21/05/2026
Lagos Strengthens Emergency Coordination with Technology-Driven Response System
In a bid to strengthen emergency response coordination and enhance public safety, the Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Command and Control Centre (LSCCC), held a multi-agency stakeholders’ engagement themed: “One Response, One Platform: Advancing Integrated Emergency Management in Lagos State.”
Declaring the stakeholders’ meeting open in Ikeja, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde, described the gathering as a strategic institutional framework aimed at strengthening interoperability, multi-agency coordination, and technology-driven emergency response management within the State.
The Commissioner noted that emergency management can no longer operate in silos, emphasizing the urgent need for integrated communication systems, synchronized operational protocols, real-time information sharing, unified command structures, and data-driven decision-making processes capable of supporting rapid deployment and coordinated response during emergencies and disasters.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Lagos State Government to continuous investment in emergency management infrastructure, capacity building, technology, and inter-agency coordination. According to him, the State Government will continue to strengthen systems and partnerships that enhance public safety and emergency preparedness across Lagos State.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Sesan Ogundeko, urged all stakeholders to embrace the initiative with professionalism, discipline, and a collective sense of responsibility, noting that the safety and resilience of communities largely depend on the efficiency of coordination systems and the competence of emergency responders.
He further stated that the success of the Lagos Emergency Response Management System (LERMS) and the broader emergency management architecture of Lagos State would depend on the ability of stakeholders to institutionalize collaboration, effectively leverage technology, and sustain a culture of continuous capacity development.
Speaking with newsmen, the General Manager of the Lagos State Command and Control Centre, Femi Kennedy-Giwa, described the event as timely and highly significant, as it seeks to reinforce operational synergy among first responders, security agencies, traffic management authorities, healthcare responders, fire services, environmental agencies, and other critical actors within the State’s emergency management ecosystem.
According to him, the LSCCC remains committed to strengthening institutional capacity and advancing sustainable reforms that will improve public safety outcomes across the State.
Mr. Kennedy-Giwa sincerely appreciated the visionary leadership and support of the administration of Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, as well as the guidance of the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, for their unwavering commitment to building a safer Lagos.
He also commended all stakeholders and first responders for their dedication, professionalism, and sacrifice in the protection of lives and property.
He thereafter encouraged participants to actively engage and maximize the opportunities presented by the landmark programme, stressing that collective collaboration remains critical to building a more responsive, resilient, and technology-driven emergency management system for Lagos State.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, emphasized the importance of synergy among emergency responders in order to avoid overlapping responsibilities, noting that disaster and emergency management is fundamentally a collective effort.
Speaking on the technical training session on LERMS, the Managing Director of Softseer Ltd, Iyanu Fakoya, explained that participants underwent intensive technical training designed to provide a strategic platform for harmonizing response protocols, enhancing inter-agency synergy, and improving emergency coordination through technology-driven solutions.
According to him, LERMS integrates multiple layers of emergency response into a single, unified ecosystem, thereby ensuring seamless coordination among first responders.
He added that the platform incorporates key services, including the EKO HELP distress system, which enables residents to report emergencies through mobile applications, USSD, SMS, and other communication channels.
Participants at the LERMS Technical Training and Stakeholders’ Engagement on Emergency Management included representatives from Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Ambulance Service, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (Domestic Violence Unit), Ministry of Youth and Social Development, National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), among other critical stakeholders.
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