Lagos State has recorded another major international milestone as the General Manager of the Lagos State Command and Control Centre, Mr. Femi Kennedy-Giwa, emerged winner of the AfriSAFE Public Safety Personality of the Year Award.
Giwa received the continental honour at the 6th Africa Safety Congress/Africa Safety Award for Excellence (AfriSAFE) 2025 held on Friday at the Pride Inn Paradise Beach Resort & Spa, Mombasa, Kenya.
The event, which convened more than 35,000 professionals, government agencies and industry leaders, recognised outstanding contributions to health, safety, emergency management and technology under the theme: “United for a Safer Africa: Building Strategic Alliances & Leveraging Technology for Sustainable Development.”
Giwa, one of only four Certified Emergency Managers in Africa under the International Association of Emergency Managers, was honoured for his leadership in strengthening Lagos’ emergency response systems, public safety coordination and disaster management structure.
Chief Executive Officer of AfriSAFE, Mr. Femi Da-Silva, said Giwa’s recognition aligns with the organisers’ mission to celebrate individuals advancing safety standards across the continent.
He said Lagos has earned a reputation as one of Nigeria’s best-coordinated urban centres due to technology-driven emergency operations and improved response times under Giwa’s oversight.
Reacting to the award, Giwa attributed the achievement to the strategic investments and visionary support of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, noting that the administration had prioritised safety infrastructure, personnel development and technology upgrades.
He said the Command and Control Centre had undergone significant transformation through improved governance structures, strengthened inter-agency coordination and enhanced public enlightenment on the use of the state’s toll-free emergency lines 767/112.
“Mr. Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has demonstrated unwavering commitment to building a safer, smarter and more resilient Lagos,” Giwa said.
“This award is a reflection of his investment in technology, human capital and emergency capability. The Centre now operates as a state-of-the-art hub with systems comparable to global standards, enabling real-time monitoring and swift, coordinated responses.”
The AfriSAFE Award adds to the growing profile of Lagos State as a leader in public safety innovation, emergency coordination and smart-city development.
