Nollywood Actress Sarah Martins Addresses Lagos Government Warning on Street Cooking
Nollywood actress and influencer Sarah Martins has broken her silence following a warning from the Lagos State Government regarding her street cooking activities. The government cautioned her to cease cooking and distributing food on public roads, walkways, and medians due to safety, sanitation, and traffic concerns.
Government Issues Stern Warning Over Public Order Violations
The warning was issued on social media platform X, where officials stated that Sarah Martins must stop her activities to avoid arrest and prosecution. Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab emphasised that while her charitable intentions were appreciated, the actions violated environmental and public order regulations. The government noted that similar concerns had been raised last year and advised that all future charitable feeding be conducted through approved channels.
Sarah Martins Clarifies the Context of Her Outreach
In response, Sarah Martins explained that her recent cooking event was not conducted on main roads or walkways. She detailed that it took place in a controlled environment in front of the King’s Palace, under security supervision and far from traffic. On Instagram, she wrote, “I did not cook on the walkway or on the main street. The meal was prepared in a safe space, ensuring it did not obstruct movement or create any public nuisance.”
Emotional Motivation Behind the Street Cooking
The actress revealed that her decision was driven by an emotional bond with vulnerable street children in the area. She shared that the children often plead with her to return and cook with them, inspiring her to spend time reconnecting and creating memories. “The visit was simply born out of an emotional moment. I had deeply missed the bond I share with these children,” she stated.
Commitment to Using Approved Charity Kitchen
Sarah Martins highlighted that her foundation has been empowered with a charity kitchen by Mr Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to ensure organised feeding programmes. She assured that her organisation remains committed to using this facility for regular initiatives and will adhere strictly to state environmental standards in the future.
Apology and Reassurance to Authorities
The actress issued an apology if her actions were perceived as inappropriate and reassured the Lagos State Government of her compliance. She emphasised her respect for state laws and promised to conduct all future cooking activities within the provided charity kitchen, avoiding any further public disruptions.
