Saturday, January 11, 2025 -The Lagos State government has launched an investigation into a viral video showing the state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, in a scuffle with a man who was filming her.
The
viral video showed the Commissioner in a heated argument with the owner of the
firm that manages the J.K. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Qudus
Onikeku. The argument between the Commissioner and Onikeku degenerated
when she kicked against one of the security aides of Onikeku filming her.
She could be seen standing up to stop the aide who was recording her.
A press
statement issued from her office reads;
‘’The
attention of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture has been
drawn to a viral video circulating on social media regarding an incident at the
J.K. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History. It is imperative to set the
records straight and clarify the events that led to the said video.
The
Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke
Benson-Awoyinka has the statutory responsibility of oversight over all
facilities under the Ministry’s purview. In line with this mandate, she
embarked on an inspection visit to the J.K. Randle Centre.
During
the inspection, it was discovered that the Director of the Centre, Qudus
Onikeku, was illegally operating a canteen within the premises without the
knowledge and approval of the Ministry. This prompted Mrs. Benson-Awoyinka to
question the presence of the establishment and initiate an eviction which the
Centre’s Director violently resisted and had his team attack officials of the
Ministry.
The
non-state actors who are neither recognised by the Lagos State Government nor
authorised to attend the meeting, who accompanied the Centre's Director, barged
in, while he ordered them to record the proceedings which the Honourable
Commissioner objected to. It must be emphasised that recording any meeting
without the consent of the presiding authority is unacceptable and a breach of
protocol.
For
clarity, Mrs. Benson-Awoyinka did not assault anyone. Instead, a senior female
member of her team was physically assaulted by the non-state actors, which then
escalated, as seen in the viral video depicting a totally false narrative. The
video posted ostensibly to blackmail her speaks for itself.
The
Honourable Commissioner maintained her stance that unauthorized persons should
not participate in the meeting or record its discussions, which is in line with
standard administrative procedures.
An
investigation has been ordered into the occurrence, and appropriate actions
will be taken.
The
Ministry remains committed to upholding transparency, accountability, and the
efficient management of all its facilities. The Honourable Commissioner will
continue to discharge her duties in the best interest of Lagos State and its
citizens.
Lagos Commissioner for Tourism, TOKE BENSON, denies assaulting a public officer (VIDEO) pic.twitter.com/knfPgmsLns
— DAILY POST 🇳🇬 (@dailypost_ng) January 11, 2025
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