NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- In the midst of an intense 2016 race for the White House, former President Bill Clinton passed through New Haven, Connecticut to rally presidential campaign support for his wife, democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton. During his visit to the Elm City, a Nigerian attorney Ebiere Awudu, who was recently awarded a Newman’s Own Foundation Fellowship in May 2015, spoke one-on-one with President Clinton.
Awudu seized the opportunity to thank him for the work that the Clinton Foundation is contributing to the Eco Atlantic City Project in Lagos, Nigeria.
President Clinton elaborated on the Clinton Foundation’s effort to better the lives of Nigerian children.
VIDEO: Nigerian attorney Ebiere Awudu meets ex-Pres @billclinton at surprise rally for @HillaryClinton in Elm City pic.twitter.com/xM7p1Os4wO
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“We also have people working all the way up in Northeastern Nigeria , you know where the Boko Haram are, to try to save a million lives of children under five, from waterborne diseases… cholera, dysentery, diarrhea. We can do it for fifty cents a person,” President Clinton said.
More than a hundred people lined the sidewalks of Wooster Street and surrounded the former President during his surprise visit to the famous Frank Pepe’s, an iconic pizzeria in New Haven since 1925. Democrats and Republicans alike, made efforts to come face-to-face with Clinton. Clinton spent nearly half an hour inside and outside Frank Pepe’s, mingling with restaurant-goers and snapping selfies with potential voters.
Awudu shares a similar commitment to social justice as President Clinton, who continues to do so through the Clinton Foundation, years after his presidency. Awudu took advantage of the rare chance to shake hands and speak with former President Clinton, capturing photos and soaking up the moment ahead of the upcoming presidential primary in Connecticut, just five days away on Apr. 26. Hillary Clinton currently leads the Democratic polls over her rival, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
Video and story credit to:
Micah Bailey, Journalist
Producer - WTNH News 8 (New Haven, CT)
@MicahBaileyWTNH