Head Of Service Backs Local Govts’ Initiative On “Proof of Address”

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has endorsed the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON)’s “Proof of Address” (PoA) initiative, describing it as a strategic reform designed to strengthen governance, enhance security, and improve administrative efficiency nationwide.

In Cross River State, the government has already begun full implementation of the initiative, launching a statewide sensitisation campaign for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other stakeholders. The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Owan Enoh—represented by Rev. Victor Usibe, Director of Administration in the Office of the SSG—said at a stakeholders’ meeting in Calabar that the programme would bolster intelligence gathering, crime detection, and emergency response, while also improving planning, service delivery, and access to government interventions.

Mrs. Walson-Jack spoke during a courtesy visit by an ALGON delegation led by Hon. Sam Akala to her office, where she commended the initiative’s alignment with the Federal Civil Service reform agenda. She noted that its emphasis on digitalisation, data integrity, and institutional coordination directly supports ongoing transformation efforts across MDAs.

According to her, in a statement signed by Eno Olotu, Director of Press and Public Relations, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, a reliable and verifiable address system is fundamental to ensuring accurate data management and seamless public service delivery, stressing that the initiative aligns with the broader vision of building a digitally empowered Civil Service.

She assured the delegation of the support of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) in driving sensitisation and encouraging nationwide adoption.

Providing an overview of the project, Hon. Akala explained that the Proof of Address initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and key partner agencies, including the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

He said the initiative seeks to establish a unified, credible, and verifiable national address system that will serve as a foundational tool for governance and commerce.

Back in Cross River, the Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Commission, Mrs. Odu Oji, assured stakeholders of the readiness of local government councils to ensure seamless implementation, noting that councils would collaborate closely with relevant agencies to enhance security coverage and guarantee that residents benefit from government programmes.

The State Proof of Address Coordinator, Ufere Adat Sunday, said the sensitisation exercise is aimed at aligning MDAs under a unified implementation framework. He added that the initiative would improve data integrity, optimise revenue generation, and strengthen policy execution at both state and local government levels.

Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of the Proof of Address initiative, Mrs. Isi Okwuadi, described the programme as a federal government-supported intervention designed to bridge security and social gaps while enhancing emergency response systems. She listed key benefits to include improved identification of residents, stronger surveillance capabilities, faster emergency response, easier access to financial and public services, increased revenue efficiency, and better governance planning.

Stakeholders at the meeting pledged their full support, describing the initiative as a major step toward building a more accountable, transparent, and data-driven governance system in Cross River State.