In 2001, FADE Africa conceived and executed a pilot project tagged “Wall of Trees” in Makoda, Kano State. Following our exposure to the effects of desertification in the northern region, we wanted to prove that trees could reclaim lost lands and give communities another chance at thriving. The Wall of Trees project was in conjunction with the State Government and several of our partners namely International Energy Insurance, British Council. The location was selected by the state at our request to identify the area suffering the most from land degradation in the state. Through the planting of trees in three rows and the use of school students and residents of the community to nurture the trees, FADE was able to help the village restore its farm lands that had been lost to the desert as well as establish pilot cottage industry for training women in the business of processing the fruits from the trees for oils, juices, soap-making oils; thus demonstrating the economic benefits of the trees.

2 years on, FADE proceeded to replicate the success recorded in Makoda in other local government areas by instituting a ‘Tree Planting Competition’ among Secondary School students, with a bi-annual assessment for the best schools in a pool of seven schools in each competition period

The positive results of the “Wall of Trees” project spurred a 3rd expedition across the Sahara in 2008 by Dr. Jibunoh with 5 youths. Prior to starting FADE, Dr. Jibunoh had embarked on two other similar expeditions.

Another memorable project by FADE was a TV Reality Show produced by the organization in 2010 as the first of a 2-part annual Desert Expedition programme, named after the Founder of FADE, and designed to bring young professionals into the fight against desertification and environmental degradation. Called “Desert Warriors” it takes the advocacy of combating desertification to another level by camping participants in desert countries for 3 weeks during which time they undertake land management assignments coupled with endurance training on a competing basis.

We have also been involved in several developmental projects like the MDGs and SDGs. For many years, the Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) awarded various contracts on the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Projects and programmes in so many state of the Federation. These states include; Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto States. FADE in 2006 and 2007 carried out M & E services for MDG projects in these states as the lead CSO. FADE Africa has also carried out the 2008 and 2009 M & E services contracts in Kano state alone, where we had our head office for 10 years up until 2015. Our services were also offered and accepted for the same role in 2011.

That same year, FADE collaborated with MTN in the tree planting campaign carried out in 8 states of the Federation, MTN drawing on the experience of FADE to provide much needed social services. The organization had been inspired by our partnership with Lagos state  in 2007on a tree planting campaign and environmental beautification carried out across the state.

Our experience spans beyond the MDGs, Desert traipsing and Tree planting as we were recently engaged by the Federal Ministry of Environment under its organization, NEWMAP to consult on the Afforestation programme of the National Green Bond Issuance process.

With activities of this nature and more, FADE came to the notice of international organizations such as the UNCCD, which accorded FADE a partnership status and the right to use its LOGO on its projects; and the UNEP, who has equally accredited FADE to its Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum as an observer at its sessions and registered FADE as a welcome participant in any of its programmes worldwide.