Former Super Eagles defender Mobi Okparaku has welcomed the decision to hand Eric Chelle a new contract, insisting the Franco-Malian coach now has the time needed to build a stable and competitive national team.

Okparaku believes continuity is exactly what the Super Eagles require after the disappointment of missing back-to-back FIFA World Cups.

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“Eric Chelle now has the opportunity to build something special for Nigeria,” Okparaku said.

The former international explained that extending the coach’s contract will allow him to fully implement his football philosophy while assembling a squad capable of challenging for major honours.

According to Okparaku, rebuilding a successful national team takes patience, and changing coaches too frequently only disrupts progress.

“This gives him the chance to fine-tune his ideas, solve the team’s problems and build a squad that can compete for trophies,” he added.

Okparaku stressed that stability on the bench is one of the key ingredients for sustained success in international football.

He believes Chelle now has the platform to identify new talents, strengthen the squad and establish a clear playing identity for the Super Eagles.

“Continuity is what this team needs if Nigeria wants a brighter future,” he stated.

The former defender expressed confidence that, with adequate support from the Nigeria Football Federation, Chelle can build a Super Eagles side capable of challenging for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and securing qualification for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

The Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) has disbursed N339 billion to states since its establishment in 2014, with N235 billion released in the last three years, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has said.

Mr Pate said the increased funding reflects intensified investments in primary healthcare and has accelerated access to essential health services across the country.

He spoke on Friday in Abuja after chairing the 15th Expanded Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting on the implementation of the BHCPF and other health sector reforms.

“In the last 12 years of BHCPF, N339 billion was disbursed to states, out of which N235 billion was disbursed only in the last three years,’ he said.

“This shows the intensification of the effort to expand Primary Health Care (PHC) under this administration,” he said.

Mr Pate said the committee approved N32.88 billion as the second-quarter 2026 BHCPF disbursement to sustain healthcare services nationwide.

He added that the committee also approved modalities for the inclusion of private-sector representatives on the Ministerial Oversight Committee to strengthen stakeholder participation in health sector governance.

Primary healthcare expansion

According to the minister, more than 8,000 PHCs across the 36 states continue to receive funding through the BHCPF gateways.

He said the funds are channelled through primary healthcare agencies, health insurance authorities, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and emergency medical services.

Mr Pate added that assessments are underway to increase the number of supported facilities from more than 8,000 to 17,600 nationwide.

He also said the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has upgraded more than 3,000 PHCs at different stages across the country.

Emergency care and disease preparedness

Mr Pate said the investments had resulted in increased utilisation of healthcare services and expansion of emergency medical treatment nationwide.

According to him, 35 states have established emergency medical service structures, while the remaining two still rely on federal institutions for emergency response.

He said more than 130,000 Nigerians have benefited from emergency medical services financed through the BHCPF.

The minister added that the NCDC has continued to support states in strengthening disease surveillance, outbreak detection, and emergency response through the fund.

He disclosed that the federal government has approved disbursements to all 36 states to strengthen preparedness against Ebola Virus Disease following recent developments in parts of Africa.

Improving health indicators

Mr Pate said preliminary results from the 2026 Mini Demographic and Health Survey (Mini-DHS) indicate improvements in several key health indicators since the National Health Sector Renewal Initiative began.

According to him, the survey recorded improvements in antenatal care attendance, skilled birth attendance, contraceptive use, immunisation coverage, child health and HIV services.

“The purpose was to see if we are making progress, and we are glad to see that there is progress. It means we have to double down,” he said.

He added that health insurance enrolment has increased from about 15 million beneficiaries at the start of the current administration to more than 22 million, with over six million Nigerians newly enrolled in the past three years.

Maternal and newborn health

The minister said more than 48,000 women have received free comprehensive emergency obstetric care funded by the federal government through 237 participating health facilities nationwide.

He said many beneficiaries would have struggled to pay for life-saving interventions, including caesarean sections.

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Mr Pate also disclosed that the government’s Free Fistula Programme has provided surgical repairs for more than 4,771 women, who have also been rehabilitated and reintegrated into society after treatment.

In addition, he said more than 2,900 newborns have benefited from the federal government’s neonatal health programme.

Mr Pate reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to strengthening accountability, improving coordination and ensuring the efficient use of health resources to advance Universal Health Coverage.

(NAN)