By Maryanne Awuya
In a decisive move aimed at restoring order and credibility, the Environmental Media Correspondents Association of Nigeria (EMCAN) has appointed the Digital Content Editor of PerSecondNews, Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah, as its Interim Chairman following an emergency congress held in Abuja on Friday.
The high-stakes emergency congress attended by environmental journalists from print, broadcast, and digital outlets across Nigeria concluded with the dissolution of the association’s executive committee.
The move follows growing demands for restructuring, greater transparency, and institutional reform.
Delegates noted that the leadership reset was essential to restore democratic accountability within EMCAN, the principal association for journalists covering environmental issues nationwide.
Adah’s emergence as interim chairman places her at the helm of the association at a critical time, as members push to rebuild trust and reposition EMCAN as a stronger voice in environmental reporting and advocacy.
The congress also constituted a three member Electoral Committee tasked with conducting fresh elections within 30 days.
The committee comprises Chidi Ugwu, Adah Achanya, and Adekunle Silver Buruji, and has been mandated to work closely with the outgoing leadership to recover all association’s assets, including official documents, financial records, and bank details.
Other members of the newly constituted interim leadership include David Onoja as Interim Secretary, alongside Zeniat O. Abubakar, Abigael I. Joshua, Samuel Adeyinka, and Folarin Kehinde.
In her acceptance remarks, Adah expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in the interim leadership, pledging to steer EMCAN through a period of reform anchored on transparency, inclusiveness, and institutional stability.
“We are committed to rebuilding trust, strengthening unity among members, and ensuring EMCAN becomes a more effective platform for environmental journalists nationwide,” she said.
The congress reaffirmed its resolve to reposition EMCAN as a more vibrant and professional body capable of amplifying environmental issues and strengthening advocacy through responsible journalism across Nigeria’s print, broadcast, and digital media space.