In response to circulating rumors regarding the quality of blazers made for Albert Academy’s 120th anniversary, Zulumandingo, the official manufacturer, has released statements clarifying the situation.
Zulumandingo, the company entrusted with producing the commemorative blazers, firmly denied allegations that their products are of poor quality, addressing claims that colors are fading and stitching is faulty.
“The original blazers produced by Zulumandingo are made from authentic, high-quality velvet, customized with an embroidered Albert Academy logo, and feature a distinctive single-button design,” the company confirmed.
The statement highlighted that the reports of inferior blazers with multiple buttons and poor-quality stitching pertain to pirated versions circulating in the market.
“These imitations do not reflect the standard and quality of Zulumandingo products,” the company added, reassuring customers of the superior craftsmanship of their official blazers.
Meanwhile, the Albert Academy 120th Anniversary Planning Committee on 29 May 2024 issued a public notice warning against unauthorized reproductions of the official 120th anniversary logo and souvenirs.
“It is illegal for any individual or group of persons to print, produce, or reproduce any form of the official 120th anniversary logo, souvenir items, or other memorabilia for commercial purposes without the express consent of the Albert Academy Alumni Association,” stated Mohamed Tholley, Secretary of the Planning Committee.
The committee emphasized their ongoing collaboration with local authorities, including the Sierra Leone Police, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), and the Patent and Copyright Unit within the Ministry of Trade and Industry, to combat piracy and copyright infringements.
“Any defaulters caught will be dealt with appropriately and within the full force of the law,” the notice warned.
Both the Alumni Association and Zulumandingo are committed to ensuring that customers receive only the highest-quality official products as part of the academy’s landmark celebration.
