Olugbenga Adejoro, a Masters student of Industrial Design (Graphics option) of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, is the winner of the contest for the logo of the forthcoming Sonala Olumhense Syndicated column. He beat 17 others to win the token US$300 prize.

The runner-up is Oluwaseyi Ayoade, a mass communication student of Bowen University, Iwo. Competition Judge, Mr Ogbenyi Egbe, a computer graphics design whiz and Creative Director of Harpostrophe Limited, which co-ordinated the competition, described Adejoro’s design as “well thought-out and balanced.”

The artiste’s creative use of the writer’s silhouette, he said, “helps to humanise the column and give it a personality.” Egbe also praised Ayoade, citing his “simple use of two colours which complement each other.”   He added:  “The all-seeing eye in the ‘o’ is graphically very appealing as it helps describe the column’s purpose.”  His prize is US$200.

Reacting to his choice as the winner, Adejoro gushed in an email: “I can’t hold my joy, Am sooo happy!!! Short of words for now, kindly permit me to respond properly later. Thanks so much.”

Mr Olumhense, currently based in the United States, on 28 April wrote his last exclusive column for The Guardian newspaper, after 30 years; opting to henceforth syndicate his column, which will be known as Sonala Olumhense Syndicated. On 11 May, a contest to choose the logo was thrown open to graphics arts students in Nigeria. Interestingly, the second prize winner, a mass communication student of Bowen University, decided to contest as he had noted that he’s “learning to be a skilled writer and designer.”