Meet the speakers
.jpg)
Speakers
 Bosede Ehimen AsikhiaBosede Ehimen Asikhia, BCBA, QBA, BSc. Ed., MSc. Rehab. & Disability Mgt., is the Program Director for International Training Center for Applied Behavior Analysis Lagos Nigeria and Home-Link International Inc. New Jersey USA, an agency that provides behavioral and educational intervention services for children with developmental disabilities. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Dublin, Republic of Ireland and had had her Educational training in Applied Behavior Analysis in Florida Institute of Technology, USA. She is an Educationist and inclusion consultant who ran ABA International School and Sweet Home residential facility in Lagos Nigeria. She is a former Program Director of Partial Care Center with the Family Care Center, Inc. in Idaho Falls. She has trained several RBT and Board Certified Behavior Analysts in the United States and in the continent of Africa. Member QABA’s International Standards Committee. She is the current President of the Association for Behavior Analysis in Nigeria [ABAN]. Appearance
|
 Dr. Neil MartinDr. Martin has been working as a behaviour analyst (as a clinician, academic, supervisor and researcher), since 1990. He received his PhD from the University of Reading (UK) in 1998 and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2002. H e was among the first handful of BCBAs in the UK and he was one of the 'ABA Lecturer's Co-operative' that developed the first BACB-approved course sequence in the UK, and the first outside the US. After working within academia at the University of Kent, Dr. Martin worked independently for many years teaching on a number of BCBA/BCaBA course sequences and helping to establish others around the world, supervising students and consulting to numerous organisations and families both in the UK and internationally. Dr. Martin has published research in journals such as the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, The Behavior Analyst, Research in Developmental Disabilities and the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, and he has special interests in the use of technology, media and software related to teaching and research. Dr. Martin was one of the international subject matter experts that last reviewed the BACB Task List and he was also one of the subject matter experts that generated the BACB Autism Task List and the BACB Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts. In April 2015 Dr. Martin became the BACB’s Director of International Development to help advance the BACB's global mission and vision and to expand the number of behavior analysts and training courses worldwide. He lives in London. Appearance
|
 Dr. Kathy Niager, Ph.D.Dr. Niager earned her B.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology from The University of Georgia. Between her undergraduate studies and her Masters degree from Georgia State University, Dr. Niager served in the United States Air Force as a Captain in the division of Emergency Mobility. She completed several fellowships and internships, including individual, group and family therapy at Odyssey Family Counseling Center, clinical comprehensive psychological screenings of school-aged children at The University of Georgia, and worked in several departments at the Kennedy Krieger Institute at Johns Hopkins University. Her work there was in the Child and Family Therapy Clinic, on the behavioral pediatrics consultation team, and with the neurobehavior and severe behavior disorders inpatient units. She also worked as therapist for autistic and intellectually disabled children at Kennedy Krieger Institute School at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Niager assessed and treated children and counseled the parents of at-risk children for the Center for Infant Study at the University of Maryland. She was appointed their Program Coordinator; assessing, consulting and providing therapeutic treatment for children at risk. In 2002, Dr. Niager realized her vision to create a comprehensive center for innovative therapies for children with autism. She opened Trellis Services, Inc., and it soon became a standard bearer for behavior therapies and progressive treatments through interactive experiences. The organization continues to serve hundreds of autistic children each year. With the growing need for certified autism behavior therapists, Dr. Niager is now working with the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board to ensure clinicians at all levels receive proper credentials to help children and adults across the autism spectrum. Appearance
 Prof. John Okhuoya Ph.D.Prof. John Okhuoya Ph.D. Professor John Okhuoya from Owan local government area of Edo state. He attended Holy Trinity Grammar School in Sabongida Ora. I later came to the University of Benin then Midwest Institute of Technology as a pioneer student. Have my first Degree in Micro Biology. John worked briefly at the Rubber Research Institute here in Benin as a Research officer and later went abroad for my PHD Programme. He had my PHD at the University college Wales, Cardiff, PHD in Mycology, Mushroom Science. He returned to the University of Benin to work as a Lecturer from 1983 rose through the ranks to become a Professor in 1995. Prof. John rose to become Head Of Department of Botany then Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences and also rose to become the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University. .  Dr. Oluwayemi Cecilia OgunDr. Oluwayemi Cecilia Ogun attended College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Lagos Nigeria, where she graduated as a Medical Doctor with MBBS in 1986. She later obtained a Master’s degree of the same university in Public Health (Epidemiology). She thereafter worked in various private and public hospitals in Lagos State before starting her Residency specialist training at Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. She became a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians in 1997 and was appointed as a Consultant in the Hospital in 1998. At various times, she was the Head of Training and Research of the hospital, she became the Head of Clinical Services from 1st March 2010 to 20th March, 2014 and the Acting Medical Director of the Hospital for nine (9) months. For the past 10 years, she has been a trainer and Examiner for the West Africa College of Physicians. She became the pioneer Psychiatrist of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Centre of the Hospital in May 1999. She has attended many local and international trainings and workshops, some of which are leadership trainings, observership programme for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and educational capacity building programme (Doctors as Educators) She has also been involved in community outreach programmes by which she has raised awareness of the community members on mental health issues. The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Centre (CAMHSC) is the first multi-disciplinary Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre in Nigeria and has become a reference point in the country. She has published scientific papers in both local and international journals. Dr. Ogun also belongs to some reputable professional associations such as; Fellow, West African College of Physicians Chairperson – Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists and Allied Professional in Nigeria (ACAPAN) – An affiliate of International Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists and Allied Professional (IACAPAP). Member, Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria. Member, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Member, Nigerian Institute of Management (MNIM) Honorary Member - American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists. The vast of experiences acquired and the hard work as well as dedication to duty exhibited within and outside the hospital made her a clinician per excellence. On 1st June 2017, she was appointed as the substantive Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Dr. Ogun loves reading, singing, dancing, travelling and watching documentaries. Dr. Oluwayemi Cecilia Ogun is happily married with three children. Appearance
 Barrister Johnson O Esezoobor LLMJohnson Odion Esezoobo, LLM BL, ACIArb, Notary Public was born on July 22, 1955 at Afuze-Emai in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State. He attended St. Jude's Catholic Primary School and obtained the First Leaving School Certificate in 1969. He was a pioneer student of St. James's (now) Emai Grammar School, Afuze-Emai, where he obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1973. Johnson Odion Esezoobo attended the prestigious University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) from 1976 to 1979 when he graduated in law with a second class upper division. He went to the Nigerian Law from 1979 to 1980 and obtained the Qualifying Certificate to practice law. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1980. After his National Youth Service in Jos in 1981, Johnson Odion Esezoobo got employed as a legal officer in the defunct National Provident Fund Management Board. He obtained the Master's degree in Law from the University of Lagos in 1982 and went into private practice in 1991. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitratiors, NG, a human rights and anti-corruption crusader. He has a passion for influencing good governance in Nigeria. He has many publications on this. . Appearance
 Dr. Joseph Unufegan Ph. DDr. Joseph Imoukhuede Unufegan is a Nigerian born Canadian. He is a University of Ibadan Alumni. He obtained his Masters and Doctorate Degrees from the Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University, Japan. His area of specialization is International Politics and Development. He has done extensive research in Microfinance and Poverty Alleviation in Developing Countries. He has lived, studied and worked in three different continents namely Africa, Asia and North America. He currently works at the Centre for International Experience, University of Toronto, Canada.
Appearance
 Francis MoheFrancis Mohe BSc. PGDE, RBT, Vice-President Association for Behavior Analysis in Nigeria, [ABAN]. Director, Ike Foundation for Autism (IFA) . . Appearance
|
 Mazi Okey Martins Nwokolo [OMN], PhDMazi OMN has been working with children and adults with autism and related developmental disabilities since the year 2002. He began his career at Acceleration Therapy under the tutelage of Dr. Helen Nwanze of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). His passion for early intervention and accessible services inspired him to lead awareness and advocacy efforts in his birth country of Nigeria. He founded Autism Associates of Nigeria and led others to set up the Center for Autism & Developmental Disabilities (CADD) also in Nigeria. A commitment to advocacy and autism awareness inspired Mazi OMN to initiate the LagosWalk4Autism project in Nigeria. Between 2010 and 2014, Mazi OMN served as a one-on-one aide, Instructional assistant, and behavior consultant at the American International School of Lagos. He served as a Registered Behavior Technician at the Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center (BRAAC) in Virginia. In 2018 he became a Licensed Behavior Analyst in the Commonwealth of Virginia and worked as a behavior consultant in the Roanoke area serving adults within the DD waiver program in Virginia. Mazi OMN upholds a person-centered, solution-focused orientation and advocates Applied Behavior Analysis as an effective technology for behavior change. Mazi OMN currently serves as an ABA supervisor at Family Insight, an Adjunct Professor, and coordinator of the nascent School Counseling in Africa Interest Network. Mazi OMN earned degrees in Psychology from both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and University of Lagos. He proceeded to the Florida Institute of Technology where he obtained a graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis and earned his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Virginia Tech. Mazi OMN was awarded an International Development Grant in 2017 by the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis (SABA). In 2019 he received the Virginia Counseling Association’s (VCA) emerging leader award. He has served on the boards of a few professional organizations including the Virginia Counseling Association and Roanoke Area Counseling Association (ROACA). He is currently a member of the QABA's International Standards Committee. Appearance
| |
 Theo K. GossouTheo Gossou is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with 10 years of experience with individuals with autism and other developmental disorders. He specialized in the functional assessment and treatment of problem behaviors and the development of early interventions for children with autism. His research interest includes the internal validity of methods of functional assessment of challenging behavior, best practices in early intervention for children with autism, behavioral pharmacology, and behavioral interventions to improve military healt
Appearance
| |
 Dr. Edward Asikhia Dr. Edward Asikhia is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst - Doctoral (BCBA-D) Intensive Behavior Intervention Specialist Developmental Specialist (Adults & Children) IBI Certified Trainer DS Certified Trainer (Adults & Children) Bachelor of Surgery & Medicine (MD Equivalent) Postgraduate Diploma in Psychiatry Master of Business Administration [Healthcare Financing] Master of Health Planning & Strategic Management PECS Certified Program Director: Behavior and Social Intervention Center; an affiliate of Family Care Center Idaho Falls (2005-2006) He Graduated as a medical doctor in 1985 from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Had his Psychiatry training with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital Benin-City Nigeria, Univeristity of Wales College of Medicine Cardiff and University College Hospital Galway; Ireland. He obtained his MBA and MHPM in the University of Benin, Nigeria. Dr. Asikhia had his training in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis with the University of North Texas. Member Association for behavior Analysis Member of Advisory board Global Autism Project President; Autism Society of West Africa (ASWA) Area of Interest: Austism/Pervasive Develpmental Disorder/Asperger Syndrome. Verbal Behavior. Developmental Disabilities.
Appearance
| |
 Dr. Alexander Ndubuisi Otakpor MBBS, FWACP, FNPMCP, BCBA-DProfessor Alexander Ndubuisi Otakpor attended the University of Benin, Nigeria where he undertook his post-graduate medical residency training in Mental health at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria, and the University of British Columbia, Canada, affiliated hospitals [Shaughnessy Hospital and Oak Street Children’s Hospital] from 1980-1985. In November 1985 he was certified by the National Post-graduate Medical College of Nigeria as a Psychiatrist and became a Fellow of the College, and a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians in 1996. with a WHO and the University of Manchester funded Fellowship, he travelled to Manchester in the United Kingdom to train as a Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist under the tutelage of Prof David Taylor, Dr Ellena Garralda and Dr Peter Wells of the Young People’s Unit in Macclesfield from 1986-1989. Thereafter, he returned to the University of Benin Teaching hospital to begin the pioneering work of establishing a Child/Adolescent Mental Health service. Besides clinical services as a Consultant Psychiatrist, teaching, training, research and administrative responsibilities were also included in his portfolio: Head of Department of Mental Health, Assistant Dean School of Medicine, Chairman Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (UBTH Chapter) and External Examiner to various Medical Schools, National and the West African Colleges of Physicians, Project Evaluator for the UNODC. Retired from the services of the University of Benin and its affiliate Teaching Hospital after 37years in 2017. Also, Professor Otakpor had his training in Applied Behavior Analysis with Florida Institute of Technology and subsequently had intensive practicum at the University of Denver affiliated facilities in Lafayette under the guidance of Dr Jeff Kupfer and Dr Patricia Olivia. He has worked in varying capacities with the Family Behavioral Services, a member of the California Mentors Network, Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) in both the Corona and Ontario facilities in California, and currently with the Key Essentials to Behavior Management, Rancho-Cucamonga, California as a Program Manager. He is a member of numerous professional groups and Associations that include Nigerian Medical Association, Nigerian/African Psychiatrists Association, California Association of Applied Behavior Analysts, Four-Corners Association of Behavior Analysts, Association for Behavior Analysts in Nigeria. Professor Alexander N Otakpor has been involved in the promotion of the discipline of ABA, its integration into Health Services, Research, Training and Advocacy for all persons with Autism. Appearance
| |
 Mrs Ifueko Karibi-WhyteMrs Ifueko Karibi-Whyte is a lawyer and an unapologetic special needs advocate. She’s the current President, AMIN Foundation. A foundation focused on the needs of young persons on the autism spectrum and their mothers. As a proud and dedicated mother of a child on the autism spectrum, she’s a strong advocate for the autism community. Her desire is for every child on the autism spectrum to live their best life.
Appearance
| |
 Dr. Remi OdunsiDr. Remi Odunsi an educationist in the UK trained as a maths teacher in the UK and taught children of different abilities. She has several years of experience of teaching children with different forms of special educational needs especially children on the autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) both in mainstream and special schools. She has worked with American Consultants and British experts to set up an autistic provision in a large secondary school in Britain to provide effective education for children with ASD including children with Asperger’s syndrome in the mainstream school. She has been training parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) with particular focus on autism in different parts of Nigeria. She is involved in raising the level of awareness of the identification and interventions for autism in Nigeria and Africa. She has studied in five of the best universities in Britain in fields ranging from mineral processing engineering to mining engineering including a master’s degree in education which covered all aspects of education and has done a lot of research in special education at two top class universities in the UK. She has a Master degree in autism in children and has completed studies in inclusive education for all children with SEND in mainstream schools for PhD specialising in education of children with autism. She has attended several training courses relating to her role in the schools she has worked as head of special educational needs. She has been through OFSTED (Office for Standards in Education in UK) inspection three times and has been highly commended for her hard work and initiatives introduced to the three school to improve the education of all children with special educational needs. Her role as Head of Special Educational Needs in schools involves provision of effective education for all children with (SEN) through liaising with all experts in all fields including medical, training teachers, proving resources and monitoring the teaching and learning of SEN in the schools. Remi Odunsi taught GCE maths and chemistry for two years in a secondary in Lagos, Nigeria as well as being an assistant examiner with the WAEC for the two years. The experience gained then has always been employed in teaching maths across all ages and developed interest in dyscalculia which is specific learning difficulty in learning mathematics particularly numbers. Appearance
| |
 Angela IkuomolaAngela Ikuomola is a Graduate of the University of Port Harcourt,Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi and The National Teachers Institute Kaduna. Son diagnosed with autism at the age of 2 years in 2013 Started the SEN centre(EPHPHATHA) 6 years in 2015 and Incorporated the NGO arm in 2017 EPHPHATHA INITIATIVE Board Certified Autism Specialist Practitioner & Supervisor(QASP-S) and also a Board Certified Qualified Behaviour Analyst(QBA)from The Qualified Applied Behaviour Analysis Credentialing Board USA . Currently works as a supervisor,trainer and case manager to paraprofesssionals giving home and school support to children with special needs. Appearance
| |
 Helen Obiageli OshikoyaHelen Obiageli Oshikoya is the founder / CEO of Nobelova Gradani PsychoEducational Services. A member of the Nigerian Bar Association since 1991, she hold a Master’s degree in Social Science from the Open University, United Kingdom. She is a Certified Educational Assessor registered with the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors in the United Kingdom ( University of Hertfordshire) ; an Advanced Certified Autism Specialist registered with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), USA, she is also one of the International Training Providers with IBCCES, she is also the Nigeria representative of the Exceptional Child Vector Solution USA an online training platform for Teachers in the area of Special Educational Needs. With these collaborations, she has laid new frame works for mental health care professionals as well as teacher trainings focusing on Inclusive practices. In 2018, Nobelova collaborated with The Corona Collage of Education and trained all their Corona Schools Teachers totally over 400. By December 2019 a total of 700 teachers were trained in the area of detection and identification of children at risk of educational underachievement. Nobelova currently has 56 ABA Early Intervention Specialist as well as 10 certified with the IBCCES credentialing board. Helen has proven to provide the most comprehensive, intensive and fulfilling training programmes for individual who wish to work with individuals with Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Autism being one in Nigeria or any other place in the world. Her school Health Screening Programme not only identifies children with physical challenges but also those with mental challenges. As of date Nobelova has screened close to 12 thousand children across Nigeria and 80% of these children are now receiving Early Intervention Services across all states of the federation Her vision and driving force is that No Nigerian Child will be Left Behind. Her CHILD-P and Find Child Initiative was recognised as she was nominated as one of the 60 most Influential Women in Nigeria an Award by Business Day Newspaper in 2020, and she was also nominated by the Committee of Women for Africa UK in 2017. She is a member of the Nigerian Psychological Association and a Member of the Association of Behaviour Analysis of Nigeria ( ABAN) . As well as being a Qualified Autism Service Practitioner –Supervisor registered with the The Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA) She has been able to provide one of the best Early intervention Services based on the Science of Applied Behaviour Analysis; she is also a Specialist Assessor qualified to make Exam Access Arrangements due to the fact that she is a member of the British Psychological Society as a registered test user holding certifications in Occupational Test Use (Ability & Personality); certified on the Hogan Personality Inventory and registered as the European Test User Licence, she has provided hospitals, schools and establishments with developmental, educational and psychometric tests as well as providing interventions and workforce-engaged programmes that really work with in the frame work of Evidence Based Practices. Appearance
| |
 Dr. Margo UwayoDr. Margaret Uwayo is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with experience early intervention for children with autism. She is a 4th-year doctoral student in the Department of Psychology at Western Michigan University (WMU) and has extensive expertise in education and academic literacy for primary and secondary students with reading delays or other developmental delays. Currently, she is the program director and BCBA supervisor of the Academic Literacy Lab Reading Program, an after school reading program and practicum at WMU that serves diverse learners. In her role as program director, she oversees the enrollment process of new students, she develops and assists in conducting training for the tutor staff as well as facilities parent communications needs. In her role as the BCBA supervisor, she develops Individualized Learning Plans (ILP) for students. Appearance
| |
 Eziafakaku NwokoloEziafakaku Nwokolo is the Founder/CEO of Shades of Life Care Limited; a company that provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities. She has an MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis-Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®️). She is also a Qualified Behavior Analyst (QBA). Currently, she is a PhD researcher whose interest lies in validating screening tools for Intellectual Disability (ID) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Nigeria. Her research focuses on screening for ID and ASD in Nigerian adolescents. Appearance
| |
 Dr. Tina IrimorenDr. Tina Irimoren is the Director and owner of TENIC - an Early Childcare/special needs agency providing door-to-door Childcare and ABA therapy services to clients. She’s also an ardent Early Childhood Professional, a certified and Qualified Behaviour Analyst, a competent and certified first aider and many more Appearance
| |
