Actress Sarah Martins has responded to Lagos State commissioner for the environment and water resources, Tokunbo Wahab, following his warning against cooking and distributing food on public roads in the state.
The exchange followed a video shared online showing Sarah cooking and serving food to children in an open space in Ajah, Lagos. The commissioner had stated that such activities on public roads, walkways or medians violate Lagos environmental regulations.
In a statement on Instagram, Sarah explained that her visit to the location was driven by emotion and her relationship with the children in the area.
“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. As I occasionally drive past that axis, the children often plead with me to come back and cook with them like I used to. On this particular day, I decided to spend some time with them and prepare a meal, purely to reconnect and create memories with the kids who have always shown me genuine love.
“I would also like to emphasize that Mr. Seyi Tinubu ( @seyitinubu )generously empowered my foundation with a charity kitchen specifically to ensure that our feeding programs are conducted in a proper and organized environment. I do not take his generosity for granted, and my foundation has remained committed to using the charity kitchen for our regular feeding initiatives.
“My brief return to that location was never intended to create any form of public nuisance, but simply to share a heartfelt moment with children who have continued to ask for my presence.
“However, if my actions were perceived as inappropriate in any way, I sincerely apologize. I hold the laws and environmental standards of Lagos State in the highest regard. Going forward, I will ensure that all cooking activities are carried out strictly within the charity kitchen provided for the foundation.
“Thank you for your understanding and for the great work your office continues to do in maintaining environmental order in Lagos State.
“Yours respectfully,
Sarah Martins
Founder, Sarah Martins Golden Heart Foundation.”
Tokunbo had earlier acknowledged the charitable intention behind the outreach but said cooking on public roads and similar spaces is not permitted under Lagos environmental and public order regulations.
Sarah is known for organising feeding programmes for vulnerable people through her Sarah Martins Golden Heart Foundation, which focuses on supporting street children and other disadvantaged groups in Lagos.
The warning came months after a similar incident in October 2025 when officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, also known as Kick Against Indiscipline, stopped Sarah while she was cooking food for people on a road median in Lekki. Her cooking equipment was seized during the enforcement operation.
