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BREAKING: FG Approves 4 Airlines For 2025 Hajj Operation

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BREAKING: FG Approves 4 Airlines For 2025 Hajj Operation—-The Federal Government has approved four airlines as official air carriers to transport intending pilgrims for the 2025 hajj pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Executive Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Usman, made this known in a statement by the commission’s Assistant Director, Information and Publication, Mrs Fatima Usara, on Sunday in Abuja.

Usman explained that the four airlines were selected out of the 11 companies that submitted applications to transport Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Muslims pilgrimage.

According to Usman, the four approved airlines are Air Peace Ltd., Fly-Nas, a Saudi Arabia designated airline, Max Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Ltd.

The NAHCON boss stated that the airlines were screened and shortlisted by a team of 32 members that were inaugurated by the NAHCON on Nov. 26, 2024.

He said that the composition of the Aviation Screening Committee included representatives from State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, three members from Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and one member each from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

He also said that some members of the committee were drawn from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

Similarly, Prof. Usman said that one member each was drawn from Nigerian Customs’ Service (NCS) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

Others, he listed, were NAHCON Board members representing each geo-political zone of the country, NAHCON Heads of Aviation, Procurement, Legal, Internal Audit, Special Duties as well as Board Member representing the Aviation industry.

The NAHCON boss also disclosed that three excess cargo carriers were selected for the hajj operations.

He named them to include; Aglow Aviation Support Services Ltd, Cargozeal Technology Ltd and Qualla Investment Ltd.,

The Chairman, who congratulated the successful companies, urged them to fulfill their responsibilities as promised during the screening.

Meanwhile, Prof. Usman signed the 2025 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on behalf of the Nigerian Government.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was represented by the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Abdulfatah Masahat, at the signing ceremony.

The event was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to formalise this year’s Hajj engagements.

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BREAKING: Manchester City Agree £125m Deal to Sign Enzo Fernández From Chelsea On Deadline Day

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BREAKING: Manchester City Agree £125m Deal to Sign Enzo Fernández From Chelsea On Deadline Day—-Cityzens have reached a British record-equalling agreement with Chelsea for the Argentina international on Deadline Day, with Fernández set to undergo his medical.

Manchester City have agreed a £125 million deal with Chelsea to sign Enzo Fernández in one of the biggest transfers of Deadline Day.

The agreement, reported by Sky Sports and other leading outlets, will see the Argentina international leave Stamford Bridge for the Etihad Stadium in a move that matches the British transfer record previously set by Liverpool’s £125m signing of Alexander Isak.

Fernández is expected to undergo his medical before completing the transfer, with City working against the clock to finalise the deal before the summer transfer window closes.

Maresca Reunites With Fernández

The move will see Fernández reunite with Enzo Maresca, who previously coached him at Chelsea and is now Manchester City’s manager.

Maresca is understood to have been a major driving force behind City’s pursuit of the midfielder as he looks to reshape his squad and strengthen the centre of midfield.

Fernández played an important role during Maresca’s time at Stamford Bridge, helping Chelsea win major silverware before the Italian manager’s move to Manchester.

Chelsea Accept Record Fee

Chelsea signed Fernández from Benfica in January 2023 for approximately £107 million, making him one of the most expensive players in Premier League history at the time.

Just over three years later, Chelsea have agreed to sell the 25-year-old for £125 million, representing a significant return on their original investment.

The Argentine had recently been left out of Chelsea’s squad for successive matches, increasing speculation that his Stamford Bridge future was coming to an end.

City Make Deadline-Day Statement

Manchester City had been pursuing Fernández for much of the summer, but negotiations intensified dramatically as the transfer deadline approached.

Chelsea had previously valued their midfielder at around £120 million and had initially expected him to remain at the club after an earlier deadline for bids passed without a formal offer. However, City’s interest never disappeared, and the two clubs eventually found an agreement on Deadline Day.

The final £125 million package now puts Fernández level with the British transfer record.

Fernández Begins New Chapter

For Fernández, the transfer brings an end to a turbulent period at Chelsea and opens a new chapter under a manager he already knows.

The World Cup-winning midfielder arrived in England with enormous expectations after starring for Argentina and Benfica.

At Manchester City, he will be expected to become a central figure in Maresca’s midfield and help the club compete on multiple fronts.

A Record-Breaking Transfer

The £125 million agreement places Fernández among the most expensive players in football history and makes the Deadline Day transfer one of the biggest stories of the summer window.

City are now racing to complete the remaining formalities, including the medical, before the deadline.

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BREAKING: Leo Messi Announces Retirement From International Football After 21-Year Argentina Career

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BREAKING: Leo Messi Announces Retirement From International Football After 21-Year Argentina Career—-Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player has called time on his international career after guiding the nation to the 2022 World Cup title and the 2026 final.

Argentina football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing the curtain down on an extraordinary 21-year career with the national team.

The 39-year-old confirmed his decision on Monday through an emotional statement posted on Instagram, saying he had reached a point where he felt there was “nothing more to give” and that a new generation of Argentine players deserved an opportunity.

Messi’s announcement comes weeks after Argentina reached the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, where they were defeated by Spain. He had captained his country throughout the tournament and remained one of Argentina’s most influential players.

A Difficult Decision for Argentina’s Greatest

Messi admitted that walking away from the national team was an extremely painful decision.

The Argentine icon revealed that he had already written his retirement message on July 21, two days after the World Cup final, but did not immediately make the decision public.

The recent death of his father, Jorge Messi, earlier in August further strengthened his resolve to step away from international football.

Messi said he had always given everything to Argentina and believed the time had come to allow younger players to take over.

A Record-Breaking International Career

Messi leaves the Argentina national team as the country’s most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer, having made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals.

His international career finally brought the major trophies that had once appeared out of reach.

After heartbreaking defeats in major finals, Messi eventually led Argentina to the 2021 Copa América, followed by the 2022 Finalissima and, most importantly, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

He also helped Argentina reach the 2026 World Cup final, giving him another memorable chapter in the national team’s history.

The End of an Era

Messi made his Argentina senior debut in 2005, beginning a journey that would span more than two decades.

He endured criticism and disappointment early in his international career, particularly after Argentina’s defeats in major finals. But his persistence ultimately transformed his relationship with the national team and its supporters.

The World Cup triumph in Qatar cemented his status as an Argentine football legend, while his record-breaking statistics placed him among the greatest international players in football history.

Messi Says He Will Support Argentina From Outside

Although his playing days with Argentina are over, Messi made it clear that his love for the national team has not changed.

He said he would now support the team as a fan, cheering them on through the good times and the difficult moments.

His departure leaves Argentina without the player who has been at the centre of its football identity for more than 20 years.

For a generation of supporters, the sight of Messi wearing Argentina’s famous No. 10 shirt will now belong to history.

Lionel Messi leaves international football with 207 caps, 125 goals, a World Cup title, two Copa América titles and an extraordinary legacy as one of Argentina’s greatest-ever footballers.

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