Ayodele Olalere
The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, has reacted to a viral video where she was seen slapping a man recording her during a meeting.
The incident took place at J.Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Marina.
The video sparked negative reactions from Lagosians with many describing her as a power drunk and condemning her behavior as excessive.
Reacting to the video, the commissioner said the scene was a meeting between her, officials of the ministry and the Director of the Centre, Qudus Onikeku.
Narrating circumstances that led to the incident in a statement by Seriki Omowunmi, Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the commissioner alleged that Qudus was illegally operating a canteen within the premises without the knowledge and approval of the Ministry.
The statement stated that the commissioner questioned the Director over the presence of the canteen and ordered the operator vacate the centre, a move Qudus allegedly violently resisted and asked his team to attack officials of the Ministry.
The Commissioner stated that the man allegedly assaulted by her in the video was a non-state actor who among others were neither recognized by the Lagos State Government nor authorized to attend the meeting.
The statement added that contrary to insinuation that she assaulted the man, it was a senior female member of her team who was physically assaulted by the non-state actors. It noted that the video posted ostensibly was to blackmail her.
The statement further stated that an investigation has been ordered into the incident while appropriate actions would be taken.