Sanwo-Olu’s investment in public safety earns Lagos Global recognition
The Lagos State Government has once again gained international acclaim as the General Manager of the Lagos State Command and Control Centre, Mr. Femi Kennedy Giwa, was honoured with the Public Safety Personality of the Year Award, during the 6th Africa Safety Congress/Africa Safety Award for Excellence (AfriSAFE) 2025 held at the Prideinn Paradise Beach Resort & Spa, Mombasa, Kenya on Friday, 14th November, 2025.
The prestigious continental event, which convened over 35,000 professionals, government agencies, and industry leaders, celebrated outstanding contributions to health, safety, technology and emergency management under the theme: “United for a Safer Africa: Building Strategic Alliances & Leveraging Technology for Sustainable Development.”
The award was presented to Mr. Femi Giwa in recognition of his leadership in strengthening Lagos State’s emergency response, public safety coordination, and disaster management systems.
The Chief Executive Officer of AfriSAFE, Femi Da-Silva, said Giwa’s contribution reflects the award’s objective of celebrating individuals advancing safety across the continent. According to him, Giwa’s leadership has contributed to Lagos’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s safest and best-coordinated urban centres, particularly through technology-driven emergency management and improved response times.
He added that the recipient is an environmental and emergency management professional with decades of experience, and is one of only four Certified Emergency Managers in Africa under the International Association of Emergency Managers.
Speaking on the recognition, Mr Giwa attributed the achievement to the visionary leadership and strategic investment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whose administration has prioritised public safety infrastructure, capacity development, and technological advancement across emergency response systems in Lagos State.
He noted that the Governor’s support enabled the Command and Control Centre to record transformative milestones, including robust infrastructural upgrades, the establishment of functional governance structures, improved inter-agency collaboration, and increased public sensitisation on the responsible use of the State’s toll-free emergency line 767/112.
“Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment to building a safer, smarter, and more resilient Lagos. This award is a direct reflection of his investment in technology, human capital and emergency response capability. Under the Governor’s leadership, the Lagos State Command and Control Centre has evolved into a state-of-the-art technology hub powered by advanced systems comparable with global standards.
The Centre now serves as a nerve point for real-time monitoring, coordinated responses, and city-wide safety management, reinforcing Lagos’ position as a leader in emergency management in Africa” Giwa said.
The AfriSAFE Award adds to the growing list of recognitions received by Lagos State for its innovative approach to public safety, emergency coordination, and the Governor’s sustained drive toward a modern, technology-driven smart city.
