More Photos From Muna Ibiekwe's Burial

Late actor, Muna Ibiekwe was laid to rest today, at his hometown, Umudioka in Anambra state.

Here are some pictures from the burial.

Prince James Uche Was Never Neglected By Nollywood - AGN Speaks

Recently, there have been media report that Nollywood actor, Prince James Uche who was once vice president of Actors Guild Of Nigeria(AGN), was abandoned by the guild and suffering from heart disease and kidney failure.

Reacting to the reports, AGN national president, Ibinabo Fiberesima on Tuesday, released a statement.

See it after cut....

The National Executive Council of the Actors Guild of Nigeria would like to react to the story make the rounds especially in the social media that AGN has abandoned Actor, Prince James Uche.

The Guild took over the responsibility of Prince James Uche in September 2013, when we got the information about his health issue. The National President visited him and he refused to be taken to hospital or go on the health plan of the Guild. That he wanted cash. N100,000 was given to him.

In May 2014, we visited him again to check on him and this is what followed. We took him to R. Jolad Hospital Gbagada, Lagos State; comprehensive tests were conducted and were diagnosed of complications arising from HBP/Hypertension which led to stroke of the eye.

He was admitted and well treated at the hospital for over a week before he was certified well and discharged by the doctor.

After that, we took him to Eye Foundation for further optical treatment. Series of tests were conducted on him and was diagnosed of complications arising from the primary ailment of HBP/hypertension. 

 The medical team discovered that the eye vessel that supplies blood to the eyes was damaged as a result of a stroke he suffered many years ago, and nothing could be done.

It was then recommend that he keeps the blood pressure low at all times to avoid further complications which could lead to total blindness.

To ensure he gets regular medication for the HBP, the Guild enrolled him on our Health Plan, HMO which we domiciled at R.Jolad Hospital Gbadaga close to his place of abode.

We equally obtained a dietary guide to help curtail the high blood pressure.

On May 26, 2014 during the first year anniversary of Lagos State Chapter, we presented a cheque covering two years rent to his agent in presence of all members of Lagos State Chapter.

The President, Chief Ibinabo Fiberesima also approved pocket money allowance as well as food items for him.

Between June 2014 December 2014, the Guild has been in constant touch with Prince James Uche and he has never told us of any kidney ailment neither did all the tests conducted on him both at R.Jolad Hospital and Eye Foundation Hospital indicate any sign of kidney problem.

During the medical expedition, Prince Uche told us that his church took him for dialysis three times and they found no problem with his kidney.

Much as we would not like to join issues or publicize any assistance offered to our members, we sincerely wish to set the records straight that Actors Guild of Nigeria did not neglect Prince James Uche. We have done everything humanly possible to assist Prince James Uche. If anyone wants to assist feel free.

If you want any clarifications please call the Secretary of the Guild on 08033029401. Also you can visit the National Secretariat at 17 Ajao rd. off Olufemi st, off Ogunlana drive, Surulere

We remain committed to the welfare of our members which is top most priority on the National President’s program.

THANK YOU

IBINABO FIBERESIMA

NATIONAL PRESIDENT 

Photo: BBA Tayo Faniran Acquires Range Rover SUV

Ex Big Brother Africa Hotshots housemate, Tayo Faniran has just bought a car and he took to Instagram to share the news with his fans.

Check it out after the cut...

Congrats to him!

Photos From Late Muna Ibiekwe's Burial

Late Actor, Muna Obiekwe was laid to rest this morning, at his Hometown, Umudioka in Anambra State.

May His Gentle Sould Rest in Perfect Peace!

Muna died on Sunday, January 18, 2015 due to a kidney related illness. A candle light procession held on Saturday.

He is survived by two children.

See pics after the cut...

Nollywood Prince James Uche Battling With Heart Disease, In Need Of Assistance

Nollywood actor, Prince James Uche, who was once a vice president of AGN, has been issued with a quick notice to leave his Gbagada home despite the fact that he is currently battling with an undisclosed heart disease and kidney failure, which has kept him away from the screens for 8 years. 

His wife is said to have abandoned him few years ago with their 3 children.

James now spends most of his time in his church, Our Lady the Queen of Peace Catholic Church near his home. He revealed his sickness started since 2007;
"Something struck me on the left side of my face about eight years ago, when I was heading for the burial ceremony of Pete Edochie’s mother at Nteje in Anambra State.

“I got to the venue of the ceremony and stayed in the town for two days. On the third day, I suddenly found that I could no longer move my body freely. Although I barely managed to get up on my feet, I could not climb up the staircase.

“I had to wait till the following Sunday before deciding to leave for Lagos. But my friend, Edoche, persuaded me to follow him to Enugu where he lived at the time. I slept in Enugu on that day. In the morning I went for treatment in a hospital.

“After the doctor had finished examining me, he stared at me with his mouth half open in shock for a long time.

"When I asked what was wrong, he said I should have been dead. He took my pulse again and then, sweating, said my blood pressure was abnormally high. He said it had risen up to 300 and it was a miracle that I was still alive.”
According to reports, Uche’s health has continually deteriorated over the past years. Aside battling from the heart disease, he is also slowly losing his memory and sight.

As if to worsen it, he is also suffering from kidney problem. His kidney is said to not function properly and there is fear it it might be completely destroyed. He was lucky to be helped by church members who paid for his diagnosis five times in 2013. But now it is in dare need of medical attention.
Uche is really looking emaciated and financial support is mainly coming from the church. This is very sad. Fans are already pleading with the AGN president, top notch movie stars, and good Nigerians to help him so that we don’t lose another star like we recently did.

I Will Never Forgive Buhari For Killing My Brother In His Prime – Nkem Owoh(Osofia)

With the general elections drawing close and growing attention being paid to the military regime of APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, new fact has emerged that unknown to many, Bartholomew, the elder brother of Nollywood actor, Nkem Owoh was killed during the military regime of the retired general. 

According to Breaking Times, an unnamed source who did not want his name in print revealed that the then 26-year old Bartholomew was among three people – including 30-year old Lawal Ojuolape and 29-year old Bernard Ogedengbe – who were notoriously killed by firing squad on allegations of drug trafficking.

The widely condemned killing of the trio in 1985 was criticized because General Buhari back-dated a decree stipulating death sentence for drug trafficking offenders, whereas the alleged crime was committed before he came into power. Buhari changed the law just to kill the three young men.

According to the source, Osuofia and the rest of his family are yet to come to terms with the public execution of their son and sibling, especially.

The source said: “Nkem Owoh and his family are so distraught with Buhari for killing their brother at the young age of 26. Every time he sees Buhari on TV, he weeps bitterly over his brother. He can’t even believe that Buhari has the nerve to seek re-election as President.”

Rita Dominic Lists GEJ's Achievements; Reasons Why She Will Vote For Him Again

Nollywood actress Rita Dominic and GEJ campaign team yesterday sent out this press release to endorse Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for reelection.

Rita Dominic said she is voting for Jonathan again because he has a long list of achievement not recognized by the media. The movie star said Jonathan signed Freedom of information bill into law and allowed women into power. Rita further said she believes Goodluck Jonathan will tackle the issue of security in the next four years without any assistance.

The press statement reads:

I have followed the 2015 election with keen interest and have deduced that this is definitely a critical vote in Nigeria’s young democratic history. As a result I feel that this is not a time to keep silent in the face of the trials and tribulations we face as citizens of Nigeria.

First and foremost, I would love to make a passionate appeal to my beloved fans and generality of Nigerians by saying that by God’s grace, there will be life after the elections have come and gone. We should not destroy relationships or in some extreme cases resort to violence because our choices of candidates differ. I have noticed that there seems to be so much intolerance for the views and choices of others, which has resulted in cyber bullying and intimidation. Voting is a constitutional right and a matter of personal choice and it is important that we respect this.

That said I would like to let everyone know that I will be voting for President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice- President Namadi Sambo on February 14, 2015. I have outlined some of the major reasons for my vote in a short video titled “I will vote again” directed by Mildred Okwo below.

Rita Dominic’s endorsement message sent to the media by Gej Till 2019 

Celine Dion & Pastor Enoch Adeboye Tops List Of 'Most Admired 2015' In Nigeria[Full List]

While UN ambassordor and Oscar-winning star, Angelina Jolie tops list of most admired woman in the world, in a poll conducted by YouGov in over 23 countries, Music star, Celine Dion was voted as most admired woman in Nigeria.

The list, which shows 10 admired men and 10 admired women, features only 3 Nigerians on the list – Redeemed Christian Church of God General Overseer Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Business mogul Aliko Dangote and Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan.

Check out the pictorial list for the World & for Nigeria below.

Explaining how they arrived at the list, YouGov said;

‘In December YouGov gathered open-ended nominations from panellists across 34 countries, asking them simply: “Thinking about people alive in the world today, which [man or woman] do you most admire?” These nominations were then used to compile a list of the 25 men and 25 women who received the most nominations and were nominated in at least 2 countries. An additional 5 popular local figures were added to the lists for individual countries. In January, 23 of the 34 countries were polled again in representative* surveys, where respondents were asked two questions: “who do you truly admire?”, where they could make multiple selections, and “who do you MOST admire?”, where they could pick only one. These two numbers were then combined into the score (displayed to the right of each name above.) By asking respondents those two questions, we can understand both the breadth (i.e. global reach) and the intensity of a person’s support, which we regard as both important measures. Altogether, we polled in countries that constitute nearly two-thirds of the world’s population. However, some parts of the world were better represented than others, so we weighted up the impact certain countries had on the final scores and weighted down others so the global scores more accurately reflect the breakdown of sentiment in the world overall.’

Checkout These 'Then And Now' Photos Of Amber Rose

That's Amber Rose for you. First photos was taken years ago, before her fame while second photo is what she looks like right now. 

Wao, epic transformation! 

Hip-hop Mogul, Suge Knight Charged With Murder Over Hit-And-Run

Former hip-hop mogul Marion 'Suge' Knight has been charged with murder and attempted murder after he ran two men over in his truck.

Prosecutors claim the Death Row record label founder deliberately struck a friend - who died - and another man after an argument on a movie set.

Defence attorney James Blatt says Knight, who handed himself in to police, ran the pair over by accident as he tried to escape a vicious attack.

The 49-year-old's initial bail of $2m (£1.3m) was revoked after a court commissioner agreed with authorities that he was a potential flight risk and could intimidate witnesses.

Knight, who was out on bail in a separate robbery case when the men were hit, is scheduled to appear in court in Compton to be arraigned on four felony counts.

Terrible! Abandoned Day-old Baby Dies after Lagos Crowd Gathered to Take Pics But No one Saved Him

Last Wednesday, January 28, a new-born baby was dumped by the roadside in the Abule Egba area of Lagos by a mentally unstable woman.

An eyewitness and trader, Mrs. Atanda Kuforiji, told Punch Newspapers that they (residents) were taken aback by the sight of the abandoned baby.

“The baby was wrapped in a sack and placed by the roadside. I saw a crowd gather and decided to have a look; the child was still alive. People took pictures of the baby. His mouth was covered with a plaster to prevent him crying out. Everybody was saying what came into their heads, but nobody offered to help the baby,” she said.

It was learnt that many of the dwellers in the area were too scared to pick the baby from where he was dumped.

Another trader, Iya Monsura, who also spoke to Punch newspaper said “The child was alive as of 11am, but when government officials came around 5pm, he was dead. They took the dead body away.”

Jonathan receives long-awaited audit report on missing $20bn oil money

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday, received the report of the forensic investigation he ordered into the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Jonathan had ordered the investigation in March last year, following allegations of missing funds from the corporation’s accounts made by former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and now Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi.

The firm engaged for the job, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, has concluded its assignment and, led by its country Senior Partner, Uyi Akpata, presented its report to the president at the State House, Abuja, with Jonathan promising that he would get experts to look at it as quickly as possible.

Akpata told the president that “it is a privilege for us to have carried this exercise out on behalf of the government and I hope that you will find this report useful.”

Receiving the voluminous document, President Jonathan acknowledged the controversy which surrounded the accounts of the NNPC, saying that Nigerians were eager to know the exact position.

Oscars Only Reward Blacks Playing “Subservient” Roles - David Oyelowo

British actor of Nigerian descent,David Oyelowo snubbed by the Oscars for his praised performance as Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma, has called out the larger problem of black actors and actresses being ignored when they aren’t in “subservient” roles. 

The star made his comments at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

“Generally speaking, we as black people have been celebrated more for when we are subservient,when we are not being leaders or kings or being at the center of our own narrative, driving it forward,” explained Oyelowo. “To me, Denzel Washington should have won for playing Malcolm X.” 

“We’ve just got to come to the point whereby there isn’t a self-fulfilling prophecy, a notion of who black people are, that feeds into what we are celebrated as, not just in the Academy, but in life generally. We have been slaves, we have been domestic servants, we have been criminals, we have been all of those things. But we’ve been leaders, we’ve been kings, we’ve been those who changed the world.” 

Kim Kardashian Naked Butt Photo From Love Magazine Leaks Online – SEE PIC

A new photo of Kim Kardashian smoking a cigarette with her naked butt up in the air has leaked online. 

The picture of her behind, set to be featured next week inside the pages of Love magazine, is taken from an entirely different angle than you’ve most likely seen it before. Check it out after the cut....

Yakubu Aiyegbeni signs for English club, Reading

Reading have confirmed the arrival of striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who has penned a deal until the end of the season.

The former Super Eagles player will take squad number 20 and will be hoping to bring his wealth of experience to the Championship side.

Aiyegbeni is the highest scoring African player ever in English football with 114, even more than Chelsea’ Didier Drogba (107).

Manager Steve Clarke said: “An experienced goalscorer, Yakubu brings a fantastic scoring record to this club and his addition will complement the strikers we’ve already got at Reading and help us to improve as a team in latter stages of the season.

“I know all about him as a player and I have heard very good reports about him as a personality in the dressing room. He is no-risk signing for us and I look forward to him scoring goals for Reading Football Club.”

The 32-year-old, who has previously played for Blackburn Rovers, Everton and Middlesbrough, joins as a free agent.

Dancing With Girls from Nigeria Made Me Realize I Really Suck at Dancing - Amber Rose

American diva, Amber Rose hosted the just concluded D'banj's 10th Anniversary kickoff party, which held in Lagos.

The model and video vixen, must have had fun at the show, as she tried to learn the popular "Shoki" dance moves. 

Dancing with Girls from Nigeria made me realize I really suck at dancing’ she tweeted.

 

I am not scared of debates – Buhari

APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday, said he is not scared and would not shy away from media debate. 

Instead, he would make himself available like he has done in previous elections. 

APC added that Buhari would not shy away from explaining his policy plan on how to rebuild Nigeria Nigeria from the abyss of insecurity, comatose economy, decaying infrastructure, massive unemployment and poor public health situation.

A statement issued by the director of media and publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mallam Garba Shehu, maintained that the APC presidential candidate “is ever ready to address any issue put before him” contrary to insinuations by spokesperson of PDP campaign organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.

Fire Gut Rivers State High Court, Documents Burnt

The Rivers State High Court at Degema, Degema Local Government Area earlier today was engulfed by fire in the early hours of the morning.

The cause of the inferno is yet to be ascertained but eyewitnesses said it started around 4am. Almost all parts of the building including many documents were destroyed in the fire, which started barely 48 hours after the directive from the JUSUN to judiciary workers to resume duties.

But Punch is reporting that it was a bomb blast, and not a fire incident.

Details to come....

Chimamanda Adichie speaks on poor state of power in Nigeria (READ)

Article written by award-winning writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, first published on the New York Times.

We call it light; “electricity” is too sterile a word, and “power” too stiff, for this Nigerian phenomenon that can buoy spirits and smother dreams. Whenever I have been away from home for a while, my first question upon returning is always: “How has light been?” The response, from my gateman, comes in mournful degrees of a head shake. Bad. Very bad. 

The quality is as poor as the supply: Light bulbs dim like tired, resentful candles. Robust fans slow to a sluggish limp. Air-conditioners bleat and groan andmake sounds they were not made to make, their halfhearted cooling leaving the air clammy. In this assault of low voltage, the compressor of an air-conditioner suffers — the compressor is its heart, and it is an expensive heart to replace. Once, my guest room air-conditioner caught fire. The room still bears the scars, the narrow lines between floor tiles smoke-stained black. 

Sometimes the light goes off and on and off and on, and bulbs suddenly brighten as if jerked awake, before dimming again. Things spark and snap. A curl of smoke rises from the water heater. I feel myself at the mercy of febrile malignant powers, and I rush to pull my laptop plug out of the wall. Later, electricians are summoned and they diagnose the problem with the ease of a long acquaintance. The current is too high or too low, never quite right. A wire has melted. Another compressor will need to be replaced. 

For succor, I turn to my generator, that large Buddha in a concrete shed near the front gate. It comes awake with a muted confident hum, and the difference in effect is so obvious it briefly startles: Light bulbs become brilliant and air-conditioners crisply cool.

The generator is electricity as electricity should be. It is also the repository of a peculiar psychology of Nigerian light: the lifting of mood. The generator is lord of my compound. Every month, two men filled with mysterious knowledge come to minister to it with potions and filters. Once, it stopped working and I panicked. The two men blamed dirty diesel, the sludgy, slow, expensive liquid wreathed in conspiracy theories. (We don’t have regular electricity, some say, because of the political influence of diesel importers.) Now, before my gateman feeds the diesel into the generator, he strains it through a cloth and cleans out bits of dirt. The generator swallows liters and liters of diesel. Each time I count out cash to buy yet another jerrycan full, my throat tightens. 

 I spend more on diesel than on food.

My particular misfortune is working from home. I do not have a corporate office to escape to, where the electricity is magically paid for. My ideal of open windows and fresh, breathable air is impossible in Lagos’s seething heat. (Leaving Lagos is not an option. I love living here, where Nigeria’s energy and initiative are concentrated, where Nigerians bring their biggest dreams.) To try to cut costs — sustainably, I imagine — I buy an inverter. Its silvery, boxlike batteries make a corner of the kitchen look like a physics lab.

The inverter’s batteries charge while there is light, storing energy that can be used later, but therein lies the problem: The device requires electricity to be able to give electricity. And it is fragile, helpless in the face of the water pump and microwave. Finally, I buy a second generator, a small, noisy machine, inelegant and scrappy. It uses petrol, which is cheaper than diesel, and can power lights and fans and freezers but only one air-conditioner, and so I move my writing desk from my study to my bedroom, to consolidate cool air. 

Day after day, I awkwardly navigate between my sources of light, the big generator for family gatherings, the inverter for cooler nights, the small generator for daytime work.

Like other privileged Nigerians who can afford to, I have become a reluctant libertarian, providing my own electricity, participating in a precarious frontier spirit. But millions of Nigerians do not have this choice. They depend on the malnourished supply from their electricity companies. 

 In 2005, a law was passed to begin privatizing the generation and distribution of electricity, and ostensibly to revamp the old system rooted in bureaucratic rot. Ten years on, little has changed. Most of the companies that produce electricity from gas and hydro sources, and all of the distribution companies that serve customers, are now privately owned. But the link between them — the transmission company — is still owned by the federal government.

I cannot help but wonder how many medical catastrophes have occurred in public hospitals because of “no light,” how much agricultural produce has gone to waste, how many students forced to study in stuffy, hot air have failed exams, how many small businesses have foundered. What greatness have we lost, what brilliance stillborn? I wonder, too, how differently our national character might have been shaped, had we been a nation with children who took light for granted, instead of a nation whose toddlers learn to squeal with pleasure at the infrequent lighting of a bulb.

As we prepare for elections next month, amid severe security concerns, this remains an essential and poignant need: a government that will create the environment for steady and stable electricity, and the simple luxury of a monthly bill. 

This is the difference between APC and PDP – Gov. Fashola explains

Speaking during an APC meeting with organized private sector at Marina, Lagos today February 2nd, Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola, told his audience the difference between APC & PDP.

“The manifesto of the APC is designed to address 2015 problems going on to 2019 while PDP has is a 1999 manifesto and that probably explains the disconnect between our realities and the realities that you hear. The transformation that has been put forth has headed south not west. The Naira has weakened, interest rates has come up and it is for us to chose whether we want four more years of that and the Naira is essential in a free fall in an economy that is currently import denominated and it would only mean that the purchasing power of our disposable income would continue to reduce.” he said.

The necessity of now is to halt that free fall. That is something we cannot vote continuity on. I will not. But more importantly as the candidate, Gen Buhari, has said, it is essentially not how much really Nigeria earns, it is what value we get out of that money. If we had sold crude oil, our major income earner for like almost 5-6 years at over a $100 per barrel and all of us are saying there is pain, do we want to continue now when there is reduced income with the same team on the same management capacity. If they couldn’t do topnotch at $100 per barrel, can we trust them to do more with less?” he added. 

Teenage Boy Found in Tyre Compartment Of A Plane In Lagos

Teenager, Samuel Ogundeyi, suspected to be a stowaway was arrested in the tyre compartment of an aircraft parked in the hangar of ExecuJet terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, on Sunday.

Punch Newspaper reports that the teenager was discovered at about 12 noon when pilots of the aircraft marked M-MYNA, were carrying out a routine inspection on the aircraft before starting the engine. The commanding pilot was said to have found the boy in the tyre compartment of the aircraft.The suspect also had in his possession two handsets without SIM cards which he claimed were his.
Following his arrest, the teenager claimed he had entered the hangar through the facility of the Headquarters, Air Defence Corps of the Nigerian Air Force located next to the Presidential/ VIP Lounge in the airport on Saturday night with the help of a person he identified only as ‘a brother.’

The boy, who spoke in Yoruba and pidgin English languages, said he was able to cross the L18 runway over to ExecuJet facility located in the international wing of the airport, a distance of about one kilometre, at night when he noticed there was no flight landing or taking off on the runway.

The aircraft operated by Tag Aviation was said to have flown in a former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Dan Etete, into Lagos airport on Saturday night and parked at the private hangar, where it was expected to take off on Sunday afternoon before the incident happened.

Photos: Peter and Lola Okoye Go On A Boat Cruise With Friends

After burying his dad over the weekend, Peter Okoye decided to take a break and unwind with his wife Lola. The beautiful couple took a boat cruise together with friends.

See more pics after the cut....

Man Commits Suicide By Hanging Himself In Lagos

A certain young man has committed suicide by hanging himself in an uncompleted building in Lawal Unity Street, Meiran, Ile-Iwe community in the Meiran area of Lagos State

He took his life on Thursday morning after sneaking into the building in the night of Wednesday.

Eyewitnesses told Punch Metro that the victim was brought down dead from the rope with which he hung himself. Efforts by the people in the community and the police to identify him had proved abortive.

A community leader, Samuel Oroja, said the traditional ruler of the community had been informed of the development and plans were on to conduct rites to forestall a recurrence.

“I have called some other elders, including the traditional ruler, to notify them so that we can know what to do about the corpse.

“Nobody knows the man or where he came from. We have reported the matter at the Meiran Police Station.

“What we will do now is to prepare rites and make sacrifices to forestall a recurrence of unnatural death like this because this is a bad sign for the community, he added"

However the Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Nwosu, said the police have identified the victim as Mosunmola Raphael, a 28-year-old man.

 “His relatives came to identify him and they said he had mental problem. His corpse has been released to the family after they presented some documents.”

My Name has been dragged through the mud more than once & every time i pick it up and wash it Off - Alex Ekubo

Nollywood actor and model,  Alex Ekubo took to his Instagram few hours ago, to send a message to haters with a picture of himself.

"The Difference between you & I, is that I’m built for This!! I’ve dealt with my demons. I’ve been Broke, Paid, Lied to, Taken Advantage of, Cheated On, Hungry & Full. My Name has been dragged through the mud more than once & every time i pick it up and wash it Off !! I’ve come a Long way & still have a Long way to go. Want you to know that your opinion don’t Offend Me…#StillSMILING #StillSTANDING #StilliRISE

Photos: Meet the woman who hasn’t smiled in 40 years - Explains why

Meet Tess, a 50-year-old woman, who works as a cook instructor for a vegetable produce company and has not broken into a smile for the past 40yrs.

Although she's not devoid of humor, the last time she smiled was when she was 10 years old.

Not even the birth of her daughter, was emotional enough to make her smile. 

According to DailyMail, she always sit stone-faced while her friends giggle around her.

Tess says maintaining a perennial poker face, is a crucial way to keeping her - admittedly, impressive - youthful looks. 

By the time Tess who divorced in 1998 reached 40, she realized that while friends had developed lines around their mouths, her face was wrinkle-free. 

It’s not as if I’m miserable. I love life. I just don’t feel the need to show it by walking around with a rictus grin on my face.

“If I did smile I developed big hamster cheeks that made me look deranged. I looked up to old-school Hollywood icons such as Marlene Dietrich for inspiration; she never smiled and I loved the way she shouldered glamorously.

 “When I found something funny or I was tempted to laugh — which happened on a daily basis — I learned to control my facial muscles by holding them rigid. The corners of my mouth might go up a little, but I never looked anything other than faintly amused. Friends knew I was fun to be around, so it wasn’t an issue.”

“It dawned on me that I looked younger because I’d spent my life not smiling. My friends have nicknamed me Mona Lisa, after the da Vinci painting. ‘Mona Lisa was said to have been quietly amused, as am I. I just won’t show it. Recently, an interior designer friend was telling me how a Spanish client kept referring to the department store John Lewis as “Juan Lewis”. I found it hilarious, but kept a straight face. I never crack.’

The men she dates, often ask her to smile.

“I assure them it’s not because I’m not interested,” she says. “My pet hate is men who call out, “Cheer up, love, it might never happen,” ’ in the street. ‘I wouldn’t dream of criticising their appearance.

Scores Killed As Military Repel Boko Haram Attack In Borno

SCORES of people were, on Sunday, killed in Maiduguri, when a combined efforts of army, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police and volunteer youths, popularly known as Civilian JTF successfully repelled an attempt by the Boko Haram terrorists to invade Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. 

According to reports, the Boko Haram terrorists, who came through Molai village, outskirts of the city, forced a lot of residents of the area to flee.

A resident of the area, Mallam Garba Molai, said they were told by the soldier in the area to flee the area, as all the soldiers took position and engaged the terrorists in a fierce battle.

He said people were killed, including civilians with more casualties on the side of the insurgents, as the combined efforts of the military, civilian JTF and SARS, assisted by aerial bombardment by the Nigerian Air Force, successfully repelled them.

 “Many insurgents were killed, including some civilian casualties, while two artilleries, vehicles, motorcycles and other armories were recovered.Many people had fled the area, except a few of us assisting the security operatives.”