AfriPulse
Businessman and philanthropist Seyi Tinubu, son of Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has publicly denied claims that he donated ₦20 million to actress Sarah Martins’ charity foundation.
The rumor, which spread rapidly across social media on Thursday, alleged that Seyi Tinubu made a generous contribution to support the actress’s outreach for the homeless. However, in a swift response through his media team, Seyi described the report as “false and misleading.”
Seyi Tinubu denied rumors that he gave N20 million to the Golden Heart Foundation, which is headed by Nollywood actress Sarah Martins.
While some of his friends had donated money to help a woman who was recently fined for violating Lagos environmental standards, Seyi made it clear that he was not directly involved in the gift in a statement posted on his Instagram Story on Friday.
He restated that although he actively contributes to legitimate charity causes, all of his contributions are made openly through recognized foundations.
Despite the good intentions of the contributors, Seyi Tinubu emphasized that he does not support any behavior that contravenes Lagos State law.
“Their aim, I understand, was to help her establish a proper space for her business, not to bypass the law. I value their generosity and concern.
“That being said, I want to make it clear that, despite their good intentions, I do not support any act that contravenes the regulations of Lagos State.
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“Order is essential for Lagos to flourish, and Nigeria’s progress relies on our collective adherence to law and order. Compassion and patriotism should always go hand in hand,” Seyi stated.
His statement comes after the Lagos State Government has defended the arrest of Sarah Martins, who was detained while distributing food and relief items to homeless people.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources said the actress and her team “conducted a public outreach without prior approval and obstructed pedestrian movement,” insisting that her intentions, though charitable, were “carried out in a manner that endangered lives and disrupted public order.”
While acknowledging that the actress was in fact detained by its environmental inspectors, the ministry said that her actions went beyond current safety and sanitary laws.
The statement read, “While the state appreciates the spirit of philanthropy, such initiatives must comply with environmental and sanitation laws to ensure public safety.”
Using public areas for private or business reasons might harm infrastructure, impede traffic, and endanger the health of locals, the ministry stated.
The government did, however, recognize the value of charity endeavors and urged Lagos residents to engage in them within the bounds of the law.
“We urge all residents and organizations involved in charitable work to partner with relevant agencies for guidance on compliant practices”, the statement added.
Source: RipplesNigeria | Read the Full Story…
