Indian envoy opens Afro-Asian restaurant, “Anchor”, in Lagos

Chandramouli Kern, Consul General of India in Lagos, says Indians have been recognised as the biggest investors in Nigeria, with over 27 million dollars in cumulative investment and no fewer than 200 companies.

Kern said this on Sunday while declaring open “Anchor Restaurant”, an Afro-Asian restaurant in Lagos.

“This is of great pride to us as the Indian community in Nigeria. I am happy that we are successful in Nigeria here; we should ensure this success is sustained.

“We are contributing significantly to engaging the Nigerian youths meaningfully in the area of employment because it was recently declared that Indians in Nigeria are the second biggest employer after the Federal Government,” he said.

Kern commended the founder of the restaurant for investing in the hospitality industry in Nigeria.

He encouraged the public to visit the restaurant, which stands to offer African, Asian, and continental cuisines, adding that the ambience of the restaurant was such that it would woo visitors.

“I congratulate you for opening this restaurant. The ambience is beautiful and welcoming, beautifully decorated and painted blue, all of which signify the coastal area here.

“I wish you good luck, and I hope it will be a fruitful venture for us all.

“I encourage everyone to visit this place; it offers all forms of cuisine and drink cutting across nations,” he said.

Kern encouraged Indians to continue projecting the positive image of the nation through proper conduct.

Also, Shri N Mahesh, Head of Chancery in Lagos, said, “I congratulate the founder of this restaurant. I believe this venture will be successful, and I wish you all the best.”

A friend of the founder, Mr. Sanjay Srivastava, congratulated the founder for delving into the hospitality industry and encouraged him to do more.

Earlier, Mr. Mohan Kaki, founder of Anchor Restaurant, said that this was the fifth restaurant he had established in Nigeria, with four others in Abeokuta and Ibadan.

Kaki said he had Tamberma Restaurants in Oyo and Ogun states, named after the Togolese language and had decided to give the restaurant in Lagos a different name to replicate the coastal area where it is situated.

According to him, the restaurant is meant to cater to the needs of Africans, Asians, and individuals from other continents.

He said the restaurant, decorated in African designs, was to create the right ambience for individuals who would always wish to unwind and take unique meals.

“We have available here Nigerian local cuisines like Edikang Ikong, Gbegiri, Efo-riro, Okro, Oha, white soup, groundnut soup, Eba, pounded yam, and all.

“We also have continental cuisines as well as cuisines for the Southern Indians, who love it hot and spicy, and the Northern Indians, who love it creamier.

“We also offer an exclusive seafood menu; our prices are affordable, and before the end of next year, I hope to have established up to six branches here in Lagos,” he said.