Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has clarified that he did not personally donate N20 million to actress Sarah Martins’ Golden Heart Foundation.
He explained that the funds were raised by a group of his friends who were moved by compassion to support Martins’ charity work.
In an Instagram post, Tinubu emphasized that while he appreciates their generosity, he does not condone any actions that break Lagos State laws. He further stated that the donation was intended to help Martins secure a proper space to run her business, not to circumvent legal procedures.
Tinubu also stressed his commitment to law and order, saying, “Lagos thrives on order, and Nigeria’s strength depends on our collective respect for both our law and order.” His clarification comes amid confusion following announcements made on social media about the donation.
The controversy started when Sarah Martins claimed she had received N20 million from Seyi Tinubu to support her charity work. She alleged that during a recent outreach, officials disrupted her activities, seized equipment, and she sustained minor burns from hot oil.
The Lagos State Government, however, defended its officials, stating that Martins’ street cooking on a public road median violated environmental and safety regulations. Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, highlighted that while the state welcomes charitable acts, all initiatives must comply with the law to avoid traffic obstruction or risk to lives.
The situation underscores the need for charitable efforts to follow regulatory guidelines while allowing good causes to thrive. Seyi Tinubu’s clarification aims to separate his personal actions from the generosity of friends who contributed to Martins’ foundation.