As she joined the centenarian club yesterday, Nellie Jagdeo aka Mama Nellie credited prayer as the secret to her longevity.

The Social Development Ministry visited her yesterday at the Paradise Retreat Senior Citizens Home in Longdenville.

She also pointed to gardening, love for God and a close relationship with family and friends as key to her long life.

Ms Jagdeo is a mother of four, including the late Wayne Jagdeo of parang group Los Alumnos De San Juan and is grandmother of 20, great-grandmother to 21 and has one great-great-grandchild.