Black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday evening, signalling an inconclusive first vote by cardinals locked in the Sistine Chapel in a conclave to elect a new pope to guide the Roman Catholic Church.

Thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square waiting for smoke to pour from a narrow flue on the roof of the chapel at the end of a day rich in ritual and pageantry, with prelates praying for divine guidance in their secret ballot.

The crowds had to be patient as it took longer than expected for the smoke to appear, more than three hours after the start of the conclave. This was an hour more than it took for smoke to be seen after the first vote in the 2013 conclave that picked the late Pope Francis.

When a pope is chosen, white smoke will emerge, but this had not been expected on Wednesday – a pontiff has not been picked on the first day of a conclave in modern times.

However, some cardinals said this week that they hoped to wrap things up by Thursday or Friday to show the Church can remain unified after the often divisive, 12-year papacy of Francis, who died last month.

The 133 cardinal electors, who are all aged under 80, will spend the night secluded in one of two Vatican guesthouses – where they can continue their deliberations in a more informal setting before returning to the chapel on Thursday morning.

Following Wednesday’s single round of voting, the red-hatted “princes of the Church” will hold two votes in the morning session and two in the afternoon, continuing in coming days until one man has secured a majority of at least two-thirds – 89 cardinals this time around.

Their only communication with the outside world will be the smoke from the chimney as they burn their completed ballot papers mixed with special chemicals – black when a voting session ends with no result, white when a pontiff is elected.

Modern papal conclaves are typically short. The 2013 conclave lasted just two days, likewise in 2005 when his predecessor, Benedict XVI, was picked.

In recent days, cardinals have offered different assessments of what they are looking for in the next pontiff who will lead the 1.4-billion-member Church.

While some have called for continuity with Francis’ vision of greater openness and reform, others have said they want to turn the clock back and embrace old traditions. Many have indicated they want a more predictable, measured pontificate.

‘GOOD OF THE CHURCH’
In a sermon ahead of the conclave, Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who at 91 is too old to take part in the vote, told his fellow prelates they must set aside “every personal consideration” in choosing the new pontiff and keep in mind “only … the good of the Church and of humanity”.

He also suggested the next pope had to respect diversity within the Church. “Unity does not mean uniformity, but a firm and profound communion in diversity,” he said.

Some ultra-conservatives had branded Francis as a heretic, accusing him of being too welcoming to the LGBT community, too accommodating to Protestants and Muslims and too open on a range of topics, including offering communion for the divorced.

No clear favourite has emerged, although Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle are considered the front-runners.

However, if it quickly becomes obvious that neither can win, votes are likely to shift to other contenders, with the electors possibly coalescing around geography, doctrinal affinity or common languages.

Among other potential candidates are France’s Jean-Marc Aveline, Hungary’s Peter Erdo, American Robert Prevost and Italy’s Pierbattista Pizzaballa.

A record 133 cardinals from 70 countries entered the Sistine Chapel, up from 115 from 48 nations in the last conclave in 2013 – growth that reflects efforts by Francis during his 12-year reign to extend the geographical reach of the Church.

Among their considerations will be whether they should seek a pope from the global South where congregations are growing, as they did in 2013 with Francis, from Argentina, or hand back the reins to Europe, or even pick a first U.S. pope.

Latin chants and organ music accompanied the cardinals as they processed into the frescoed Sistine Chapel before the conclave began, with Michelangelo’s depiction of Christ delivering the Last Judgment dominating the 500-year-old room.

They laid their hands on the Gospels, taking a vow of secrecy not to divulge anything about their gathering.

Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Vatican’s master of ceremonies, then pronounced the Latin command “Extra omnes!” (Everyone out!) telling those not involved in the gathering to leave the room, with the chapel’s heavy wooden doors slamming shut on the outside world.

There is not meant to be any discussion in the voting sessions but past experience suggests there will be plenty of covert campaigning during breaks and meals as the names of “papabili” rise and fall in successive ballots.

The Police Command in Edo says it has rescued 37 kidnapped victims, including the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Esan West Local Government Area, in a series of daring operations across the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, disclosed this in Benin on Wednesday during a press briefing to showcase his achievements within 30 days of assumption of duty in Edo.

According to him, the victims were rescued without the payment of ransom through coordinated intelligence-led operations.

Agbonika said that the PDP chairman, abducted on April 15 while working on his farm in Emu Forest, was rescued on May 7 after days of intense pursuit by the police and allied security agencies.

”These 37 rescues are a direct result of collaborative bush-combing operations involving the military, Air Force, civil defence, local hunters, and vigilantes,” he said.

The police boss also said that within his first 30 days in office, the command had recovered 25 firearms, including two AK-47 rifles, and arrested 12 suspected kidnappers and 95 robbery suspects.

Other items recovered, he said, include 165 rounds of live ammunition, a Mercedes-Benz GLK 300, a Toyota Hilux truck, a Toyota Highlander, motorcycles, and ₦115,000 cash.

The commissioner emphasised that community engagements and stakeholders’ collaboration remained central to the command’s approach in addressing insecurity.

On farmer-herder tensions in parts of the state, Agbonika admitted that the situation was delicate but manageable, stressing the need for deliberate efforts to rebuild trust between farmers and pastoralists.

”We are reforming the vigilante structure to ensure that local security outfits operate only within their communities and with proper oversight,” he said.

He also cautioned against the illegal possession of firearms, warning that all unauthorised weapons would be confiscated, regardless of the bearer’s status.

He commended the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Gov. Monday Okpebholo for their continued support, assuring residents that the command would not relent until all criminal networks in Edo were dismantled.

(NAN)

Tomato Ebola is dealing a painful blow to Nigeria’s food supply, causing over N1.3 billion in crop losses across Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna states. The pest, officially called Tuta absoluta, has earned its deadly nickname from farmers because of how quickly it destroys tomato crops—within just 48 hours.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, raised the alarm during a training workshop for banks and lenders in Abuja. The workshop was organised by HortiNigeria in partnership with NIRSAL Plc, the government’s agriculture-focused lending system.

Due to the outbreak, the price of a 50kg basket of tomatoes has tripled. What sold for N5,000 now costs N15,000 to N30,000, putting enormous strain on family budgets and pushing food inflation higher. The rising prices are already being felt at homes, restaurants, and roadside food stalls.

“Tomatoes and peppers are in nearly every Nigerian meal,” Kyari explained. “When their prices spike, it affects every part of the food chain.”

According to the minister, the 2024 data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that tomatoes led the food price index with a shocking 320% year-on-year increase. Peppers followed close behind.

Kyari said the outbreak shows how weak the country’s horticulture system still is. “This crisis reminds us that we must act fast. We need better pest control, stronger tomato varieties, and direct support for our farmers,” he warned.

He called for more investment in integrated pest management, improved seeds, and resilient farming techniques. Without these, Nigeria risks facing even deeper food shortages.

Horticulture, the growing of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers, may be one of the country’s most underrated solutions to its food crisis. Kyari described it as a “sleeping giant” in Nigerian agriculture.

With proper support, he said horticulture could bring more jobs, improved nutrition, and higher income for farmers. Unlike staple crops like rice or maize, vegetables like tomatoes grow faster and bring more money per hectare. This makes them perfect for small farmers trying to earn more in shorter periods.

Kyari stressed that horticulture has huge potential for job creation, especially for women and young people. It also connects well to other industries—like food packaging, retail sales, and exports.

“In urban areas, horticulture brings fresh food closer to the people,” he said. “With irrigation and greenhouse systems, it also offers a way to farm smartly in a changing climate.”

He noted that tomatoes, cucumbers, citrus, pineapples, and plantains have massive demand in Nigerian markets. These crops, he said, are no longer just household items but are quickly becoming important commercial products.

Fruits and vegetables are not just food. They are packed with vitamins A and C, iron, zinc, and folate—all vital for keeping children healthy, helping pregnant women, and preventing diseases. Kyari said that growing more of these crops at affordable prices could help Nigeria fight malnutrition.

He also urged banks to take a closer look at the horticulture value chain. From seed planting to the final sale, each stage needs a different type of funding. But too often, lenders offer one-size-fits-all loans that don’t fit real farming needs.

“We need banks to offer loans that match the growing cycles,” Kyari said. He suggested seasonal loans, equipment leasing, invoice financing, and trade credits as some examples.

He said horticulture isn’t just a farming activity—it’s a full business ecosystem. It offers high returns and can lift entire communities out of poverty if managed well.

“By funding horticulture, you’re not just financing crops,” Kyari told the banks. “You are financing jobs, health, and Nigeria’s future.”

To fix the system, Kyari believes that government, financial institutions, private investors, and farmers must work together. Without teamwork, Nigeria’s food challenges will only get worse.

He urged banks to look beyond just giving out money and instead build smart lending systems that truly support farmers. “Understand the crops, understand the seasons, and build financial tools that help, not hurt,” he said.

For Nigeria, Tomato Ebola is not just a pest problem. It’s a wake-up call. The country needs urgent reforms in the way it grows, protects, and funds food production—especially in vegetables.

Horticulture may not get the spotlight like rice or wheat, but it is one of Nigeria’s best chances to reduce hunger, lower food prices, and boost jobs. With the right policies and investments, this quiet sector could transform Nigeria’s entire food system.

Kyari ended his speech with a hopeful message: “Together, we can unlock the power of horticulture to nourish our people, build wealth and drive sustainable growth. If we invest right, we’re not just planting crops—we’re planting a stronger Nigeria.”