UBA Strengthens Brand Afiliation on Nigerian Campuses , Unveils 15 Ambassadors

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc Friday launched the maiden edition of its Campus Ambassador Programme with the induction of the first 15 brand ambassadors.

The UBA Campus Ambassador Programme is an initiative to identify young emerging leaders among students of tertiary institutions and give them a unique and highly rewarding learning experience.

The 15 successful candidates were selected from among 200 students across tertiary institutions in Nigeria through a rigorous screening exercise in line with set criteria.

The colorful inauguration ceremony was held at the UBA house in Lagos with the Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Victor Osadolor, and other senior management staff in attendance.

“UBA is pleased to have you all on board as valuable Ambassadors who will help us propagate our goodwill messages, ethos, values and what we stand for as a bank, across your institutions," said Osadolor. He noted that the goal is to give students a platform to demonstrate leadership as well as build and instill the brand ethos into the consciousness of the youths.According to Mr. Osadolor, UBA is a bank with strong affiliation to youths, evident in the Bank's scholarship and grants schemes through the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition among stother educational initiatives.

"Two hundred of you went through the process and 15 of you came out tops, which proves that you are leadings lights, energetic and enterprising with great potentials which is exactly what we want to explore. The values you bring on board will help us support this process and we do hope as you learn and internalize what we stand for, you will all be good ambassadors and represent us well as admirable leaders others can look up to, propagating our message even beyond the 12 months period of your assignment as UBA ambassadors”, Osadolor said.

Also speaking, the Head, Student Banking of UBA Plc, Mr. Tomiwa Sotiloye, said UBA, being a top financial institution with presence across Africa, is one the ambassadors should be proud of, especially in the discharge of their duties of spreading the institution’s ethos. He charged them to be good leaders and positive influencers who should stand out by ensuring the bank’s reputation soars high in their respective campuses.The 15 ambassadors, who are A-list students in their various institutions, include Orji Somtochukwu Philippa a 300 Level Medical student of Abia State University, Uturu. She is currently a UBA Scholar after winning the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition in 2011. Phillipa is a Member of the Campus Press Student Authors’ Association (CAPSAA) and a Founder of ‘The Fe-clinical Group’ for Female pre-clinical medical students, ABSU.  Ahmad Mustapha is a 400 Level, Quantity Surveying student at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He is a Social Media Enthusiast, Writer and an avid reader. Odunewu Oluwasegun, from the University of Lagos is a 300 level student of the Department of Radiography, University of Lagos. He is into writing and blogging.

Others are Jennifer Nev, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Tagbo Ijeoma, Federal University Of Technology, Owerri, Imo State; Onyedikachukwu Edeh, Babcock University;  Fadaini Asalewa, Obafemi Awolowo University;  Barakat Tiamiyu, Obafemi Awolowo University;  Queen Jaja, Rivers State University Of Science and Technology;  Ihechi Opara, University of Ibadan; Chisom Anastatia Nwaezuoke, University of Ibadan, Ukododeta Nyerhovwo Maxwell, University of Abuja; Odunewu Oluwasegun, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Vivian Nneka Nwajiaku, University of Lagos; Chukwuemeka Orukwowu, University of Portharcourt and Kachikwu Stephen, University of Portharcourt.
During their one year renewable tenure based on active participation, the ambassadors are expected to develop different initiatives that will be sponsored by the Bank and execute various objectives of the bank over the period. They will also serve as a bridge between the bank, the students and the school authorities.

The selected ambassadors will form a preferred pool for recruitment consideration upon graduation.

BREAKING: Magu, SGF cleared of corruption, Buhari tells Senate

President Muhammadu Buhari has informed the Senate that the Acting Chairman of the Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, have been cleared of corruption charges following an investigation into allegations against them.
Buhari said this in a letter to the Senate re-nominating Magu as Chairman of the EFCC.
In the letter read by Senate President Bukola Saraki, Buhari said Magu and Lawal were cleared of corruption in a report by the Attorney General of the Federation.

Clerics opposing FRCN Act are money launderers – Bakare

 The Serving Overseer of The Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has condemned religious leaders in the nation who are against the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act 2011.

Bakare, who made this known on Sunday during his church service monitored in Lagos, described opponents of the law as lawless.

He said by opposing the law, church leaders were trying to prevent the public from knowing about acts of money laundering that they had indulge in by virtue of their positions.

Pastor Enoch Adeboye had earlier resigned as the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God citing the Act as his reason.

This led to an outcry from church hierarchy and the fallout of the furore was the sack of the Executive Secretary of the FRCN,  Jim Obazee, for enforcing the Act.

But Bakare criticised church leaders for their stance, saying, “I can testify that the law was explained to kingpins in the church, but now you want to get away because you want to cover your iniquity. You won’t get away with it.

“You want to get away because you have laundered money, and you are now trying to cover your yansh”.

Bakare, who is also the Convener of the Save Nigeria Group, praised the law,  saying it was good for order and accountability in the church.

“I am a trained lawyer, I have read the law. The law specifically mentioned Chief Imams and pastors, that they can have lifelong terms. But it says you cannot be chief priest, chief treasurer, and chief administrator.”

He described church leaders who oppose the law as “pentecostal charismatic rascals” who want to do whatever they like even if the law says otherwise.

“You don’t want to comply with the law, then why did you register under the law? It is a spirit of lawlessness and the anti-Christ because the anti-Christ is a lawless spirit.”

Bakare noted that he was being patient and was waiting for the right time to speak officially on the matter, saying “the fact that I am quiet doesn’t mean I am stupid. I don’t fight useless battles”.

Elumelu Leads High Level Team To World Economic Forum In Davos

Philanthropist and serial entrepreneur Tony O. Elumelu, CON leads a delegation of senior executives from his proprietary investment firm, Heirs Holdings, to the World Economic Forum (WEF), which begins in Davos, Switzerland today

 Elumelu will join global business and political leaders during the event, bringing a message of Africa’s continued economic renaissance and of the critical role that Africa’s private sector is playing in the continent’s transformation. Heirs Holdings executives accompanying Elumelu to the Forum include Transcorp Hotels CEO Valentine Ozigbo and the CEO of The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Parminder Vir OBE.

Elumelu attends WEF as both Chairman of Heirs Holdings, whose pan-African interests include financial services, energy, real estate, healthcare, power and agriculture; and as Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation. The meetings will also provide the opportunity to highlight the $100 million entrepreneurship incubator, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. Already, 2,000 African entrepreneurs have benefited from training and seed capital. This year alone, applications for the 3rd cycle of 1,000 places, which closes on 1st March, are expected to exceed 50,000. Given the success and the need to reach an even wider audience, TEF is opening up the opportunity to strategic partnerships to participate and increase access to even more entrepreneurs.

“The massive impact of our Programme so far, proves that it is durable, measurable and scalable,” Elumelu said. “We are already well on our way to accomplishing the goal of catalyzing a new generation of entrepreneurs, and the time has come to scale the programme further to benefit more African each year. We are coming to Davos to seek partners ready to invest in African entrepreneurs, contributing not just time, skills, networks, but also seed capital so that we can scale up and support additional entrepreneurs each year”.

UBA Sends Strong Delegation To World Economic Forum In Davos

 The United Bank for Africa (UBA) will be strongly represented at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which begins in Davos, Switzerland today. UBA CEO Kennedy Uzoka leads a senior executive team, at one of the most important events on the global economic calendar.

 

The UBA delegation will interact with global business and political leaders during the event. The delegation will also include Group Head of Correspondent Banking Sola Yomi-Ajayi and Head of Embassies and Development Organisations( EMDOs), Dupe K. Olusola, responsible for relationships with multilateral and development organisations.

 

UBA has established itself as one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, with presence in 19 African countries, as well as globally in London, New York and Paris.

 

The event will provide a forum for UBA to build engagement with international institutions. Despite the strong economic headwinds across Africa currently, the Group has committed to increasing its pan-African footprint. Its strengths in corporate banking, payment technology, trade finance, and its millions-strong customer base make UBA a natural partner for global businesses focused on the African opportunity.

 

UBA CEO, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka said about the event: “It is critical that UBA join world business and political leaders to discuss issues central to the progress of our world, and with specific relevance to the continent of Africa. UBA is the natural partner for those seeking access to Africa’s business opportunities – we look forward to engaging with the world’s business community – to show that Africa is open to business and that UBA is ready to partner.”

George Bush hospitalised

Former US president George H.W. Bush has been hospitalized yet again in Houston, local media reported Wednesday.

The 92-year-old, who has seen his share of recent health incidents, had fallen ill but was in stable condition and “doing fine,” his chief of staff Jean Becker told the Houston Chronicle.
The former president was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital and is expected to return home in several days, although the reason for his hospitalization was not provided, according to local CBS affiliate KHOU.

The oldest of the four living former US presidents, Bush, who served in office from 1989 to 1993, uses a wheelchair and has seemed frail in recent public appearances.

Bush is the patriarch of one of America’s most prominent political dynasties and is father to former US president George W. Bush (2001-2009) and former Florida governor Jeb Bush, who was a Republican contender in the US presidential primary.
In July 2015, the 41st president was treated in a Maine hospital after falling and breaking a bone in his neck. The previous December, he was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital for breathing problems.
Bush was treated at the same facility in November 2012 for bronchitis, spending nearly two months in the hospital.

United Capital Plc, Societe Generale, Orange, Others Support African SMEs with €77m Fund

 United Capital Plc, a leading African investment banking group, has partnered with global financial and corporate institutions to set up a Franco-African Investment Fund (FFA), with investible funds of 77 million euro. The aim of the fund is to accelerate the growth of innovative and entrepreneurial African and French small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) with development projects on both continents. It is the first cross border investment fund dedicated to the development of African and French SMEs, and will have a lifespan of 10 years.

The agreement to set up the fund was signed in Bamako, Mali on Saturday at the sideline of the Franco African Summit which was witnessed by the Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, French President Francois Hollande amongst other global leaders in the private and public sectors. Bunmi Akinremi, The Deputy Group CEO of United Capital Plc, signed on behalf of United Capital, a limited partner on the French Africa Fund.

Other investors in the Franco-African Investment Fund apart from United Capital include: Societe Generale Orange, BpiFrance, Africinvet, Caisse Nationale de Prevoyance Sociale of CDI, Proparco (AFD), SAHAM from Morocco, Financecom, the pension fund of the Central Bank of Kenya and other private investors in

Beyond financial performance, particular attention will be paid to the positive impact of the Fund’s investments in terms of governance, transparency, job creation, and respect for social and environmental values.

The participation by United Capital is considered symbolic as it portends a strategic inroad into the continent, which would see it play big in an emerging continental economy. According to Akinremi, ‘The French government wants to explore growth markets and Africa has been identified as another area of growth. United Capital is keen to encourage the expansion of economic opportunity for Africa’. The Group Chief Executive Officer Oluwatoyin Sanni explained, “United Capital is committed to expanding its investment horizon and identifying prime opportunities to grow returns for its investors not just in Nigeria but on the African continent. The purpose of the fund aligns with what United Capital seeks to achieve in Africa”

The Fund will be split into half, with 50% to be invested in French SMEs who have interest in doing business in and with Africa and the other 50% will be invested in African SMEs. FFA will invest primarily  in African SMEs with high growth potential in order to create champions of regional and even continental statures.

Beyond capital contribution, the Fund managers will assist French companies to grow in Africa and, conversely, African companies in their growth strategy in France and EuropeKenya.   The fund is sponsored by BpiFrance and Africinvet.

UBA Sends Strong Delegation To World Economic Forum In Davos

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) will be strongly represented at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which begins in Davos, Switzerland today. UBA CEO Kennedy Uzoka leads a senior executive team, at one of the most important events on the global economic calendar.

 

The UBA delegation will interact with global business and political leaders during the event. The delegation will also include Group Head of Correspondent Banking Sola Yomi-Ajayi and Head of Embassies and Development Organisations( EMDOs), Dupe K. Olusola, responsible for relationships with multilateral and development organisations.

 

UBA has established itself as one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, with presence in 19 African countries, as well as globally in London, New York and Paris.

 

The event will provide a forum for UBA to build engagement with international institutions. Despite the strong economic headwinds across Africa currently, the Group has committed to increasing its pan-African footprint. Its strengths in corporate banking, payment technology, trade finance, and its millions-strong customer base make UBA a natural partner for global businesses focused on the African opportunity.

 
UBA CEO, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka said about the event: “It is critical that UBA join world business and political leaders to discuss issues central to the progress of our world, and with specific relevance to the continent of Africa. UBA is the natural partner for those seeking access to Africa’s business opportunities – we look forward to engaging with the world’s business community – to show that Africa is open to business and that UBA is ready to partner.”

Union Bank Launches Elite Banking in Abuja

As part of its commitment to provide a range of personalized banking services to its customers, Union Bank, a leading financial institution, recently launched its Elite Banking Segment for the emerging and established middle class in Abuja.

At the segment launch which took place at Union Bank’s Abuja Main Branch, elated guests and customers of the bank commented on why Union Bank’s Elite Banking Segment represents another innovative service for them in Abuja.

Speaking with news men at the event, Barrister Ikechukwu Oliya, a customer of the bank said
“My experience as a Union Bank customer has been very rewarding.

Union Bank has been in existence for a long time, and it is very satisfying to know that the bank keeps providing useful solutions to its customers’ banking needs.

”With the launch of the segment, the emerging middle class in Nigeria can enjoy benefits and value-added banking services which are usually reserved for high net worth individuals.

Some of these include an Elite Associate or relationship manager dedicated to them, access to exclusive Elite lounges at select Union Bank branches where they can carry out banking privately and priority pass cards which, among other benefits, grants them access to 850 airport VIP lounges around the world.

The Elite Banking Segment also offers benefits such as accounts with zero maintenance fees, higher interest rates, premium discounts on loans, discounts at select local partner stores and an Elite Debit Card which gives customers automatic membership to the MasterCard Platinum program where they can enjoy exclusive lifestyle offers on travel, dining, entertainment and lots more.

Addressing guests at the event, Dayo Odulate, Head, Elite & Royalty Banking, confirmed the bank’s promise to provide customers with access to unique banking services that fit their lifestyle needs.

Professor, four others killed in UNIMAID suicide bombing

Professor and four other persons were killed on Monday when a male suicide bomber detonated a bomb at the Senior Staff Quarters of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

The Chairman of State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Satomi Ahmed, identified the late don as the Director of Veterinary of the University, Prof. Aliyu Usman Mani.
The Commissioner of Police, Damian Chukwu,

Chukwu said that 15 persons, who sustained various degrees of injuries were rushed to hospital.
He said, “At about 5:45 a.m. a mobile police officer who is on duty sighted a suicide bomber who was trying to scale the fence at Gate Five of the university.
“Suspicious of his movement, the mobile police officer instantly gunned him down and his bomb exploded and killed him instantly.
confirmed the incident to newsmen in Maiduguri.

“The second suicide bomber, a seven year-old detonated the second explosive at the senior staff quarters mosque in the university where a professor, and four persons were killed and 15 persons sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to the hospital.”

Ahmed said, “All I can say is to appeal to the people to be vigilant and ensure proper watch because, like we have said, the insurgents are in disarray and employing any tactic to cause havoc.
“The people must be vigilant at all time.”

Prophet Samuel Olabode raises dead baby back to life, says Nigeria will split in 5 years’ time

There is a new wave now in the Christendom; and this is about the fast emergence of a vessel of God, who has been performing wonders right from his adolescence. He is the youthful and very versatile instrument of God, Prophet/ Evangelist Samuel Samiye Olabode (a.k.a JESUSAMIYE), the General Overseer of Angel of Christ Gospel Church, Ibadan, is no doubt one of the leading prophets in Nigeria at the moment. Born into a Christian home, he founded himself in the vineyard of God, since he was a child. He was a very prayerful person before he later launched out with his ministry fully in 2012, after having a dream repeatedly that God was looking for him. His ministry sprang out in full swing with a 14-day crusade, as directed by God; a momentous crusade and convention that which witnessed the convergence of a large turnout of congregation. Surprisingly, he was a Gospel Juju musician then, and his parents weredoubtful if he was going to do well, but God demonstrated himself in the crusade. As a result of this, the Angel of Christ Gospel Church, located at Oremeji Agugu, Ibadan, owned by his late father, Rev. Dr. M.T.K. Olabode, was handed over to him due to his zeal and passion for the work of the ministry, and ever since then, the church has been witnessing what we can label rapid and amazing growth, in terms of worshippers and the verifiable miracles which God has performed through him. Recently, as a way of expanding the church, the energetic prophet just acquired more landed property worth millions of Naira. He systematizes sequence of prophetic crusade programs in Ibadan, Oyo state, which include a TV program on BCOS Television, titled AGBARA AMIYE (Signifying Power of Life) every Sunday; yet another monthly program which shakes the whole of Ibadan, titled Night of Trouble My Trouble, and also a weekly service titled DASOROMI OLUWA (INTERVENE IN MY CASE OH LORD) every Wednesday. He was recently recognized as an Evergreen African Gospel Ambassador. He is one prophet who doesn’t joke with Fasting and Prayer just like the Holy Bible preaches that there is no miracle without fasting and prayer. In 2016, he fasted for 101 days and again he has started another 71 days fasting in the new ensuing year 2017, which all go to show how dedicated and committed he is to the work of God. It was even reported that during his last monthly crusade, a dead child was brought to the altar of God. The said child was said to have seized breath on the mother’s back and when the sensible mother noticed the unusual heaviness of the child on her back, she realized the child had passed out, that is cold dead and without much ado thewoman swiftly took the body to the prophet of God. It was this scenario that made people really know why God gave Papa JESUSAMIYE as name, meaning (Jesus the Living Emblem). It took the man of God to strike the altar Bible on the dead child‘s abdominal section and instantaneously the dead child excreted, and life came back to the empty body; the boy still lives as a testimony of Prophet Olabode’s efficacy as a willing tool in the hand of God. The whole of ancient city of Ibadan went agog with this occurrence as it became a din of the market in all households. He just returned from South Africa, where he ministered in a number of churches. Reports have it that the ministration was so prophetic and powerful that the several congregations were unwilling to let him go. As a Prophet, he is known for his timely and accurate prophecies. During the last general elections in America conducted few months ago, he made it known that God was bringing the helms of power to the church and that Donald Trump was going to be the President, which later turned out to be accurate and dead on target.Furthermore, he has also made a Prophecy that Nigeria will split within five years from now and that Biafra won’t be the first to leave, but the Hausas. He made this known while speaking to journalists during one of his weekly programs; he stretched further on how God had shown him this vision, there won’t be any major conflict in Nigeria for this to materialize, it would only be like a diminutive riot and before we know it the deed would have been done.

Why We Arrested Sahara Reporters Publisher —- Police

The Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has been released by the Police in Lagos State.
Sowore, who was arrested on Wednesday evening, was released late same day, but with a proviso that he reports back to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti on Thursday.
According to the police, Sowore was arrested based on a petition by another publisher, Lekan Fatodu, who accused him of defamation and blackmail.
A statement by the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, said: “Today, 11/1/2017 at about 15:39hrs, a distress call was received by the Lagos State Police Command that Mr Omoyele Sowore – Publisher of Sahara Reporters was being attacked by suspected hoodlums around Isaac John street, GRA ikeja.
“The police swiftly responded, and upon arrival at the scene contrary to the report that a robbery attack was taking place, the police met the duo of Mr Omoyele Sowore and Mr Lekan Fatodu engaged in a brawl/altercation. With a view to ascertaining what led to the false alarm of a robbery, both parties were taken before the Commissioner of Police.
“In the course of police intervention, it was found out that the brawl is in connection with an earlier complaint of alleged threat to life, defamation of character and blackmail made by Lekan against Omoyele. Both parties were subsequently referred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti where the case has been under investigation.”
Sowore, in his own account of the incident, alleged bias by the police.
He said: “I was physically attacked today by a gang led by Lekan Fatodu… he assaulted me before police officers at Area F in Ikeja in Lagos.
“After the police intervened soon as I was attacked by Lekan Fatodu and his friends in Lagos, we were taken to the CP’s office in Lagos.Turns out he was in on this, he pulled out a supposed petition written by Lekan from his hat after that he became very hostile towards me and ordered that we be driven to State CID, at Panti in Lagos.
“It is very obvious that this was planned between Lekan Fatodu and the police. They offered him unbridled support as he continued attacking me.”

BREAKING: Senate rejects ban on importation of cars through land borders

The Senate has called for the reversal of the Federal Government’s policy banning the importation of cars through land borders.
The ban took effect from January 1, 2017.
According to the Senate, the ban will lead to a loss of 500,000 jobs.
The lawmakers, who heavily criticised the policy during the plenary on Wednesday, described the ban as anti-poor.
The issue was brought through a a motion titled, ‘The Ban on the Importation of Vehicles Through the Land Borders into the Country’, jointly moved by Senators Barau Jibrin (Kano North), Kabiru Gaya (Kano South), Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North), Shehu Sani (Kadana Central) and Ali Wakili (Bauchi South).
The lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected the policy, while asking Nigeria Customs Service to immediately suspend implementation of the policy.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, specifically urged President Muhammadu Buhari to listen to the cries of Nigerians and reverse the policy.
Ekweremadu said, “From the contributions made, it is obvious that the policy is unpopular. We are representatives of the people and the people have spoken through us that they do not want this policy. I think those in government should listen to them.”
The Senate also directed its Committee on Customs and Excise to investigate the circumstances that led to the sudden decision of the Federal Government to place a ban on importation of vehicles through the land borders.More lawmakers who took their turns to speak on the policy condemned it.

BREAKING: Pastor Adeboye retires as General Overseer of RCCG, Obayemi named successor

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has retired as the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
Just last year, the church slammed those calling for the 74-year-old to retire as head of RCCG.
Pastor Johnson Odesola, Special Assistant to Pastor Adeboye on Administration and Personnel, said at the time that the church’s constitution did not state that anyone above 70 years should not lead the ministry.

He said: “Whereas the constitution provided that the deputy and assistant general overseers are appointed to retire at 70 and enjoy their retirement benefits for life, there is no such provision for the general overseer.”
Pastor J.O. Obayemi has been named as Adeboye’s successor.
Obayemi was a deputy in charge of Finance and a member of governing council, before his appointment.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has retired.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/breaking-pastor-adeboye-retires-general-overseer-rccg/

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has retired.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/breaking-pastor-adeboye-retires-general-overseer-rccg/

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has retired.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/breaking-pastor-adeboye-retires-general-overseer-rccg/

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has retired.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/breaking-pastor-adeboye-retires-general-overseer-rccg/

Janet Jackson gives birth to first child at 50

The That's The Way Love Goes hitmaker and her husband Wissam Al Mana welcomed their son Eissa Al Mana into the world on Tuesday.

'Janet Jackson and husband Wissam Al Mana are thrilled to welcome their new son Eissa Al Mana into the world. Janet had a stress-free healthy delivery and is resting comfortably,' her representative told People magazine in a statement.

The 50-year-old star has kept out of the spotlight during her pregnancy but did take to social media in late November to insist she was 'doing well'.

She shared at the time: 'Hey you guys.. It's been awhile.. but I'm still listening.. I feel your love and prayers.. Thank you.. and I'm doing well.'

Janet confirmed her pregnancy in October but had reportedly been plagued with bad morning sickness.

A source shared: 'Janet is super excited. She's doing great. Janet feels really strong and is just so excited for the baby to come. She feels like this is one of the best things ever to happen to her. She is doing OK and resting until she is due. She is aware of complications, but as of now doctors say she is OK ...

'Her support system is extremely strong. She is taking things easy these days and is feeling well but not overdoing it in any capacity of her life. Janet is staying healthy for her and her baby. She's been praying for a child for a very long time. She's already in the process of thinking of baby names.'

And Janet's older brother Jermaine thinks she will be a perfect mother to her son.

Speaking before the birth, he shared: 'She'll be a great mother because she is very tough, very strict. But I tell her, 'If you need any parenting skills or baby skills, let me know because I'm the best diaper changer there is on this planet, still to this day.''

Veteran Yoruba actress, Toyin Majekodunmi, is dead

The Yoruba movie industry has recorded its first death of 2017 as one of its own, Toyin Majekodunmi, died on Monday.
The veteran actress, popularly known as Iya Kike in Yoruba movie circles, died on Monday.
The cause of her death is not yet officially announced.
Married to a fellow actor, Solomon Majekodunmi aka ‘Baba Kekere’, the news of her death was shared by actress and movie producer, Bimbo Success.
Repeated calls to her husband were not answered, but a top Yoruba actress cum producer, Bose Alao, who is close to the couple, told PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone chat that her death was health-related.
The late Mrs. Majekodunmi featured in numerous Yoruba movies and often starred alongside her husband.
Prior to launching her movie career, she worked with the Lagos State Ministry of Information for many years.
Her husband also worked in the international banking division at First Bank Plc.

A delight on stage and in movies, the late actress was married for 37 years and was blessed with three children – two daughters and a son.
Her colleagues and fans alike have taken to social media to eulogise the late movie star.