EFFECT OF CULTISM IN SCHOOLS AND CAMPUSES

INTRODUCTION

 

According to oxford dictionary of current English the word ‘cult” means a system of religious worship especially one that is exposed in rituals. From this definition, cults have now popularly known as “confraternity” has assumed a monstrous feature in our various institutions of learning. This is because international figures have been known to be members of the pirate confraternity in their college or institutions. Furthermore, Kolawole et al (2000) said that when there was a violent crash between the eye confraternity and the buccaneers at the university of Ibadan in 1989, some notable professors and doctors at the institutions were found to be patrons and bankers of these cults. The implications are that these professors and doctors were members of these cults in their own college days.

It is now common in our campuses that factors of naval cults violence clash ever in broad day knight and mats themselves with dangerous weapons such as guns and daggers. The recent occurrence are the university of Ife, Benin, Ekpoma, Ibadan, college of Education Ekiadolor against the social ill calling to its total eradication. Secrete cults societies could be traced down to the Egyptians. The magicians in their request for more power used some cultic devices they formed a school of taught which was mostly based on intellectual objectives, which is mainly to enhance their cultic prowess. Initiations are conducted for people that want to belong to a particular set of masquerade are observed thoroughly by its members. One initiated, the secrete concerning the masquerade are observed thoroughly by its members. In the late 40’s the higher institutions in Nigeria were not associated with secrete societies. The first higher school secrete cult in Nigeria came into existence in 1952 when a group of seven (7) students lead by Wole Soyinka Olumuyiwa, Awe, Raph, Opora, Dir Aif-Imokhunede, Junji Tubi and Oly Agunoloye formed the sea dogs confraternity (AKA Pirates) in the university of Ibadan. There was nothing secreted then when it was newly introduced. The main reason of forming the cult was to fight colonialism ensuring the dignity of man and ride the Nigeria society of elitism and tribalism. Its members engage in humanitarian activities such as donations of blood to hospitals to save lives and assist the helpless in the society also, an attempt to fight any attempted oppress students by any lecturers or the school management trying to impose oppressive policies on the students, “everything we did then was healthy, firm, harmless and above board”. Recall Muyiwa Awe, one of the founding fathers their confraternity were legitimate and officially recognized by the school authority and the government of the time. Cultism could simply be described as a kind of gang behaviour that is contrary to the acceptable norms and value of the large society and its characters by oath taking, secrecy and violence. According to Hornsby (2001) it is also system of religious worship, a devotion to a person or practice and ritual especially of a single diet.

However, that is where the similarities ends as there is indeed a distinction between the two for instance “secrete society” is defined in section 31% of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 as including any secrete association group or body of persons (whether registered or not).

a. That uses secrete signs, oaths, rites or symbols and which is formed to promote on course the purpose or part of the purpose of which is to foster the interest of its members and to aid one another under any circumstances without due regard to merit fair play or justice to the detriment of the legitimate interest of those who are not members.

b. The members are shown to observe oaths of secrecy or the activities of which are not known to the public at large, the names of whose members are kept secret and whose meeting and other activities are held in secrete. Although there is no definition in the constitution. The definition given to it in the secret cult and similar activities (prohibition) law 2004 recently passed in the River State House of Assembly in 18 instructive as it clearly shown the popularity in Nigeria of the non academic every day usage of the phrase. That law defined secrete cult as follows ‘it means an organization, association, group of body or person (whether or not listed) whose membership meeting and others activities are kept secret and which promote causes or engage in acts of violence or harm.

From the definition above, definition above, it can be seen that the essential difference between the two notions is the dominant element of violence in the definition of secrete cult, which element is not necessarily present in that of the secret society.

THE PROBLEM OF CULTISM

The fundamental problems of cultism are the uncertain and unsafe atmosphere in our schools. Ewa to the activities of members, of secret cult, the manner of operation is both sinister in sschools in recent times of cultism whose phenomena seen to be going more and prominence on our campuses. This researcher intend to make an in-depth study into the factors which created the on hearty climate that encourage the growth and spread of cultism in our institution of learning with a view to proffer solution to the problems.

CONSEQUENCES OF CULTISM IN SCHOOLS

o Breakdown of law and order: cultism brings chaos and fighting as violence erupts whenever cult members attacked themselves for whatever reason. This disturbs the peace of the students.

o Fall in the standard of education:  teachers award unmerited marks to cultists/students for the fear of been attacked.

o  Condones bullying and abuse of people rights:  cult members bully and offend non – cult members as well as infringe on others rights.

o Expulsion from school: cultists when discovered by school authority are rusticated.

o  The problem of indiscipline: lecturers and some members of the authority for the fear of being attacked cannot discipline cult members as a result encourage all sorts of lawlessness and indiscipline in our schools.

Preventive measures against cultism

o   More enlightenment campaigns on the evils of cultism.

o  The upbringing of any children in their youthful age should be done properly by parents.

o  Introduction of cultism, its ills etc. should be introduced into secondary schools curriculum in subjects like civic education.

o  School authorities must establish effective and viable outfits to identify cult members and their activities within the campuses.

o    Orientation and warning about the problems and consequences and the need to dissociate from such groups.

Government efforts in preventing cultism

o    Government must provide adequate funding and modern educational facilities, recreational activities and sporting equipment.

o    Government must identify, expose and punish any member of the society giving financial support to the cult this will serve as a difference to other members of the society having similar ideas.

o    NGOs, religious bodies and parents should work hand in hand to terminate cultism in higher institutions.