Femi Kennedy Giwa, general manager of the Lagos State Command and Control Centre, has won the public safety personality of the year award at the 2025 Africa Safety Congress/Africa Safety Award for Excellence (AfriSAFE).
The event, which took place on November 14 in Mombasa, Kenya, brought together more than 35,000 professionals, government agencies, and industry leaders.
The event focused on 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 recognised for his work in strengthening Lagos’ emergency response, public safety coordination, and disaster management systems.
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Femi Da-Silva, chief executive officer of AfriSAFE, said the award reflects the organisation’s goal of celebrating individuals advancing safety across the continent.
He said Giwa’s leadership has helped position Lagos as one of Nigeria’s safest and best-coordinated urban centres through technology-driven emergency management and improved response times.
Reacting to the honour, Giwa credited the achievement to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, whom he described as providing “visionary leadership and strategic investment” in public safety infrastructure, capacity development, and technology.
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He said the command and control centre has recorded “transformative milestones” under the governor, including infrastructural upgrades, strengthened governance structures, improved inter-agency collaboration and increased public sensitisation on the appropriate use of Lagos’ toll-free emergency numbers 767 and 112.
“Mr. 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,” Giwa said.
“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.”
The AfriSAFE recognition adds to the growing list of honours Lagos has received for its technology-driven approach to public safety and emergency coordination, according to the public affairs unit of the Lagos State Command and Control Centre.
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