The IO Furniture Innovation Award drew to a close on Wednesday 30th September at the IO Furniture showroom in Ilupeju, Lagos.
The four finalists Damola Rufai, Yinka Dayo-Adepoju, Nafisat Dada and Babalola Ishmaeel displayed and delivered stellar pitches to the judges.
Damola Rufai’s ‘Esho Table’ was chosen as the winning design and was granted the One Million Naira cash prize.
The ‘Esho Table’ is a versatile design that can be used in both commercial and residential settings. Made of a glass top and welded steel rods, it was designed with low poly graphics in mind to conjure up images of a cut jewel. Named after the Yoruba word for treasure or jewel, ‘Esho’ was created with the use of sustainable re-usable materials.
Other finalists, Yinka Dayo-Adepoju, Nafisat Dada and Babalola Ishmael emerged 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the competition. To reward their efforts, IO Furniture awarded them Three Hundred Thousand Naira, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira and Fifty thousand naira respectively.
IO furniture will continue to further develop the programme as a system to promote and empower young Nigerian talent.
