By Damilola Abiola
Femi Kennedy-Giwa, head of the Lagos State Command and Control Centre, has won the AfriSAFE Public Safety Personality of the Year Award, marking another international recognition for the state’s emergency management system.
Giwa received the continental honour on Friday at the 6th Africa Safety Congress/Africa Safety Award for Excellence (AfriSAFE) 2025, held at the Pride Inn Paradise Beach Resort & Spa in Mombasa, Kenya. The event brought together more than 35,000 professionals, government agencies and industry leaders to celebrate contributions to health, safety, emergency management and technology.
Giwa, one of only four Certified Emergency Managers in Africa under the International Association of Emergency Managers, was recognised for his role in strengthening Lagos’ emergency response systems, public safety coordination and disaster management architecture.
AfriSAFE Chief Executive Femi Da-Silva said Giwa’s recognition “aligns with our mission to spotlight individuals advancing safety standards across the continent,” adding that Lagos has gained a reputation as one of Nigeria’s best-coordinated urban centres due to technology-driven emergency operations and improved response times under Giwa’s watch.
Speaking after the announcement, Giwa credited Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the achievement, citing the administration’s investment in safety infrastructure, personnel development and technology upgrades.
“The governor 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.”
He said the Command and Control Centre had undergone significant transformation, including strengthened inter-agency coordination, improved governance structures and greater public awareness around the state’s toll-free emergency numbers, 767 and 112.
The AfriSAFE award adds to Lagos State’s growing profile as a leader in public safety innovation, emergency coordination and smart-city development.