FADE Africa and Embracing Humanity Initiative to Mark International Day for Climate Action with Tree Planting and Sensitization Campaign in Akwukwu-Igbo, Delta State on 12th December 2024.
The Fight Against Desert Encroachment (FADE) in collaboration with the Embracing Humanity Initiative (E.H.I) is set to observe the International Day for Climate Action on 12th December 2024 in Akwukwu-Igbo, Delta State. This momentous event will feature a mass tree planting exercise alongside a sensitization campaign to encourage sustainable environmental practices, aiming to inspire communities to actively contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.

The event is particularly significant as it aligns with the urgent call for climate action to protect the planet and its ecosystems. The initiative is rooted in the words of Dr. Newton Jibunoh, founder of FADE, who has always advocated for leaving the Earth in a better state than we found it.
This exercise will feature:

• Tree Planting where Volunteers and local community members will plant trees to help combat desertification, restore ecosystems, and improve air quality.
• A series of interactive discussions and workshops will be conducted to raise awareness on the importance of environmental sustainability and the critical need for collective action against climate change.

Dr. Newton Jibunoh, the founder of FADE, will deliver an inspiring keynote address on the necessity of leaving a positive environmental legacy. His speech will underscore the significance of caring for the earth, a message that is more relevant than ever.

Dr. Newton in his words, said, “Our mission is simple: to ensure that we leave this earth better than we met it. Each tree planted, each action taken, is a step toward reversing the damage done and preserving the planet for future generations.”

The event is open to the public and invites individuals, organizations, and environmental advocates to join hands in making a positive environmental impact. Local authorities and community leaders are also expected to participate and lend their support.

By focusing on tree planting and educating the public, FADE and E.H.I are working to instill a culture of environmental stewardship and collective responsibility, fostering a sense of urgency about the climate crisis.

As an organization, FADE Africa remains committed to providing platforms that would give Africa the opportunity to analyze its environmental problems and develop strategies to address them. It is presently accredited by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum and endorsed by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). It currently has working partnerships with Lagos, Delta, Ogun, Kano and Jigawa State governments.

It is also in partnership with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) on the bridging and greening of the Sahara desert. A special purpose vehicle known as the Nigerian Society of Engineers – Taming African Deserts (NSE-TAD) to drive the project has been established and the Governing Council and Boards inaugurated.

FADE’s Mission:

• To mitigate against climate change
• To check against desertification and gully erosion
• To beautify our villages, towns and restore the ecosystem
• To combat the immense threat, we face and the urgent need to mobilize hundreds of thousands of people to imbibe the culture of tree planting.

FADE has conducted and been involved in numerous projects and initiatives which is documented over the years.

Similar Initiatives by FADE Africa:

1. Newton Jibunoh Desert Warriors Expedition and Reality Show: This is in partnership with the Lagos State Government. The first reality show took place in Agadez, Niger Republic in February 2010 but is suspended at the moment due to the unrest in countries along the expedition route within the last three years. Trees were planted by the contestants which were championed and coordinated by FADE. A total of 2,000 trees were planted by the contestants and the villagers. A cross section of the contestants participating in the Reality Tv.
2. Garden of 75 Trees: A commemoration of Dr Newton Jibunoh’s 75th birthday. This project was created to showcase the importance of every individual to imbibe the culture of tree planting. Seventy-five trees were planted on the first day of January 2013 by seventy-five persons led by the Governor of Lagos State, Commissioners, Friends of the Environment, Family Members and Staff. Subsequently, hundreds of trees have been planted since then in the garden to expand and replace any mortality.
3. Mandela Garden of 95 Trees: A commemoration of Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday. It is in partnership with the Delta State Government and seeks to promote a culture of environmental conservation and tourism. Due to its strategic location within the grounds of the Asaba International Airport, it has the potential to service at least six states in the south-south and southeastern regions of Nigeria.
4. Makoda Pilot Project: Walls of Trees planted in Makoda Local Government Area of Kano State to recover the land from desertification. Makoda Community Secondary School students took ownership, in partnership with the Kano State Government and The Emirate Council. Dr. Newton Jinunoh at the Wall of Trees in Makoda. Right: An elevated water reservoir fed from a borehole. The hut houses the diesel generator that powers the submersible pump in the borehole built in between the Wall of Trees, Makoda.
5. Greening and Beautification of Asaba, Delta State. Dr. Newton and Fade Crew planting along the streets of Asaba, Delta State. FRSC joined in the planting of trees.
6. Lagos state Greening Project: A major partnership exists with Lagos State Government which not only adopted and co-opted FADE’s tree nurturing techniques in its “Greening of Lagos State Project”, but made Dr. Jibunoh a “Green Ambassador Emeritus” for Lagos State. In addition, Lagos State is the partner of FADE for the “Dr. Newton Jibunoh’s Desert Expedition” programmes.
7. Ogun State Greening. Dr. Newton Jibunoh, The then governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Dr. Olufonso Amosun during the Ogun Going Green Project.

To further buttress, here are some of our success stories in bullet points:
Success Stories:

• Establishment of the Wall of Trees successfully holding back the desert at Makoda Local Government Area of Kano State.
• Annual Tree Planting Competition Across Secondary Schools and Technical Colleges in Kano State
• Desert Expeditions Across the Sahara Desert from Lagos to London (Three times running)
• Desert Warriors Reality show and Expedition in partnership with Lagos State Government
• MTN Y’ello Care Project Consultants
• State Monitoring and Evaluation Consultants of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in Kano State for 7 years running.
• Creation of the Mandela Garden on 95 Trees in Asaba Delta State.
• Project Consultants to State governments on environmental related matters (Kano, Lagos, Delta, Katsina and Ogun).
• Planting of 85 Trees in front of Asaba International Airport to create a Garden.

Again due to FADE’s visibility and its crusade as a protector of the environment, FADE had in the last 6 years been working with the Millennium Development Goals Office of the President in carrying out the monitoring and evaluation (M & E) of the projects under the 8 sectors of the United Nations MDGs programmes designed to improve quality of life, reduce infant mortality, improve maternal health care, and eradicate poverty in Nigeria.

Fade has and is still partnering with businesses, organizations and individuals to create awareness as it concerns planting of trees and saving the environment for ourselves and the future generation.

With activities of this nature as explained here and in the preceding paragraphs FADE has come to the notice of such international organisations as the UNCCD, who has accorded FADE a partnership status and the right to use its LOGO on its projects, and UNEP, who has equally accredited FADE to its Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum as an observer at its sessions and has registered FADE as a welcome participant in any of its programmes world-wide.

For more information, press inquiries, or to participate in the event visit: www.fadeafrica.org

Reach us at @writous.e.h.i@gmail.com or fadeafrica@yahoo.co.uk

Let’s unite for a greener, more sustainable future. Join us in Akwukwu-Igbo on December 12th to make a difference!