Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has reacted after the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, criticised a video showing her cooking for underprivileged children.
The controversy began after Wahab issued a warning to the actress, stating that cooking and distributing food on public roads violates Lagos environmental and public order regulations.
In his message to Martins, the commissioner acknowledged the charitable intention behind her actions but insisted that such activities cannot be carried out on roads, walkways, or public medians.
“While we acknowledge and appreciate the spirit of charity and compassion behind what you are trying to do, carrying out such activities on public roads, walkways or medians is not permitted under Lagos environmental and public order regulations,” Wahab said.
He also noted that Martins had previously been cautioned over a similar issue last year.
Reacting in a lengthy post shared on her Instagram page, the actress clarified that the cooking did not take place on a public road or walkway.
According to her, the food was prepared in front of a king’s palace and the activity was carried out under the supervision of security personnel.
“I would like to respectfully clarify that I did not cook on the walkway or on the main street. The meal was prepared in front of the King’s Palace under the supervision of security personnel, and the activity took place far from the main road,” she wrote.
Martins explained that the visit was an emotional moment driven by her bond with children in the area, who had repeatedly asked her to return and cook with them again.
“The visit was simply born out of an emotional moment. I had deeply missed the bond I share with the vulnerable street children in that area,” she said.
The actress also revealed that Seyi Tinubu had earlier supported her charity foundation with a charity kitchen, which is normally used for her feeding programs.
According to her, the facility helps ensure that the outreach is carried out in an organised environment.
“I would also like to emphasise that Mr Seyi Tinubu generously empowered my foundation with a charity kitchen, specifically to ensure that our feeding programs are conducted in a proper, organised environment,” she wrote.
Martins stressed that her brief return to the location was only to reconnect with the children and not to create any disturbance.
However, she apologised if her actions were interpreted as inappropriate and promised to ensure future cooking activities take place within the charity kitchen.
“If my actions were perceived as inappropriate in any way, I sincerely apologise. I hold the laws and environmental standards of Lagos State in the highest regard,” she said.
She added that her foundation would continue its outreach efforts while complying fully with Lagos State regulations going forward.
