Mobo Award Winner and Ghanaian Reggae Artiste of the Year Batman Samini last Monday joined the teeming fans of the Ghanaian Football Star Michael Essien as he received an award as The BBC Footballer of the year.

Casually dressed for the occasion, Samini recalled how Michael Essien joined him [Samini] last year in England to receive an award at the 2006 Mobo Awards as the” Best African Act” of the Year.

“Last year I was so thrilled when I saw Michael Essien amongst the large crowd of Ghanaian Music fans who came to support me as I received the Best African Act at the 2006 Mobo Awards. And it is in this same spirit that I have also come here today to give him my support as he receives an award as the BBC African Footballer of the year”, he said.

Perhaps what sparked up the day’s event was when Batman Samini asked Michael Essien to shout the “kpoi” chant, which Michael did to the admiration of the crowd.

The Award was presented by Ghanaian football legend Abedi Ayew Pele.

Other top dignitaries who graced the occasion were the deputy minister of youth and sports, O. B. Amoah, Alhaji Jawula, Nii Odartey Lamptey and Ike Quartey.

This award is voted for by listeners to the BBC World Service’s African Sports programme Fast Track.

In receiving the award he adds his name to a list that includes Sammy Kuffour, El Hadji Diouf and Jay Jay Okocha.