The tenure of the pioneer Registrar of Coal City University (CCU), Enugu, Nigeria, Mrs. Loretta Joy Udeh, which began on 2nd February, 2017, comes to an end February 2, 2021. In a special Senate Session held in her honour on Monday 1st February, 2021 at the University Senate Chamber, members of Senate thanked Mrs. Udeh for her contributions to Coal City University. The Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice- Chancellor, Bursar, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, Heads of Units and Programme Coordinators were in attendance during the valedictory Senate Session in Udeh’s honour.
The Vice-Chancellor of Coal City University, Professor Afam Icha-Ituma, in his opening remark commended the outgoing Registrar for her humility and diligence, describing her as an astute university administrator. The Vice-Chancellor noted that Mrs. Udeh had the appropriate temperament to effectively manage staff and students interaction and relations which accounted for the great successes achieved by the Registry Department under her watch.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Afam Icha-Ituma addressing the Special Senate session in honour of the outgoing Registrar, Mrs. Loretta Joy Udeh

 Speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor of the University, Sir Chinedu Ani, said the Registrar reflects all good testimonies about her, commending her for steadfastness, keeping faith and laying a good foundation in the Registry Department. He praised the outgoing Registrar for her hard work, integrity and dedication to duty. Sir Ani wished her well in her future endeavors and ceded her official car to her as a parting gift for a meritorious service to the University.

The lively and cheerful Senate session was filled with warm feelings of friendship and appreciation shared by members of Senate. It was encomium upon encomium, eulogy, tributes upon tributes on the four years of uncommon administrative skills, mien, charming demeanor and peace exuded by Mrs. Udeh while serving as the Registrar.  Colleagues, Professor Joseph Aneke, Professor Emmanuel Akubue, Dr. Ike Odigbo, Dr. Henrietta Uzoeto, Chidimma Onwunta and others took time to praise the Registrar for her meritorious service. Members of the Senate noted that the Registrar’s contagious smile, humour, graceful mien and natural carriage helped to bring stability in otherwise crises situations.

Speaking during the event, the outgoing Registrar thanked the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, principal officers, members of Senate and all members of staff for their support.  She stated that serving as the pioneer Registrar was a wonderful opportunity, noting that “time is not measured by years, but by moments. I may not remember many years of my life, but I will remember this moment.  I will continue to be an ambassador of Coal City University. I wish the University continued success”.

L-R- The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr. Sylvester Igwe; Chancellor, Sir Chinedu Ani; outgoing Registrar, Mrs. Loretta Udeh; Vice chancellor, Professor Afam Icha-Ituma; Bursar, Lady Njideka Ani; the incoming Registrar, Rev Fr. Dr. Ike Odigbo; and the University Librarian, Mrs. Perpetua Ukwueze in a group Photograph.

The farewell event continued at the residence of the outgoing Registrar, amid eating drinking and merrymaking. Friends, associates and colleagues paid glowing tributes to her for her extraordinary service to the university and wished her well in her next assignment. Mrs. Loretta Joy Udeh was born on 22nd March, 1960 in Opi, Nsukka Council Area of Enugu State, obtaining her first and second degrees from the prestigious University of Nigeria Nsukka. She had, prior to her appointment in Coal City University, served in various capacities as Senior Assistant Registrar, Deputy Registrar, Secretary, Post-Graduate School, all in Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUTH.

In a related development, the Vice-Chancellor, announced that the Board of Trustees have approved the appointment of Rev Fr. Dr. Ike Odigbo as the second substantive Registrar of the University, replacing Mrs. Loretta Udeh, whose tenure just ended.