By Janefrances Chibuzor
What would have been a lavish birthday party became something far more powerful, movement, relief, and renewed hope, across the waterways of Lagos.
On April 30, Chief Ganiyu Shekoni Balogun, the Managing Director of Tarzan Jetties and Maritime Enterprises, widely known as De Boatman Tarzan, rewrote the script of celebration.
Instead of music, lights, and exclusive guest lists, he chose the restless hum of outboard engines and the grateful smiles of everyday people.
From Badore to Ijede, the waterways came alive—not with the usual strain of economic hardship, but with an unusual gift: free boat rides for commuters and direct financial lifelines for grassroots entrepreneurs.
For two days, April 29 and 30, passengers who would normally count every naira before stepping onto a boat found themselves boarding freely, their burdens, if only briefly, lifted.
Traders, artisans, and service providers around Tarzan Jetty in Badore also received financial support designed not as charity, but as a push toward stability.
Balogun made it clear: this was no random act of generosity. It was a deliberate response to the tightening grip of economic reality.
“If I threw a big party, the people attending wouldn’t feel the impact,” he said. “So I decided to reach those who actually need support—people whose businesses and daily survival depend on small margins.”
The empowerment drive focused on those often overlooked, petty traders, mechanics, POS operators, individuals for whom a modest sum can mean the difference between stagnation and survival.
Beneficiaries were not selected by chance; the process was rooted in community credibility. Local representatives compiled names, while Balogun personally verified each case to ensure authenticity.In Badore alone, about 55 individuals were reached.
For Deborah, one of the beneficiaries, the N50,000 she received was more than money; it was breathing space for her business.
For Pa Arowolo Isaac, a respected landlord and mediator in the community, the support extended beyond him, offering a boost to his wife’s catering venture.
His message was simple: use the opportunity wisely.Across the jetties, appreciation flowed as freely as the rides.
Commuters, long weighed down by rising transport costs, described the initiative as timely, even transformative, proof that relief can come from within the community itself.
Yet, for Balogun, this is only the beginning. The initiative is structured in phases, set to ripple through other Lagos communities where his maritime operations run, before extending to Abeokuta, his hometown in Ogun State.
His philosophy remains grounded: he is not trying to build businesses overnight, but to spark momentum.“Sometimes, all people need is a small push,” he said. “That push can change everything.”
