Cuba Ambassador visits Alimosho Council boss, "We shall not impose our ideas on Alimosho" - Cuba Ambassador

THE Ambassador of Cuba, Her Excellency Mrs Clara Pulido, paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of Alimosho Local Government, Hon Jelili Sulaimon, at his office today.

It is said the motive behind the visit is to congratulate the Chairman on his re-election and to tighten the ties between her Cuba and the Government of Alimosho. 

The visit, the first of its kind at the Local Government executive arm of government in Lagos State, as observed, provided an opportunity to discuss serious matters relating to Cuba and the Alimosho Local Government. 

Recall that Hon. Jelili Sulaimon, during his first term in office, made some progressive efforts by requesting the assistance of the government of Cuba through her former Ambassador on some pressing community development issues. Though Jelili's requests were well received and objectively weighed by the Cuban Embassy, no proper action could be taken due to the pandemic.

During the Ambassador's visit today, the Local Government Chairman restates these needs thus:

1. Widening areas of opportunities in the treatment of children, pregnant women and the elderly, introduction and importation of highly subsidized diagnostic equipment, laboratory materials, and other facilities, creation of a seamless knowledge transfer from Cuba in innovations and technology.

Also restated are the need for the joint establishment of a medical equipment assembly laboratory, training of Alimosho LG staff by Cuban medical specialists, and inclusion of Alimosho LGA in the foreign health mission of the Cuban government.

Jelili Sulaimon (left) and the Ambassador of Cuba, Her Excellency Mrs Clara Pulido

In her response, the Cuba Ambassador stated clearly that as much as many of the needs stated are within reach, the Cuban government will prefer to discuss with the Mayor and reach common ground on how the contributions will be implemented. "We shall not impose our ideas and plans on Alimosho people, despite being the financier or the facilitator", she said.

She added that she will like to meet the Chairman again when they will further discuss and concretise the relationship in order to truly meet the expectations of the government of the day and the good people of Alimosho.

In the end, the Vice-Chairman, Alimosho Local Government, Hon Ibrahim Akinpelu Johnson, on behalf of the Council management, appreciated the Ambassador for responding to the people's call and demand that areas not mentioned by the Chairman in which the Cuba government can help should also be considered. 

Also present at the visitation is Snr Comr Abiodun Aremu - a renowned activist who came alongside the Ambassador as a display of support to the government of Cuba.

Others include the party representatives led by APC Alimosho caretaker committee Chairman, Hon Tosin Fatoki, the Community Development Committee (CDC) - Alimosho, led by Chief Aluko and other Council Management staff.