Black smoke billowed from a chimney over the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel for a second day Thursday as cardinals meeting in conclave once again failed to choose a new pope.
Thousands of the faithful and curious were awaiting the smoke in St Peter’s Square on the morning of the second day of secret voting by the 133 cardinal electors.
More details later…
The Director of Public Communications, Lagos Catholic Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godono, on Thursday confirmed that the 133 Cardinal-electors for the new Pope would return to the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope after their first ballot on Wednesday failed to produce a new Pope.
Godono, spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria described the process as flawless as the cardinals decisions were being directed by the Holy Spirit.
The Lagos archdiocesan communications director, spoke on the process, said that after the first ballot, no Pope elected that the trend has been for centuries.
“Today, May 8, the Cardinal-electors will return this morning to continue with voting until a Pope is elected. The Cardinals are expected to have two rounds of votes this morning and two more in the evening if we do not have a Pope elected in this morning’s session.
“Black smoke emanated from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel yesterday evening, indicating no new pope was elected during the first round of voting.
“One hundred and thirty-three red-robed cardinals from around the world have filed into the Sistine Chapel to the strains of a choir backed by organ music, and the doors were sealed behind them.
“The papal conclave — a centuries-old tradition to elect a new head of the Catholic Church,” he said.
He said that the announcement of a new pope will be made with white smoke billowing from the Apostolic Palace. Soon after, the new pope will emerge onto the balcony to greet his flock.
The cardinal electors faced a stark choice to select a pope who would follow in the footsteps of late Pope Francis, an Argentine reformer who advocated for migrants and the environment, or one who would guide the Catholic Church down a more traditional path.
NAN reports that the meticulous selection process has kept the world in suspense for weeks after the demise of Pope Francis
Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has dismissed recent criticism accusing him of de-marketing Nigeria, saying truth-telling about the country’s challenges is essential to national growth.
Obi, in a post on X on Thursday, said his remarks about Nigeria’s economic and political realities are meant to strengthen, not tarnish, the country’s image.
Although he did not mention names, Obi’s comments come a week after Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu accused him of speaking negatively about Nigeria abroad.
“I tried reminding those who argue that I de-marketed Nigeria by telling the truth about its economic and social status vis-à-vis the rest of the World that truth does not in any way demarket a nation,” he said.
He added, “Rather, it refines and strengthens it. But the moment we begin to weaponise the truth for political convenience, we dishonour the legacy of those who came before us. We betray the very essence of their sacrifices, their struggles, their hopes, and their dreams.”
Obi spoke after attending the memorial lecture in honour of elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, alongside former President Goodluck Jonathan and ex-Head of State Yakubu Gowon.
In his address, the former Anambra State governor questioned the silence of once-vocal critics who had protested fuel and food price hikes under Jonathan, saying the situation has worsened today.
He stated, “I asked some very vital rhetorical and reflective questions, like what has suddenly happened to the protesting voices in this country, where are those who, in 2012/13, protested vigorously when increases in fuel, exchange rate, food and transport prices were moderate and manageable under President Jonathan.
“Where are those who called President Jonathan all sorts of names, “Clueless, corrupt, ineffective and lifeless government”? Where are they now that the Prices of everything have increased tenfold?”
Obi also decried Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, poverty and institutional decay.
“We are also losing innocent lives daily through insecurity, poverty, poor healthcare, and avoidable hardship. This is not the Nigeria our founding heroes envisioned.
“We must not reduce their sacrifices to mere ceremonial tributes. The best way to honour Chief Edwin Clark and others like him is to restore integrity in governance, rebuild trust in our public institutions, and ensure that truth and justice are the foundations of our national journey.
“Nigeria must work for all Nigerians, not just for a privileged few,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu had, in a statement on Monday, April 28, accused Obi of making “disparaging” comments about Nigeria during his recent appearance at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.
The Lagos governor said prominent Nigerians travelling abroad should promote the country’s image rather than de-market it, especially in front of a global audience.
The Imo State Police Command has demoted a sergeant, Anayo Ekezie for assaulting a road traveller using a smoke gunner along the Owerri-Aba Expressway.
The Command also announced the reprimand of two Police Inspectors, Ofem Obongha and Obinna Okereke, for failing to exercise supervisory control during the incident which occurred along the Owerri-Aba highway.
Police spokesperson for Imo State Command, DSP Henry Okoye made the disclosure on Wednesday night.
According to him, the three men all attached to the Safer Highway unit were found guilty of breach of the Police Force code of conduct and human rights standards.
He said Anayo Ekezie was found guilty and was demoted from a Sergeant to a Corporal as punishment for his action, while the other two Inspectors were reprimanded for failing to exercise appropriate supervision.
Okoye said, “The Imo State Police Command, in response to a viral video showing police officers assaulting a man along the Owerri–Aba Road, has identified the officers involved and initiated disciplinary action. The officers are Inspector Ofem Obongha, Inspector Obinna Okereke, and Sergeant Anayo Ekezie, all from the Safer Highway Unit.
“Following a review of the video, the Command conducted an orderly room trial in line with Nigeria Police Force disciplinary procedures. Sergeant Anayo Ekezie was found guilty of using his issued smoke gunner in the assault and has been demoted to the rank of Corporal.
“Inspectors Obongha and Okereke were severely reprimanded for failing to exercise proper supervisory control, which allowed the unprofessional conduct to occur, ” Okoye said.
On his part, the Commissioner of Police for Imo State, Aboki Danjuma condemned the action of the men which he said ran foul of the Force’s code of conduct and human rights standards.
Danjuma maintained that there was zero tolerance for police misconduct and promised appropriate action on those found guilty.
Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command has called on the public to report any incidents of Police misconduct through the Complaints Response Unit (CRU), X-Squad unit, or via 08033424051 or 0814 802 4755 saying they are committed to transparency, professionalism, and protecting citizens’ rights.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order for a three-day truce with Ukraine took effect Thursday, a move the Kremlin said would test Kyiv’s readiness for peace but that Ukraine has slammed as a farce.
It was not clear whether either side was observing the ceasefire, even with world leaders — including China’s Xi Jinping, Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Serbia’s Aleksandar Vucic — in Moscow for commemorations of the end of World War II.
It appeared relatively quiet overnight, though Ukraine’s military said early Thursday that Russian forces had launched air strikes in the eastern Sumy region. Kyiv did not report any damage or casualties.
Putin unilaterally ordered the temporary truce to coincide with Moscow’s Victory Day parade on Friday.
Ukraine never agreed to the proposal, has dismissed it as theatrics and called instead for a 30-day ceasefire.
US President Donald Trump has sought to end Moscow’s three-year military assault on Ukraine since his inauguration in January, but has failed to ease hostilities between the enemies.
Hours before Putin’s order was scheduled to enter force, Moscow and Kyiv staged aerial attacks, prompting airport closures in Russia and leaving at least two dead in Ukraine.
Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod airport in the west was closed for about one-and-a-half hours early Thursday “to ensure flight safety of civil aircraft”, according to a Federal Air Transport Agency spokesperson.
The Kremlin has said Russian forces will honour Putin’s order for the duration of the holiday period, but will respond “immediately” if attacked.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his call for a 30-day ceasefire in his evening address on Wednesday.
“We are not withdrawing this proposal, which could give diplomacy a chance. But the world is not seeing any response from Russia,” he said.
– Push for direct talks –
Putin announced the truce last month, calling it a “humanitarian” gesture, after pressure from the United States to halt Russia’s assault on Ukraine.
Putin rejected a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for an unconditional ceasefire in March.
Ukraine has said it does not believe Russia will adhere to the truce and accused Moscow of hundreds of violations during a previous, 30-hour ceasefire Putin ordered for Easter.
Russia, which launched a full-scale military offensive on Ukraine in 2022, fired over 100 drones and multiple ballistic missiles at its neighbour between late Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, killing a mother and her son, Kyiv said.
The White House has become increasingly frustrated at the lack of progress towards a peace deal between the warring sides, despite Trump’s efforts.
US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday called on the two to enter direct talks.
– ‘Peaceful atmosphere’ –
Russia marks Victory Day with a grand parade of military equipment on Red Square and an address from Putin.
More than 20 world leaders were expected in Moscow for the May 9 parade.
“Our military and special services are taking all necessary measures to ensure that the celebration of the great victory takes place in a calm, stable and peaceful atmosphere,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
He also said authorities had jammed internet connections ahead of the parade, citing the threat from Ukraine.
“As long as guests are here, until May 10, we need to be ready for restrictions,” he added.
Russian forces occupy one-fifth of Ukraine, and this spring hit the country with a string of deadly attacks on civilian areas.
– ‘Nothing scares us’ –
Russians from outside Moscow visiting the heavily policed capital on Wednesday ahead of the parade appeared unfazed.
“We are from Rostov-on-Don. Nothing scares us,” said 22-year-old student Valeria Pavlova. The southern city serves as a command and logistics hub for the Ukraine offensive and has regularly been targeted.
“It’s much calmer here,” she added.
But scenes at airports in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and other cities were more chaotic on Wednesday.
Ukraine launched a barrage of drones at Russia earlier in the day, forcing airports to halt traffic. Around 60,000 people’s flights were disrupted, according to Moscow.
Kyiv’s drone attacks disrupted about 350 flights Tuesday and Wednesday, Russia’s Association of Tour Operators said.
Social media videos showed people sleeping on the floor and airports with rows of over a dozen planes queuing on the tarmac.
Ukraine’s airspace has been forced to close since Russia launched its offensive in February 2022.
AFP
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned against the covert establishment of a one-party system in Nigeria, cautioning that such a move could destabilise the nation’s fragile democracy.
Speaking at a memorial lecture held in honour of the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, in Abuja on Wednesday, Jonathan emphasised the dangers of political manipulation aimed at sidelining opposition parties.
The former President noted that while countries like Tanzania practise a one-party system, it was properly planned for, stressing that Nigeria’s complex ethnic, religious, and political landscape necessitates a more inclusive political framework.
“Yes, a one-party state may not be evil after all, because Julius Nyerere of Tanzania used a one-party state to stabilise his country in the early days of independence.
“He felt that the country, just like Nigeria, had too many tribes and tongues, and two principal religions—Christianity and Islam. If we allow multiple parties, some may follow religious lines, others tribal, and unity will be difficult. But it was properly planned; it was not by accident.
“If we must, as a nation, adopt a one-party system, then it must be designed, planned by experts—and we must know what we are getting into. But if we arrive at it through the back door by political manipulations, then we are heading for a crisis,” he said
Jonathan’s remarks come amid growing concerns about the shrinking space for opposition politics, with an increasing number of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress and complaints from civil society about creeping authoritarianism.
He also urged Clark’s family to institute an annual memorial lecture in honour of the late nationalist, saying it would help sustain his vision for a united, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria.
Also speaking at the event, Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, lamented that the sacrifices made by Nigeria’s founding fathers and nationalists like Edwin Clark were “already in vain”.
“The labour of our heroes past is already in vain.
“The state of insecurity, poverty in rural communities, and the rising cost of living have all betrayed their sacrifices,” Obi said.
In his remarks, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, who chaired the occasion, reiterated the importance of unity in the country, noting that “Nigeria can only make progress when national interest is placed above personal ambition.”
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Popular social media activist, Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, has secured release from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
His release was confirmed on Wednesday by his legal counsel, Deji Adeyanju, who simply told our correspondent, “He has been released.”
Otse has been in EFCC custody since Friday, May 2, following his arrest over multiple petitions alleging serious financial crimes.
The EFCC, in a statement on Tuesday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, disclosed that the controversial online figure was granted administrative bail but remained in custody pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions at the time.
Oyewale stated that Otse was invited for questioning multiple times through known addresses and communication channels but failed to honour the invitations, prompting the commission to secure a lawful remand order for his arrest.
“The EFCC has a lawful right to hold Otse in custody like any other suspect being investigated by the Commission. He has been offered an administrative bail and would be released after fulfilling all the bail conditions,” the agency said.
His arrest sparked widespread protests, with a large crowd storming the Guaranty Trust Bank headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
Chanting “#FreeVDM” and holding placards with messages like “Activism is not a sin” and “VDM is the masses’ liberator,” demonstrators accused the authorities of targeting Otse for his outspoken criticism of public figures and institutions.
Some protesters also drove through the city in solidarity, amplifying calls for his immediate release.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has demanded adequate maintenance for the state’s firefighting equipment and vehicles to prolong their lifespan.
Adeleke also disclosed plans to buy at least one fire truck for each of the 9 Federal Constituencies in the state at the commissioning of three newly bought fire trucks in Osogbo on Wednesday.
He recalled that the last procurement of fire trucks for the state had occurred over 14 years back, saying the situation made him channel more resources towards an overhaul of the state firefighting facilities and vehicles.
On some of the steps he took to correct the situation he inherited regarding the firefighting facilities in the state, Adeleke said, “Today, I am proud to announce that this administration has taken decisive steps to revive the Osun State Fire Service. We have so far procured seven (7) modern fire trucks and one (1) water tanker to significantly boost our emergency response capacity.
“In addition, we have supplied essential firefighting equipment, including protective gear to ensure our brave officers are well-equipped, well-prepared, and adequately protected in the line of duty. We have also prioritised the training of our fire officers so they can respond to emergencies with professionalism and efficiency.
“The commissioning of these additional three (3) fire trucks underscores our administration’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property. These assets will greatly improve the responsiveness and efficiency of our fire service, giving our citizens peace of mind and renewed confidence in the system.”
On the maintenance of the trucks, the governor said, “Beyond procurement, I must emphasise the importance of proper management and regular maintenance of these fire trucks. These trucks must be kept in optimal condition to ensure their longevity and reliability.
“As such, I am directing the Hon. Commissioner for Home Affairs and the leadership of the Osun State Fire Service to establish a comprehensive maintenance schedule and accountability framework to ensure that these vital assets continue to serve our people effectively and without interruption.”
Earlier, Osun State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Abdulrosheed Aderigbigbe, said despite paucity of funds facing the state, Adeleke administration had so far procured at least one fire truck for 7 Federal Constituencies out of 9 in the state.
Noting that Adeleke had not only provided fire trucks, Aderibigbe further said the governor had also procured firefighting equipment and accessories, including protective gadgets to safeguard the firefighters, regular training and retraining of firefighters.
“Hence, all these provisions have tremendously improved our response capacity and capability to fire incidents and emergencies in order to ensure the protection of lives and properties in the State. At this juncture, we at the Ministry of Home Affairs applaud your leadership and commitment to keeping our citizens safe,” Aderibigbe said.
Public health researcher and advocate, Doyin Olatunji, has raised the alarm over Nigeria’s poor maternal health insurance coverage, calling it a “silent crisis claiming the lives of thousands of women annually.”
Olatunji, who leads the Maternal Health Insurance Advocacy campaign under the Non-Governmental Organisation, The Public Health Place, said the lack of affordable and accessible health insurance for women is both a public health emergency and a national shame.
Over the past two months, Olatunji and a team of 50 volunteers embarked on a nationwide advocacy and data-gathering campaign aimed at uncovering the real-life consequences of inadequate maternal health coverage. The campaign, tagged MHIA, revealed heartbreaking stories of women forced to choose between healthcare and household survival, often with fatal consequences.
According to the MHIA campaign findings, only a small percentage of Nigerian women are enrolled in any form of health insurance.
This leaves a majority to navigate pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum complications without financial protection. The result, Olatunji said, is a tragic cycle of preventable deaths and deepening poverty.
“In our outreach, we encountered women who delayed hospital visits during pregnancy due to fear of bills, and others who were turned away from clinics because they couldn’t pay,” Olatunji told our correspondent on Wednesday.
“This is not just about insurance—it’s about survival, dignity, and justice for Nigerian mothers. Many women told us they don’t understand how insurance works or believe it won’t help them. This is a gap that education can fix, just like we saw during the COVID-19 public awareness efforts.
“We are not asking for luxury; we are demanding the basics. Maternal insurance should be as common and accessible as mosquito nets or malaria drugs. Women shouldn’t fear getting pregnant because they can’t afford to survive it.”
Olatunji and her team are now urging the government to implement several key reforms: the creation of low-cost, flexible insurance packages tailored for reproductive-age women; comprehensive education campaigns on health insurance; and investment in community-based insurance models that consider cultural and economic realities.
The MHIA team is also advocating for policy changes that ensure coverage includes postpartum care and high-risk pregnancies. They argue that true maternal care must go beyond delivery to encompass the full spectrum of a woman’s reproductive health journey.
Although the data collection phase of the MHIA campaign has ended, Olatunji said the advocacy will continue, adding, “We’re preparing to take our findings to federal and state lawmakers, health ministries, and HMO stakeholders. Our goal is to turn research into reform.
The campaign encourages Nigerians to engage with the ongoing conversation via @ThePublicHealthPlace and the hashtag #MHIAForMothers. As Olatunji puts it, “This is not just a health issue—it’s a human rights issue. And the time to act is now.”
