The event was well covered by local radio and print media. The rains commenced about the time of the launching and planting began. This activity continued throughout the months of the rainy season, which witnessed unusually heavy rain compared to the norm in Zaria. By the time the rains ceased in October we had planted a total of 3,213 trees. We nurtured the remaining seedlings through the dry season and began planting again when the rains began in 2023.
In order to sustain this project, it was decided to register it as an independent NGO and remove it from under the umbrella of the Institute. The name “Zaria Afforestation Project” was not approved by the Corporate Affairs Commission in charge of registering corporate bodies, so the name was changed to “Reforesting Zaria Initiative”. In addition to continuing with the tree planting, there are plans for establishing a botanical garden and accelerating the work of educating and sensitising members of the public on the need for supporting the project and improving the health and welfare of the community through planting and maintaining the tree cover.