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A bold attempt by the Class of 2003 of the Prince of Wales School (POW) to feature a live lion in their school’s centenary anniversary march past has been denied by the Sierra Leone Police.
The alumni group had submitted a formal request to the police, outlining their plan to import a Panthera leo melanochaita from the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Their vision was to have the lion, accompanied by four professional lion tamers, participate in the procession from Kissy Road to Kingtom on April 6th.
The Class of 2003 aimed to honor the school’s 100-year legacy and symbolically represent POW’s identity as “The King of Academic Jungle,” drawing inspiration from the school’s motto “Forward” and its lion crest.
However, the Sierra Leone Police swiftly rejected the request. In a letter dated March 29th, the Inspector General’s Office cited concerns regarding “public safety, order, and security” under the 1991 Constitution as the reason for the denial. The letter concluded with a firm “NOT APPROVED.”
The ambitious proposal has generated significant buzz on social media, with many reacting with amusement. Rival schools have playfully offered alternative suggestions, ranging from a person dressed in a lion costume to a holographic projection, and even musical suggestions from “The Lion King.”
Despite the setback, the Prince of Wales School is proceeding with its centenary celebrations. The incident has undoubtedly added an unexpected twist to the festivities, ensuring that this milestone anniversary will be remembered for years to come.
😰👎👎👎👎👎👎 to the police officer who did not approve the letter