EMCAN Dissolves Oyema Led Executive, Constitutes Interim Leadership, Electoral Committee

The Environmental Media Correspondents Association of Nigeria (EMCAN) has dissolved its interim Executive Committee led by Amechi Chukwuekwu Oyema and constituted a new interim leadership alongside a three-member Electoral Committee to oversee fresh elections within one month.

The decision was reached during an Emergency Congress of the association held July 31, 2026, in Abuja, where environmental journalists from various media organisations unanimously resolved to reposition the association and strengthen its institutional governance in line with democratic principles and professional standards.

A statement jointly signed by the newly appointed Interim Chairman, Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah, and Interim Secretary, David Onoja, said members expressed concern over the prolonged tenure of the previous leadership and the absence of an electoral process for the emergence of substantive executive members.

Following extensive deliberations, the Congress adopted a motion dissolving the executive committee headed by Oyema and approved the establishment of an interim leadership to manage the affairs of the association pending the conduct of elections.

To ensure a credible and transparent transition, the Congress inaugurated a three-member Electoral Committee comprising Chidi Ugwu, Adah Achanya and Adekunle Silver Buruji. The committee has been mandated to organise elections within one month and work with the former executive to retrieve all documents, records, bank details and other assets belonging to the association.

The newly constituted Interim Leadership Committee is chaired by Joycelyn E. Adah, with David Onoja serving as Interim Secretary. Other members include Zeniat O. Abubakar, Abigael I. Joshua, Samuel Adeyinka and Folarin Kehinde.

The Congress also cautioned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as corporate organisations, against conducting official business with the dissolved leadership of the association.

According to the statement, members stressed that the decisions were taken in the collective interest of strengthening EMCAN, promoting accountability, encouraging wider participation and ensuring that the association operates in accordance with democratic and professional best practices.

The interim leadership pledged to work with all stakeholders to promote unity, transparency and inclusiveness while supporting the Electoral Committee to deliver free, fair and credible elections within the stipulated timeframe.

The Congress reaffirmed its commitment to building a stronger, more vibrant and influential association that would effectively represent the interests of environmental journalists while advancing environmental reporting and advocacy across Nigeria.