A Cross River born Business Mogul and Philanthropist, Engr. Ben Akak on the 1st of May 2023 took out time out of his tight schedule to celebrate his staff in Hi-Quality bakery, Bengies group of companies and all his business concerns where he gifted cash to two of his longest serving staff.
Ben Akak, who announced the cash gift of N200,000 for Mr. Marcus Archibong who had worked with Hi-Quality Bakery for 42 years and N150, 000 for Mr. Celestine Akpan Okon for serving for 39 years said the reward was in appreciation to their commitment to the brand
In addition, the member representing Abi state constituency in the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Davies Etta also gifted the sum of N50,000 and N30,000 respectively to Mr. Marcus and Celestine.
Earlier, Engr. Akak had said that he decided to celebrate his staff on May Day being Workers Day as a way of appreciating their commitment and efforts in keeping the brand afloat. He said having stood the taste of time for 51 years, Hi-Quality Bakery can weather any storm for another 51 years and the brand will soon expand to other cities of the world.
In his speech, the acting General Manager of Hi-Quality Bakery charged workers to be faithful and committed as the chairman is willing to do more for them adding that all through his years of serving, he has not seen an employer who celebrates his staff like Engr Ben Akak. He said Hi-Quality Bakery has taken a new shape since Ben Akak took over the management of the company.
I have not seen this anywhere in Calabar where an employer will sit with his staff like this and eat, dance with them, play with them and crack jokes. I sincerely believe If Ben Akak was the chairman of HiQuality many years back, High Quality would have gone farther than where it is today. He has changed the face of the business and set it on a flight.
"As workers we need to constantly evaluate ourselves and see if we have done well and improve in level of work so we have more . Ben Akak is a man of change, he is willing to do more for us if we can work harder to make the company grow better." He concluded.
Also speaking the member representing Abi State Constituency In the State house of Assembly Davis Etta appreciated the workers for their hard work charging them to continue to do more in serving the people.
He described the workers as those responsible for "giving life" to Cross River State through the productions of snacks, and bread.
" There is a popular saying that the way to a man's heart is his stomach. Whoever is in the business of producing that which you ingest is giving life. I want to applaud all of you seated here for giving life to Cross Riverians."- He said.
Speaking with newsmen as the close of the event, Rt. Hon. Etta disclosed that he was inspired by the kind of awards the company gave out, that he was moved to support the award recipients financially because they have shown loyalty and commitment. He said it is not common to see business owners celebrate their employees in such a grand style and as such Engr. Akak is worthy of emulation.
The event which was climaxed with award presentation, special dance with the chairman of the group of companies saw several employees expressing themselves while appreciating Engr. Akak for giving them a platform to grow their career.