By Our Correspondent
Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has apologised to the Lagos State Government following criticism over her recent roadside cooking activity involving street children in Lagos.
The actress clarified that the incident was not intended to violate environmental laws but was simply a moment of emotional reconnection with vulnerable children she regularly supports through her charity work.
The controversy began after the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources issued a warning, cautioning Martins against cooking on public roads and stressing that such acts could lead to arrest or prosecution.
The warning was publicly announced by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who reiterated the state’s strict environmental and sanitation regulations.
Responding in an open letter shared on her Instagram page, Martins explained that the food preparation took place in a controlled environment rather than on a public walkway or major road.
According to her, the cooking was done in front of a king’s palace and supervised by security personnel, ensuring that the activity did not obstruct traffic or disturb the public.
The actress said the visit was inspired by the affection she receives from street children in the area.
She explained that the children often call on her to return and cook with them as she had done in the past, prompting her to spend time with them and prepare a meal to recreate cherished memories.
“I had deeply missed the bond I share with the vulnerable street children in that area,” she stated, noting that the gesture was purely humanitarian.
Martins, founder of the Sarah Martins Golden Heart Foundation, also offered a public apology to the Lagos authorities if her actions were misunderstood or seen as inappropriate.
She assured that all future cooking activities linked to her charity programme would take place inside the foundation’s designated charity kitchen.
She further expressed appreciation to Seyi Tinubu, son of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for supporting the establishment of a charity kitchen to ensure her feeding initiatives operate in a structured environment.
Martins had previously faced enforcement action in October 2025 when officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline seized her cooking equipment while she was reportedly preparing food on a road median in Lekki.
