The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Tarzan Jetties and Tarzan Maritime Enterprises, as well as President of the National Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), Engr. Ganiyu Shekoni-Balogun, has announced plans to launch a large-scale empowerment programme targeted at indigent residents of Badore and surrounding communities.
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The initiative, scheduled as part of activities marking his 70th birthday, is positioned as a deliberate shift from conventional celebrations towards a more impact-driven intervention focused on economic support and community development. Speaking with journalists on Monday, Shekoni-Balogun said the programme is designed to directly uplift vulnerable individuals by providing financial grants and business support tools.
He noted that rather than hosting a lavish event, the decision was taken to channel resources into an initiative capable of reaching a significant number of beneficiaries, particularly artisans, traders, students and other low-income earners within the community. According to him, the programme will inject substantial funds into small-scale economic activities, enabling recipients to stabilise and expand their ventures.
“This initiative is our own way of appreciating God for the gift of life,” he said. “Instead of a celebration that ends in a day, we are focusing on something that will create lasting value by supporting people to grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods.”
He added that beneficiary selection would be conducted transparently, with no bias based on religion, ethnicity, gender or other affiliations. The focus, he stressed, remains strictly on identifying genuinely indigent residents within Badore, which serves as the primary operational base for his organisations.
Shekoni-Balogun further explained that the empowerment package will include both start-up capital and modern equipment aimed at improving productivity across various trades. Market women, artisans and small business operators are expected to benefit from targeted financial grants intended to boost working capital and operational capacity.
“Beyond direct empowerment, financial grants will also be provided to market women, men and artisans to strengthen their businesses,” he stated, emphasising that the broader objective is not only to impact individuals but to improve household incomes and overall community welfare.
He described the programme as part of the organisations’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), noting that investing in people remains critical to sustainable development. According to him, consistent engagement with host communities is essential in building inclusive growth and long-term economic stability.
A resident of Badore, Mr Kayode Adegunwa, commended the initiative, describing Shekoni-Balogun as a longstanding supporter of the community. He noted that the intervention reflects a pattern of sustained assistance rather than a one-off gesture tied to a milestone celebration.
“This is not the first time he is supporting people here. It has been a consistent effort over the years, and the community recognises that,” Adegunwa said. “We are proud of what he and his organisations represent, and there is strong anticipation for this programme.”
He further observed that unemployment remains a major challenge in the area, expressing confidence that the empowerment scheme would help beneficiaries become self-reliant and potentially create jobs for others. According to him, initiatives of this nature contribute significantly to reducing economic pressure at the grassroots level.
Adegunwa also reaffirmed the community’s willingness to collaborate with Tarzan Jetties and Tarzan Maritime Enterprises in amplifying their impact, noting that both organisations have played visible roles in infrastructure development, job creation and economic advancement within Badore and its environs.
In his remarks, Shekoni-Balogun reiterated that the programme represents a modest contribution towards improving the well-being of the immediate community, adding that sustained investment in local development remains central to his organisations’ philosophy.
He said, “Supporting the community, improving the economic impact of our operations and contributing positively to society will continue to guide our actions. We see this as giving back to the people who are part of our journey.”
