Theresa May congratulates organisers of Annual Gathering of Africa's Best GAB Awards 2016 as event holds in London's Canary Wharf on Sunday

Ahead of Sunday's November 27th  2016 date for the 18th Annual Gathering of Africa's Best (GAB) Awards the British Prime Minister - Theresa May MP, has sent a message of congratulations to organisers of the Annual Gathering of Africa's Best (GAB) Awards.

In her Goodwill Message, the Prime Minister stated that: "I would like to congratulate Trumpet Media on its 18th Annual Gathering of Africa's Best Awards."

"These awards are an opportunity for us all to recognise the incredible achievements of successful African men and women across sectors including financial services, retail, media, the arts, science and technology and sport.

"I would like to congratulate the organisers and volunteers for making these awards such a successful event and wish everyone involved all the best."

Earlier organisers have released a list of recipients who have amassed votes for recognition at the London financial district epicentre venue, the Hilton London Canary Wharf.

 According to the Founder of the GAB Awards and Publisher of the 21-year old Trumpet Media Group - 'Femi Okutubo, "Against the backdrop of numerous negative stereotypes about Africa and Africans, we must continue to celebrate Africa's Best. There are many, including unsung heroes who are putting Africa and Africans on a positive map - they deserve to be celebrated."

Watch: GAB Award 2016 post award presentation dance at Hilton Canary Wharf https://youtu.be/L-ECsL1Gk1g Recorded by KBJOJO.com The first batch of names of individuals and organisations who have made it to the Finalists stage of the GAB Awards Nomination process, includes Nollywood Stars Funke Akindele, Tonto Dikeh and Rita Dominic who are to be conferred with GAB Special Recognition Awards in The Arts category.

Those in the running for GAB Awards for Excellence include: Simeon Adewole Ademolake - Education; Africans Unite Against Child Abuse (AFRUCA) - Advocacy; Atlantic Solicitors - Legal; Priscilla Anyabu - Future Leader

Dame Betty Asafu-Adjaye - Community Development; Daniel Ford International - Property Services; Employment Rights Representation and Advisory Services - Advocacy; and Yemisi Jenkins-Lewis MBE - Community Engagement.

Others include: Alice & Lifted Joshua (Alifted Music) - Entertainment; Cllr. Joy Laguda MBE - Community Engagement; MC Mark - Entertainment; Mo Obadina - Business Consultancy; Obaseki Solicitors - Legal Services; Akpos Ogagbe - Entertainment; Pastor Lola Owolabi - Community Development; Purple Premium Ltd - Property Services; The Reapers Choir - Gospel Music; Simon Bethel Solicitors - Legal Services; and Lily Mensah Yeboah - Marketing Consultancy.

Recipients will be revealed during the glamorous GAB Awards ceremony on Sunday November 27 at Hilton London Canary Wharf - in London's financial district.

The GAB Awards was founded in 1999 by The Trumpet Newspaper.

The GAB Awards rewards excellence among Africans and Friends of Africa on the continent and in the Diaspora who are contributing the positive image of Africa and Africans.

Tickets to the event can be purchased via www.gabawards.eventbrite.com or by telephone: +44 (0) 7956 385604.

Full List of Finalists

Special Recognition Awards

Funke Akindele  - The Arts

Tonto Dikeh  - The Arts

Rita Dominic  - The Arts

Awards for Excellence

Sam Adebanjo - Gospel Music

Simeon Adewole Ademolake - Education

Africans Unite Against Child Abuse (AFRUCA) - Advocacy

Atlantic Solicitors - Legal

Priscilla Anyabu - Future Leader

Dame Betty Asafu-Adjaye - Community Development

Annette Bee - Media

Malcolm A Benson - The Arts

Broadreach Training Services - Education

Covenant Voices - Gospel Music

Daniel Ford International - Property Services

Employment Rights Representation and Advisory Services - Advocacy

Gospel Touch Choir - Gospel Music

Heat Factory ICI Productions Ltd - The Arts

High Achievers Academy - Education

Okoli Chukwuka Ikenna - Youth Empowerment

Yemisi Jenkins-Lewis MBE - Community Engagement

Alice & Lifted Joshua (Alifted Music) - Entertainment

Juliana Asthma Cause - Health

Kaft Trendz - Fashion

Dr Oladimeji Kareem - Health

Cllr. Joy Laguda MBE - Community Engagement

MC Mark - Entertainment

Migration of African Music - Entertainment

Mo Obadina - Business Consultancy

Obaseki Solicitors - Legal Services

Dr. Dapo Odumeru - Health

Akpos Ogagbe - Entertainment

Yemi Ogundipe - Gospel Music

Martins Ojo - Youth Development

Anu Omideyi - Legal Services

Pastor Lola Owolabi - Community Development

Purple Premium Ltd - Property Services

The Reapers Choir - Gospel Music

Tonia Shodunke - Gospel Music

Shoggy Tosh - Sport

Simon Bethel Solicitors - Legal Services

Lily Mensah Yeboah - Marketing Consultancy

The GAB Awards was founded in 1999 by The Trumpet Newspaper.

The GAB Awards rewards excellence among Africans and Friends of Africa on the continent and in the Diaspora who are contributing the positive image of Africa and Africans.

Further information is available at www.gabawards.com