By Meletus EZE
The Convener of Naija Top Baker, Mr Michael Salako, has called for mentoring and promotion of young and upcoming bakers to encourage them to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic growth.
Salako made the call at a Baking Industry Award organised by Naija Top Baker, on Monday in Lagos.
The Naija Top Baker’s Baking Industry Awards is to recognise, celebrate and honour dedicated individuals, upcoming bakers, innovative products and inspirational businesses.
It started in 2014 and multiplied in numbers in 2018 from 400 registered members to 600 bakers.
“We discovered that Nigeria bakers really help in creating employment and empower people, that is why governments at all levels need to recognise Nigeria bakers to grow the economy,” Salako said.
He said that giving appreciation awards to deserving bakers, publish periodic magazine and exploring social media potential, would encourage healthy business competition among the bakers.
According to him, that is why we decided to provide a platform where Nigerian bakers can share ideas, lean skills, impact loves and promote their craft.
“I decided to promote bakers, because I have passion for baking, so rewarding them with awards will encourage everyone to be more hardworking and focus.
“Apart from this award night, we also had a baking competition among 10 contestants from different states with the winner going home with good gifts.
Also, Princess Grace Adefulu, who got an award of Icon of Baking Industry 2018, encouraged the upcoming and young bakers to be more hardworking and diligent in their businesses.
Adefulu, also the Chief Executive Officer, Bakers World, said that hardwork, perseverance and honesty were major keys in growing any business in the country.
“Business people should not wait for governments because people are the government, but what we want the government to do is the provision of infrastructure, such as power supply.
“These generation of bakers are very hardworking and always strife to learn more in order to improve on baking industry,” she said.
Another awardee, Mrs Chineze Ibuoka, the Chief Executive Officer of Honeysuckle Cake, urged all upcoming bakers to always concentrate and be passionate with their cake business.
Ibuoka said that cake business was something baker has do with passion which means they have to keep learning to upgrade their business.
“I got an award of topshore Nigeria and I am grateful to God and the organisers for noticing my contributions to the industry.
