Shekoni-Balogun Plans Empowerment Programme For Indigent Badore Residents
The MD / CEO, Tarzan Jetties, Tarzan Maritime Enterprises and the President, National Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), Engr. Ganiyu Shekoni – Balogun, is set to lift an appreciable indigent residents of Badore and its environs out of poverty through a power – packed empowerment programme in celebration of his 70th birthday anniversary.
Engr. Shekoni – Balogun, who made these remarks during a chat with newsmen on Monday, noted that the groundbreaking initiative is aimed at supporting and encouraging small businesses in the community to grow instead of having a lavish birthday celebration as this empowerment programme will make more impact by reaching an appreciable number of people, injecting mouth – watering amount of money directly into the hands of artisans, traders , students and many others.
He said that the initiative is part of activities being put in place to appreciate the Almighty who has kept him alive till today, promising that those to benefit from the programme will be carefully selected without bias to religion, tribe, sex or any other premodial affiliations.
The Tarzan Jetties boss stressed that the people will be empowered with start – up grants and modern equipment items to aid in transforming not just lives, but entire household.
” Beyond direct empowerment, financial grants will also be provided to the beneficiaries who are the market women, men and artisans to boost their businesses,” said Engr. Shekoni – Balogun
He added that the focus will be on indigent residents of Badore, which is his organisations’ major operational area, stressing that it’s part of his organisations’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the residents.
The ATBOWATON President further added that the empowerment initiative underscores his belief in investing in people as the cornerstone for future development.
In an interview with Mr Kayode Adegunwa, a resident of Badore, Tarzan Jetties boss has always rendered one form of assistance or the other to willing members of the community, saying that it has been a regular occurrence and not just on the occasion of his birthday celebration and the community is very proud of him and his organisations and are eagerly in high expectations for the special programme.
According to Mr. Adegunwa, Engr. Shekoni -: Balogun was mindful of the fact that unemployment is one of the problems the people in the area are facing and the empowerment initiative will, no doubt, make the beneficiaries become economically viable, self -:reliant, as well as being employers of labour.
He reaffirmed the people’s readiness to collaborate with the management of the organizations, particularly in projecting the companies’ achievements and highlightening their impact on community development
Mr. Adegunwa further added that Tarzan Jetties and Tarzan Maritime Enterprises stand as symbols of infrastructural excellence, economic empowerment, and community development, which have significantly contributed to job creation, infrastructural growth, and the socio – economic advancement of Badore and its environs, noting that their organisations’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives have remained consistent and impactful.
Engr. Shekoni – Balogun, however, explained that such gestures are his organisations’ little way of contributing to the well – being of his organisations’ immediate community by supporting such philanthropic causes and creating a positive influence on society, stakeholders and the environment, stressing that investing in the local community, improving the economic impact of business operations and supporting community development remains his organisations’ little way of giving back to the society and the people have been very appreciative of the efforts.
