Lagos, Nigeria – Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has responded after the Lagos State Government cautioned her over cooking and distributing food on public streets in the state.
Okay News reports that the warning was issued by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Wahab Tokubo, who advised the actress to stop carrying out cooking or food distribution on public roads, walkways, or medians.
In a statement shared on X, Wahab acknowledged the charitable intention behind Sarah’s activities but stressed that cooking or trading on public infrastructure violates environmental and public order regulations due to safety, sanitation and traffic concerns.
The commissioner also noted that Martins had previously been cautioned about similar activities last year and warned that failure to comply could lead to apprehension and prosecution.
Reacting to the development, Martins said her recent outreach was conducted responsibly and did not obstruct public movement.
“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 very far from the main road,” she wrote on Instagram.
According to the actress, the feeding programme was organised for vulnerable children in the area and was motivated by her emotional connection with them.
Martins also revealed that her foundation had previously received support from Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who she said helped provide a charity kitchen to ensure the programme is conducted in an organised manner.
The exchange has sparked conversations online about public safety regulations and the role of private charity initiatives in assisting vulnerable communities.
