FIFA Secretary General and General Delegate for Africa Fatma Samoura was honoured as a History Maker by the Best of Africa Awards yesterday (Sunday 6 October) in London.

She was presented with the award by Rio Ferdinand, in recognition of her work at FIFA where she has held the position of Secretary General since May 2016, when she became the first-ever African, Muslim woman to take up this role.

The Best of Africa Awards are held annually in London and bring together some of the most influential members of the African diaspora living and working in the United Kingdom, to highlight the positive achievements they have made to communities at home and abroad.

Last night’s event saw the following members of the diaspora honoured:

Eniola Aluka, professional footballer, for her work on leadership projects and improving access to water in Rwanda

Fuse ODG, musician, for his philanthropic work building schools in Ghana

Anita Asante, professional footballer, for her work giving back to the community and inspiring young people

Wilfried Zaha, professional footballer, for his philanthropic work in Ivory Coast and his support of women’s football at Crystal Palace Football Club

Diamond Platnumz, musician, for his work to make music more accessible to young people in East Africa

Visit Rwanda, the Rwandan tourism initiative, for its support of Arsenal football

Nuno Espírito Santo, Coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, for his outstanding year as their manager

Radhi Jhaidi, Coach at Southampton FC, for his outstanding achievements in coaching and mentorship

Afro Nation, the biggest urban beach festival in Europe (Portugal) and Africa (Ghana) celebrating African music, for its outstanding events

Stormzy, rapper and musician, for his outstanding contribution as a musical artist

Luol Deng, NBA player, for his excellence in sport

Fatma Samoura, FIFA Secretary General and General Delegate for Africa, for her role as a history maker - the first ever African Muslim woman to hold the role of Secretary General at FIFA