Lagos State has recorded another major international milestone as the General Manager of the Lagos State Command and Control Centre, Mr. Femi Giwa, emerged the winner of the AfriSAFE Public Safety Personality of the Year Award.
This was contained in a statement issued by Mrs. Yemisi Sule, Head, Public Affairs Unit, Command and Control Centre, and made available to reporters on Tuesday in Lagos.
Giwa received the continental honor at the sixth Africa Safety Congress/Africa Safety Award for Excellence (AfriSAFE) 2025, held on Friday at the Pride Inn Paradise Beach Resort & Spa in Mombasa, Kenya.
The event, which gathered more than 35,000 professionals, government agencies, and industry leaders, recognized outstanding contributions to health, safety, emergency management and technology.
The theme for the 2025 edition was “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 honored for his leadership in strengthening Lagos’ emergency response systems, public safety coordination and disaster management structure.
The Chief Executive Officer of AfriSAFE, Mr. Femi Da-Silva, said the recognition aligns with the organizations mission to celebrate individuals championing improved safety standards across the continent.
He noted that Lagos has earned a reputation as one of Nigeria’s best-coordinated urban centres due to technology-driven emergency operations and faster response times under Giwa’s supervision.
Responding to the award, Giwa attributed the achievement to the strategic investments and visionary leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
He said the administration has prioritized safety infrastructure, personnel development, and technological upgrades.
According to him, the Command and Control Centre has undergone significant transformation through enhanced governance structures, stronger inter-agency coordination and improved public awareness on the use of the state’s toll-free emergency lines, 767 and 112.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has demonstrated unwavering commitment to building a safer, smarter and more resilient Lagos,” he said.
“This award reflects 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.
