Bill Clinton Displays His Magic Touch Again…
by Oyiza Adaba

Click here for a full Slideshow of the event

New York, NY – The 2nd Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative raised over $7.3 billion from hundreds of participants that made 215 commitments.

Highlights include a commitment announced by First Lady Laura Bush to bring clean drinking water to 1,000 communities in sub-Saharan Africa, and Virgin Group CEO Richard Branson’s $3 billion commitment toward bio-fuel initiatives. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton moderated a special session called "Women and the Power of Economic Opportunity."

During his closing remarks, President Clinton thanked the participants for their efforts during three-day event and stressed the important role of individuals in solving the world’s most urgent problems.

"Today, three billion people around the globe are trapped behind the bars of extreme poverty, of a lack of health care, of war and of environmental devast ation," said President Clinton. "It’s our job to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. It’s our responsibility to cast off each other’s chains."

Over a thousand leaders of business, government and non-governmental organizations attended this year’s meeting of CGI, in addition to nearly 50 current and former heads of state. African leaders featured prominently include Bishop Desmond Tutu, Nigeria’s former Foreign Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nobel Peace Price Winner Wangari Maathai, Presidents Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson of Liberia, John Kagame of Rwanda, Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania.

Combined with last year’s totals, CGI has resulted in nearly $10 billion worth of commitments in just its first two years. Commitments will continue to be made throughout the coming weeks and over the course of this next year.

Oyiza Adaba is a U.S-based journalist and a contributor to this publicati on.
Pictures by Oyiza Adaba & Sarai Kachim

Robot  # 1 | 29.09.2006 06:28

Bill Clinton Displays His Magic Touch Again… by Oyiza Adaba ...Read the full article.

gwobezentashi  # 2 | 29.09.2006 06:43

Oyiza, na wa o. Na so so Bill Clinton from your side. No let am bring that cigar near you o!:wink: :rolleyes: :redface: Seriously though, this is a laudable initiative and would only wish our "ex leaders" who are not dead would pursue similar worthwhile endeavours rather than engage in endless scheming to get back into power and do it to us all over again. Aluta! Gwobezentashi

Abamieda Wanderer  # 3 | 29.09.2006 09:45

At the risk of sounding like a paid political pundit, I personally believe that William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is the best President America ever had in the last 50 something years of American History. I mean, what can I say about this man; he is the kind of man I want to be when I really, really grow up. I also belive that Hillary Clinton will equally make a great American President but that is if all the American Conservative Christian groups can see past their collective biases, prejudices and sexist attitudes against smart intelligent women attaining high positions of power. The funniest part of it all is that they use bible to justify all these archaic notions about women. One thing is for sure, if she were President; America will never invade another country in the name of democracy again; wisdom and knowledge they say is mightier than sword. Well on the other hand, could they be right? One thing I know for sure is that Condi Rice is a great example of how Ivy League Education for some women can sometimes be a waste of money and efforts; her ignorant and most times ill-informed opinions and blatant refusal to acknowledge her mistakes, to me makes her more dangerous than George W Bush and Donald "The liberator" Rumsfeld combined. I guess ignorance is not bliss afterall. Shikena, Abamieda

Auspicious  # 4 | 29.09.2006 12:29

Abamieda fun ra e! You truly live up to the true 'progenitor' of that name! Thank you, o jare eeyan mi! Auspicious.

DoubleWahala  # 5 | 29.09.2006 12:34

Abamieda, it's plainly obvious that you're sympathetic to the Democrats' cause. That is not necessarilly a bad thing - just partisan. No doubt, a Republican would disagree with your observations. DoubleWahala

Exxcuzme  # 6 | 29.09.2006 13:08

___________ Bill Clinton Displays His Magic Touch Again… ___________ O yeah?Let's see the full length pic .....I need to see where his hands are.....by his sides or grabbing something else:D

Auspicious  # 7 | 29.09.2006 14:07

Waaaaait a minute! How come, that "magic touch" didn't work on the John F. Kerry campaign during the American presidential election of 2004? Shhh! Some say it was 'delibrate'; if Kerry had won, Bill's wifey Hillary wouldnt have been able to contest for Presidency of the United States come 2008. :neutral: Auspicious.

Naija for life  # 8 | 29.09.2006 14:11

=Exxcuzme;132635___________ Bill Clinton Displays His Magic Touch Again… ___________ O yeah?Let's see the full length pic .....I need to see where his hands are.....by his sides or grabbing something else:D Especially with those big smiles on the women's faces:lol:.

Femi  # 9 | 29.09.2006 15:49

Hey Oyiza, Thanks for always bringing a refreshing "twist" to this site when it is needed most. Good job!

Omovudu  # 10 | 01.10.2006 07:40

A very well done to Oyiza and co. You dey go places as kpe na the rich and the mighty you dey snap. Actually the quality of the pictures are also very sharp and nice so please keep up the good work (especially and hopefully assuming you are representing the Nigerian face wherever you go). Also agree with Gwobe, how I wish those our past presidents would do things in this direction instead of thinking or planning to come back and rule. Just goes to tell the quality of minds that we have had ruling us. Omashe some people would say. Lets ensure they never get the mandate so that we can move forward an an appropriate speed for the now.

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