BEST OF Africa (BoA) founder Francis Nkwain has revealed why the event has moved from its normal spring date to Black History Month.

The latest edition of the awards took place at the Rosewood Hotel in central London on October 6 and was another positive night as some of the continent’s luminaries were honoured.

Nkwain said: “We moved the event to this new date in the calendar to serve as a uniting and symbolic gathering that could speak to the wonderful opportunity that is Black History Month in the United Kingdom.

“We also chose to place this year’s event under the banner of ‘History makers and trailblazers’ as a further mark of respect to the importance of history in the definition of a people.

“Through the years we have sought to foster a better understanding of the African continent and her children by creating an evening led by the activities and examples of a chosen few stellar names.”

Among those that collected awards was Senegalese Fatma Samoura, who was appointed as the first female secretary general of FIFA three years ago. Also recognised were the likes of Stormzy and NBA legend Luol Deng.

Nkwain added: “We look at their activities in and away from their fields of professional competence in a considered effort effort to encourage the discarding of the concept of the single-story narrative and an appreciation of the more nuanced and layered humanity these star names exhibit through their personal as professional lives.

“The awards was founded to challenge us to go beyond stereotypes, to go beyond prejudices and preconceptions.

“I feel even more strongly than ever that it is important that the African Diaspora know and take its rightful place in the important development agenda.”