Nigerian music star Burna Boy is this year’s winner of the Best International Act at the BET Awards.

Burna Boy, real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, was crowned the winner of the award for the third time in a row.

Compatriot Wizkid and Diamond Platnumz of Tanzania were also vying for the prize. Burna Boy was also competing against Youssoupha and Aya Nakamura, both from France, Brazil’s Emicida, and the UK’s Headie One and Young T & Bugsey.

The 29-year-old Nigerian thanked his mother, “the most beautiful woman in the world”, as he picked his award in Los Angeles.

Diamond Platnumz thanked Tanzanians for their unity – despite a petition that had been launched to have him disqualified for the US music award.

The petition, which had been signed by more than 20,000 people, wanted him disqualified for “whitewashing” the late president John Magufuli’s government. Magufuli, who died in March, was accused of curtailing press freedom and harassing the opposition.

Tanzania’s government spokesman Gerson Msigwa congratulated Diamond.

“We didn’t get the award but we have more respect. We as Tanzanians know you are a winner, a fighter, a real patriot and best musician in Africa and around the world. We shall get the award another time,” he posted on Twitter.

By Eric Knight