings, loans, digital payments, trade finance, and wealth management, backed by a robust digital infrastructure.

With a nationwide presence of over 300 branches, Union Bank maintains its promise of “Simpler, Smarter Banking”, delivering accessible financial solutions to individuals, businesses, and public institutions.

For further information, visit: www.unionbankng.com

Lagos Conference Calls for Holistic Action in Autism Support.

Calls for systemic reform, technological adoption, community-driven advocacy, and more compassionate individualised care echoed through the halls of the MUSON Centre, Onikan, as GTCO Plc marked 15 years of autism inclusion advocacy with its 2025 Annual Autism Conference. Themed “From Awareness to Action: 15 Years of Advancing Autism Inclusion,” the event convened some of the most respected experts in behavioural science, education, technology, psychology, and lived experience.

Delivering the keynote, Mr Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, reflected on the impact of the initiative, pointing out that the real power lies in the curiosity, commitment, and compassion of participants.

“When I stand in this hall this morning… I realised that we must be doing something right,” Agbaje began.

“If you’re a caregiver… you’re going to understand a little better in the next couple of days. And hopefully you’ll all make a little difference… and one day we’ll be able to move forward.”

L–R: Rashard Dobbins, Performer and Production Professional; Lanre Duyile, Behaviour Analyst and Consultant; Solape Azazi, Behaviour Analyst and Autism Advocate; Oyinade Adegite, Chief Communications Officer, GTCO Plc; Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer, GTCO Plc; Babajide Okuntola, Deputy Managing Director, GTBank and Grace Bamgboye, Consultant Speech-Language Pathologist at the 15th edition of the GTCO Autism Conference held at the MUSON Centre, Lagos.

AI as a Classroom Equaliser for Special Needs Education

One of the most compelling presentations came from Oyeyemi Adako, a Special Education Needs (SEN) expert and researcher, who addressed the potential of Artificial Intelligence to support inclusive learning.

“AI acts as a teaching assistant… It enables better communication, detects learning difficulties like autism, and helps prevent children from falling through the cracks,” Adako said.

She noted that low-cost voice-to-text tools and accessibility software are already transforming classrooms globally and urged Nigerian educators to embrace these technologies.

Personalised Behavioural Support Over One-Size-Fits-All Diagnosi

The role of tailored intervention strategies featured strongly across sessions led by board-certified behaviour analysts

Lanre Duyile, in his talk “Same Diagnosis, Different Realities,” stressed that each person with autism is unique and requires an individualised approach.

“If you have five million people with autism, you have five million subsets. You can’t treat them the same,” he explained, using the A-B-C model (Antecedent, Behaviour, Consequence) to design support plans.

Carmiella Hay followed with practical insights on promoting independence and managing behaviours effectively.

“Use visual supports… Don’t rely on eye contact to know someone is listening. Understand the function of a behaviour — don’t just try to eliminate it.”

Asset-Based Framing Over Diagnostic Deficits

Shifting focus from pathology to potential, Georgiana Koyama discussed the dangers of diagnostic overshadowing, where autism is wrongly blamed for unrelated behaviours.

“It’s not always ‘because they’re autistic’. A child banging their head might have a headache. We must stop reducing people to their diagnosis,” she said.

She encouraged parents and professionals to use strength-based descriptions and design support systems around aspirations rather than limitations.

Grassroots Advocacy That Inspires National Replication

From a deeply personal lens, Solape Azazi, founder of Cradle Lounge, shared how a lack of representation and community drove her to build one.

“After my child’s diagnosis, there were no Nigerian stories, no cultural relevance, just stigma,” she said.

What began as a simple classroom inclusion initiative has now grown into a local-government-supported advocacy model, complete with community workshops, surveys, and policy dialogues. Her efforts have been adopted by other communities across Lagos.

“We can’t wait for the government. We are the government. Once we act, the system will catch up,” she charged.

AAA Framework: Awareness, Acceptance, Accommodation

Osezusi Bolodeoku, founder of FOS ABA Centre and an educational psychologist, introduced her AAA Framework — a pathway from understanding to action.

“Awareness turns on the light. Acceptance clears the fog. Accommodation is the action. This conference is that action,” she explained.

She emphasised the importance of early intervention, drawing from her own experience raising a child with ADHD.

“I began with home-based speech therapy and diet changes. My son is now thriving because we started early.”

Action Beyond Words: The Role of Institutions

In her interview session with NigeriaUpdates, Professor Mashudat Bello-Mojeed, a professor of psychiatry and public health, and Chief Consultant at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, brought a policy-level perspective.

“Autism is everybody’s business — not just for families or therapists. From schools to workplaces, we all have a role,” she stated.

She called for:

Inclusive schools with trained staff and learning aids

Collaborative therapy models within education

Vocational training for economic inclusion

Policy frameworks that match international standards

“Children with autism deserve not just education, but dignity, independence, and equal opportunities in life,” she said.

15 Years On: A Movement, Not Just a Conference

Since 2009, the GTCO Autism Programme has:

Trained thousands of educators and caregivers

Hosted annual regional and international conferences

Supported families through free consultations and therapy services

Provided community awareness campaigns across Nigeria and West Africa

Each year has built on the last, not just with words, but with action — the very transition this year’s theme demands.

As Segun Agbaje summed it up:

“If we’re asking more questions, having deeper conversations, and supporting one another — then we’re definitely doing something right.”

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) is marking a significant milestone in its long-standing commitment to autism awareness and support as it hosts the 15th edition of its annual Autism Conference from Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Themed “From Awareness to Action: 15 Years of Advancing Autism Inclusion,” the event reaffirms GTCO’s leadership in creating inclusive environments for neurodiverse individuals across Africa.

15 Years of the Orange Ribbon Initiative

The two-day conference, which takes place at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos from July 16, will be followed by free one-on-one clinic consultations between July 17 and 19 at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja. In line with its Pan-African approach, GTCO will replicate the initiative in Ghana with a workshop on July 21 and clinic consultations from July 22–24 at the University of Professional Studies, Accra.

This year’s event is part of GTCO’s flagship Orange Ribbon Initiative, a platform launched in 2009 to provide sustained advocacy, diagnosis, and support for individuals and families navigating life with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions.

*PHOTO CAPTION*
L – R:
Oluwatosin Onabanjo; Corporate Communications GTCO Plc; Solape Azazi, Behaviour Analyst and Autism Advocate; Oyinade Adegite, Chief Communication Officer, GTCO Plc; Dr. Grace Bamgboye, Consultant Speech-Language Pathologist; Osezusi Bolodeoku, Behaviour Analyst & Founder, FOS ABA Centre Clinic and Aderinsola Alex-Adedipe, Corporate Communications, GTCO Plc at the GTCO 15th Autism Conference Media Briefing held in Lagos.

A Vision Rooted in Inclusion and Empowerment

Speaking on the enduring impact of the programme, Mr. Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, reflected on the journey so far:

“The Orange Ribbon Initiative began in 2009 as our commitment to advocate for children with neurodevelopmental disorders and to support the families and caregivers who nurture them. What started as a simple but focused effort has grown to shape how we advocate, how we listen, and how we respond. This is the foundation upon which the Autism programme is built—one that champions acceptance, encourages early intervention, and advocates for a future where every child is given the opportunity to thrive.”

Mr. Agbaje emphasized that the initiative has evolved into a transformative social movement, saying:

“Now in its fifteenth year, the GTCO Autism Programme remains committed to advocacy, support, and empowerment of children and adults living with Autism. We have been building a space for dialogue, learning, and transformation—not just for the autism community, but for all of us working towards a more compassionate society.”

Free Consultations and Global Expertise

At a press briefing announcing the 2025 edition, Oyinade Adegbite, Chief Communications Officer of GTCO, highlighted the inclusive scope and expert-led sessions planned:

“For this year, the programme will span two days of intensive conference sessions with local and international facilitators, followed by three days of free consultations for families, caregivers, and individuals living with autism. The same structure will be replicated in Ghana, with a workshop on July 21 and clinic consultations from July 22nd to 24th.”

Adegbite added that GTCO’s approach places families and caregivers at the centre of the initiative, providing professional diagnosis, therapy referrals, and community support at no cost.

From Lagos to Accra: Building a Pan-African Movement

With its expansion into Ghana for the second year, GTCO is reinforcing the cross-border potential of its autism advocacy. The initiative aligns with broader goals of neurodiversity inclusion, public awareness, and mental health empowerment across Africa.

The GTCO Autism Conference 2025 is expected to attract educators, therapists, medical professionals, families, NGOs, and policymakers, all working together to build a continent where no child is left behind.GTCO Autism Conference 2025, autism support Nigeria, autism awareness Africa, Orange Ribbon Initiative, Segun Agbaje GTCO, autism event Lagos, autism clinic Ghana, inclusive education Africa, GTBank autism programme