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Autism: Experts Seek Policies, Legislation To Increase Job Opportunities For Affected

Published

3 years ago

July 28, 2023

Editor

To mitigate the challenges faced by individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ASD, experts have called for effective policies and legislation to encourage organisations to give opportunities to Nigerians on the spectrum.

Speaking at the just-concluded Annual GTCO Autism Conference in Lagos, international and national experts who gathered at the conference agreed that implementing legislation that gives credit to firms will help create organisations to create job opportunities for persons on the ASD spectrum.

The President of the Behaviourprise Consulting Incorporation, based in Toronto, Canada, Lanre Duyile, suggested tax breaks implementation for organisations that provide needed jobs for persons on the spectrum, adding that such action could encourage more companies to toe the same line.

Duyile who spoke to journalists shortly after his presentation at the event themed: ‘Empowering voices for Autism’ designed to make parents of children living with autism as well as adults, accept the condition rather than choose to live in denial.

He explained that ASD is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain.

He said people with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviours or interests.

He stressed that one of the major challenges of people with ASD was the difficulty in getting jobs for living with the disability even though getting needed jobs for them is an issue of human rights.

He posited that for persons with ASD, experts noted that this group of persons should not be excluded from jobs, adding that they must live an inclusive lifestyle.

Addressing the specific challenge of limited job opportunities from the public and private sector facing autistic persons in communities, Duyile said: “I thought if the legislature could do this and make laws encouraging firms to create job opportunities and allow organisations and people who do this to get some tax breaks,” it will help.

Responding to questions on whether autistic persons can provide services needed in communities, Duyile said whenever they get close to graduation, they should be exposed to various vocational skills.

“Maybe they can help with moving boxes from one place to the next or maybe it’s in making sure things are clean. Whatever it is as far as it is skill oriented, it’s about jobs for affected persons.”

The Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company PLC, Mr Segun Agbaje said with autism rates increasing around the world, “It is pertinent to ramp up support available to persons with autism and their families. In this regard, each of us has a vital role to play in shaping a society that fully embraces diversity within the autism spectrum and actively promotes acceptance of persons with autism.”

Agbaje said there was the need to ensure “We must ensure that every voice is heard and every experience is valued, simply because we believe that when it comes to autism and other neurological disorders, inclusivity is not just a checkbox to mark off, it is rather a transformative force that fuels growth and success.”

On the theme of the conference ‘Empowering Voices for Autism,’ the GCEO of GTCO said, “We hope to significantly expand the frontiers of autism management and inspire confidence in individuals with autism to reach their fullest potential in art, business, leadership, innovation and other aspects of human development.”

On her part, Tomi Agboola, a speech and 6 based in London, said the programme is about giving a voice to our loved ones.

She said the effect of living with autism can be downplayed but those around them “can change the environment and the setting and make sure that they are at the same level with us.

“That is by giving them structures and providing references, strategies, and techniques which are crucial.’
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News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

52 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

7 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

7 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.