Sarah Martins Clarifies Roadside Cooking Incident, Apologises to Lagos Govt

Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has responded to the Lagos State Government’s warning over her recent public cooking activity, explaining that the moment was a charitable and emotional reunion with vulnerable children rather than an attempt to violate environmental laws.

The clarification came after the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, cautioned the actress against cooking on public roads. Wahab warned that such activities violate Lagos environmental and sanitation laws and could lead to arrest and prosecution if repeated.

Reacting in an open letter posted on her Instagram page, Sarah Martins said the viral incident had been misunderstood. According to her, the cooking activity did not take place on the roadway but within a controlled environment close to a palace, 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 far from the main road, ensuring that it did not obstruct movement or create any public nuisance,” she wrote.

The actress explained that the visit was driven by her long-standing relationship with vulnerable street children in the area through her charity initiative, the Sarah Martins Golden Heart Foundation.

According to Martins, the children often ask her to return and cook meals with them whenever she passes through the area, which prompted the recent visit.

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“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.

“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.”

Despite defending her intentions, Martins apologised to the Lagos State Government for any perceived violation of environmental standards.

“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,” she said.

“However, 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 also assured authorities that future cooking activities for the foundation would take place strictly in a designated charity kitchen.

Martins expressed gratitude to Seyi Tinubu, noting that support linked to him had helped her foundation secure a charity kitchen to organise its feeding programmes more effectively.

The actress previously said she received ₦20 million to support her charity work, though Tinubu later clarified that the funds were not a personal donation but contributions raised by friends to help Martins secure a proper space for her humanitarian activities.

The latest controversy comes months after Martins reportedly had a run-in with the Kick Against Indiscipline officials. In October 2025, she was reportedly arrested while cooking on a road median in the Lekki area of Lagos, during which her cooking equipment was seized.

At the time, the Lagos State Government defended the enforcement action, stating that cooking on public infrastructure violated sanitation regulations aimed at maintaining order, public safety and environmental cleanliness across the city.

The recent incident has reignited discussions on social media about balancing charity work, urban sanitation laws, and the responsibilities of public figures when engaging in humanitarian activities in public spaces.

While many Nigerians praised Martins for supporting vulnerable children, others argued that charitable initiatives must still comply with state environmental regulations.

For now, Martins says her foundation will continue supporting underprivileged children while ensuring that all outreach activities are carried out in legally approved spaces.

Sarah Martins Clarifies Roadside Cooking Incident, Apologises to Lagos Govt

‘I hated my birth name Blessing’ — BBNaija winner Phyna opens up on painful childhood

Big Brother Naija winner Phyna has opened up about her painful upbringing, revealing why she dislikes the birth name given to her by her parents and how her difficult childhood shaped the person she is today.

The BBNaija Season 7 “Level Up” winner, whose real name is Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, said she was originally named Blessing, but grew to resent the name because it did not reflect the reality of her early life.

Speaking in a recent interview, the reality television star said the name felt disconnected from her experiences growing up, noting that she struggled with emotional hardship and often felt deprived of the love and support many children received from their families.

According to Phyna, her childhood was filled with moments where she constantly sought validation from family members, friends and romantic partners, but frequently ended up feeling rejected or criticised.

“The name given to me by my parents is Blessing. My reason for hating that name was that I don’t see a sense of blessing in my life. It felt like I was always begging for love — family love, friendship, even in relationships,” she said.

The reality TV star described her upbringing as extremely difficult, explaining that she missed out on several opportunities that many of her peers enjoyed while growing up.

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She also revealed that some of the people around her used the name as a way to mock or criticise her, which further deepened her dislike for it.

Despite the painful experiences, Phyna said she remained determined to change the course of her life. She recalled repeatedly telling her relatives that she would one day become famous and financially successful, even when they doubted her.

Growing up, she said she endured harsh treatment from some extended family members but remained confident that she would eventually achieve her dreams.

Phyna also revealed that she started working at a young age to support herself and her family. She previously shared that she helped out at her aunt’s restaurant as a child and even missed about two years of secondary school while taking care of her father after he was involved in a serious accident.

Those experiences, she said, forced her to become independent early in life and develop a strong survival instinct.

In 2022, Phyna rose to national prominence after emerging winner of Big Brother Naija Season 7, popularly known as the “Level Up” edition, beating other finalists to claim the ₦100 million grand prize.

Since winning BBNaija, the Edo-born star has built a career as a media personality, actress and brand influencer, gaining a large fan base across Nigeria and beyond.

She has also previously spoken about strained family relationships, announcing in 2024 that she had decided to drop her family surname Otabor due to long-standing feelings of rejection.

Reflecting on her journey, Phyna said her difficult past continues to motivate her to succeed, adding that the struggles she faced while growing up helped shape her resilience and determination.

‘I hated my birth name Blessing’ — BBNaija winner Phyna opens up on painful childhood

Davido Loses Close Friend Denisi Amid ₦1bn Legal Dispute

Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido is reportedly mourning the death of his close friend and associate, Denisi, at a time when the singer is also facing a ₦1 billion legal dispute linked to an ongoing custody controversy.

News of Denisi’s death surfaced on social media after one of his associates, Joel Heugh Boyseen, shared emotional tributes announcing the loss. In the posts, Denisi was described as a loyal friend and close member of Davido’s circle, with several social media users expressing shock over the sudden development.

Boyseen revealed that Denisi had recently relocated to Cape Town, South Africa, alongside friends in search of new opportunities. He expressed deep grief over the loss, saying the city was mourning Denisi and calling on his late friend to “wake up.” As of the time of filing this report, the cause of Denisi’s death has not been publicly disclosed, but the news has generated widespread reactions online.

The tragic development comes amid a ₦1 billion legal dispute involving Davido and a lawyer representing Sophia Momodu, the mother of the singer’s daughter, Imade.

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The lawyer, Ebelechukwu Enedah, reportedly issued a pre-action notice demanding ₦1 billion in damages, accusing Davido of harassment, cyberbullying, defamation and threats to life. The legal action followed a heated exchange linked to the custody dispute involving Davido and Momodu.

According to the lawyer, the controversy escalated after Davido allegedly made derogatory remarks about her on social media, reportedly describing her as “the worst lawyer ever.” The legal team claimed the comment triggered online harassment and threats from social media users.

The dispute stems from a custody case involving Davido and Momodu’s daughter, Imade, which had earlier been heard at the Lagos State High Court. After the tense court proceedings, Davido later announced that he would withdraw his custody request, although the controversy surrounding the case continued online.

The death of Denisi has now added a personal tragedy to what appears to be a difficult period for the singer. Fans and followers have taken to social media to express condolences and support for Davido as he navigates both the loss of a close friend and the ongoing legal challenges surrounding the ₦1bn claim.

Davido Loses Close Friend Denisi Amid ₦1bn Legal Dispute