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The Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC) is a coalition of over one hundred and fifty Civil Society Organizations and dozens of individuals committed to the fight against corruption. An initiative of Transparency in Nigeria, ZCC was formed in 2001 with the support of Global Rights (Partners for Justice), (then International Human Rights Group). ZCC was incorporated on 28th September 2007. VISION OF ZCC To build a Nigeria society with Zero-tolerance of corruption. MISSION STATEMENT To re-establish the culture of transparency, accountability, integrity and respect for human dignity in order to attain good governance and social justice. The goals and objectives of ZCC are as follows: a) To promote transparency and accountability in governance. b) To promote the values of integrity, honesty and human dignity c) To build a coalition of individuals and civil society organizations committed to fight corruption in all its ramifications d) To promote service delivery in the public service through the elimination of corrupt practices. e) To oversee the activities of the national and state anti corruption agencies. f) To advocate and support law reforms for promoting transparency and accountability. Presently the work of the coalition is focused on · Awareness Creation through dissemination of information through its list serve · Capacity building for CSOs, the media and other relevant stakeholders · Advocacy for the Improvement of the Processes of public institutions including the monitoring of implementation of the of relevant legislations including the Public Procurement Act, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) amongst others. · Creating a data base on the trend of corruption in Nigeria. ACTIVITIES OF ZCC SINCE INCEPTION PAST ACTIVITIES OF ZCC/ACTIVITIES EXECUTED (2003-2007) Awareness Creation activities Secondary school awareness program: Between April 2004- May 2005 ZCC conducted secondary school awareness programs in Lagos State, which focused on educating the students on the evil of corruption, its adverse effects and the way forward. The outcome of the school awareness program was the establishment of Integrity Clubs in schools, with ZCC providing technical support. National summit on ‘Conflict of Interest’: In July 2005, ZCC with the support of Global Rights Partners for International Development in continuation of its agenda of vertical and horizontal advocacy organized a National Summit on the theme-CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN PUBLIC OFFICE. The summit brought together stakeholders consisting of academics, lawyers and other professions, activists etc. The summit served as a forum for participants to share best practices, discuss and examine key issues related to the existing laws, policy, regulations, provisions of conventions and treaties and examining the role of whistle blowers. It identified both gaps in the legal framework and that of implementation. The outputs of the summit are as follows: - It provided a forum for participants to build their capacity by learning about emerging trends, brainstorm and in the end they came up with concrete suggestions to move the process forward. A communiqué was also issued at the end of the summit, which was published in daily trust.
- It also examined the role of Whistle –Blowers in highlighting infractions in governance.
Training for journalists: ZCC in 2005 conducted trainings for journalists to enhance their capacity to accurately and compellingly report on corruption issues. The training organized based on outcomes of a survey which indicated that journalists lacked adequate skills and knowledge in reporting corrupt practices. The training provided journalists with some investigative tools and mechanisms to do their work more effectively and address risks. Furthermore it was also an opportunity to remind journalists about the central role they play and their obligation to improve governance. A major success from the training was the creation of a new network of journalists called “journalists against corruption” This network works closely with ZCC. Production of ICT Materials: The Zero-Corruption Coalition has produced series of leaflets and posters which is aimed at disseminating information to members of the public on the causes and effects of corruption and how they can be involved in the fight against corruption. Leaflets have also been produced on what citizens need to know about the AU and UN convention in combating corruption. Production of Citizen’s Guide: ZCC produced a manual on the mandate, scope and operations of the two major anti-corruption agencies, the ICPC and the EFCC. The aim of the project was to educate citizens on the operations of these agencies. It was observed that citizens were confused about the differences in the role of ICPC and EFCC, the manual sought to clarify these differences. A remarkable amount of success has been recorded as majority of the citizens have become more aware on where and how to report petitions to these agencies. This manual has been in great demand and has been used by EFCC in National newspapers to convey messages of corruption Promoting Good Governance: Through a Grant from Pact, ZCC organized and facilitated zonal launches of the ‘Stick to the Issues Campaign’ workshop and monitored issues accountability of political parties between February and April 2007. The geographical area of coverage for this project was; Bauchi, Uyo, Kano, Lagos, Minna and Enugu. The objective was to promote issue accountability amongst political parties and election candidates. Also, to increase awareness of Nigerian voters on the importance of issue based campaigning and the need to focus on specific issues that candidates were raising in their campaign rallies and messages and create a demand for more issue based campaign as well as raising public awareness of targeted political parties on accountability to principles of good governance. IMPROVING THE PROCESSES OF PUBLIC AND ANTI-CORRUPTION INSTITUTIONS ZCC has developed and implemented programs aimed at improving and strengthening existing processes of public institutions: Ø Training of CSOs on the use of report card monitoring tool: In 2003 ZCC conducted trainings for CSOs on the use of report card monitoring tool. This took place in Ijebu Ode, Maiduguri, Calabar and Lagos. The training sessions focused on building capacity of CSOs to monitor budgets and expenditure decisions. Ø Technical Expertise: In May 2005 ZCC submitted a memo to the anti-corruption committee of the National Political Reform Conference. The memo was titled “critical issues in the fight against corruption”. Certain factors have been attributed to the causes of corruption and they include weak and ineffective control systems, weak enforcement combating systems, poverty and underdevelopment. ZCC also made some recommendations which included implementing the sanction and reward system, intensive public education, fast track courts to prosecute offenders, motivate remuneration for staff of anti-corruption agencies, increased transparency, closing doors to illicit activities and launching a National Action Plan. The National Action Plan is necessary for a holistic approach towards fighting corruption. The outcome/impact was that the committee adopted most of the recommendations made by the ZCC in this memo submitted to the anti-corruption committee of the National Political Reform conference. ENGAGING THE PROCESSES OF ICPC, EFCC AND CODE OF CONDUCT BUREAU Furthermore, ZCC acts as a watchdog on the key anti-corruption agencies in the country. The ICPC,EFCC, Code of Conduct Bureau and Code of Conduct Tribunal. ZCC has been working on improving the mandate, scope and operations of these agencies. ICPC, EFCC AND CODE OF CONDUCT AMENDMENT BILLS: ZCC convened a meeting of CSO legal experts to examine the Bills for the amendment of the enabling laws of the EFCC, CCB and the Bill for the re-enactment of the ICPC Law. The purpose of the expert meeting was to examine the proposed amendments, analyse their impact on the structures and operations of the agencies and proffer suggestions with a view to strengthening the agencies and positioning them for the impending transition to another government. It provided an opportunity for Civil Society to come out with a more concrete bill, which would aid in strengthening these agencies by making them more independent, effective, and enable a focused plan for advocacy on the bills. ZCC therefore embarked on legislative advocacy to canvass for the passage of these amendment bills and for the organisation of public hearings on these bills. THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE (FMF), HOTLINE PROJECT WITH SUPPORT FROM UNDP The Zero-Corruption Coalition, in line with its mission of stimulating the active participation of the populace in the eradication of corruption has been providing hotline services to the Federal Ministry of Finance. Hotlines are one of the mechanisms used world-wide to provide whistleblowers with access to reporting corruption. This project began in November 2004 and is still on-going. ZCC has deployed a Program Officer at the Anti-corruption Unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance coordinate capacity development/strengthening of staff of the anti-corruption unit and act liaison between ZCC and the FMF on the Hotline. In the course of implementing the hotline project at FMF, successes and challenges have been recorded. One of the major successes is that through the report received and processed at the hotline, two cased have been sent to EFCC for further investigation. However, the project has faces constraints. One major constraint is the lack of adequate publicity of the Hotline to enable citizen’s access the services provided. From the period of November 2004-November 2005 a total of twenty-five telephone calls, ninety-five e-mails and one hand delivered letter and three SMS were received. In 2006, a total of forty e-mails were received. Twenty of the e-mails were related to the subject matter of the project to verify if certain documents from the ministry of finance were authentic. No telephone call was received. In 2007, but a total of eleven e-mails were received,. Future Plans for the Hotline project: ZCC is planning to expand the Hotline project to widen its scope to work directly with the anti-corruption agencies. A proposal to this effect has been submitted to UNDP and is awaiting approval. ZCC intends to carry out publicity once this is approved. Despite all the challenges, the project has enabled ZCC to know the kind of corruption that takes place in the civil service and at what levels. LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY ZCC has been very active in Legislative Advocacy aimed at pushing for the enactment of laws, which will enhance Transparency and Accountability in Nigeria. This activity has brought us into close contact with members of the Legislature with whom we have developed strategic collaborative relationships. Advocacy on whistle-blowers bill: On 11th May 2005, the members of Zero-Corruption Coalition met with the chairman committee of the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption, National Ethics and Values, at the National Assembly complex. The purpose of the visit was to rekindle interest in the Whistle Blowers Bill. Participants included Legislators from the National Assembly, who strongly identified with the cause, government oversight agencies and Civil Society Organizations. The honorable members present gave very useful tips on getting the bill passed.   
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