FACTOR THAT INFLUENCE THE GROWTH OF CULTISM IN SCHOOL. A CASE STUDY OF COLLEGE OF EDUCATION EKIADOLOR-BENIN

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to find out the factor that influences the growth of cultism in school. In carrying out this study, a questionnaire was designed and administered to the student in College of Education, Ekiadolor – Benin. The data collected were analyzed and interpreted. It was observed that power, security, wealth, parents, peer groups and amongst others are he major factors that influence the growth of cultism in schools. In the light of the findings, recommendations were proffered in the hope that if carefully considered and implemented by individuals, organization and bodies they would help in reducing cultism in schools.

CHAPTER ONE

All over the world, universities have often been regarded and referred to as citadels of learning. The also applied to the Nigeria universities until recently when as a result of incessant secret cult activities the centres of learning have become centers of violence. Indeed, Gimba (2000) in referring to the cult activities in the universities as oering B.SC in violence and “MA” in cultism. As has been observed by Eneji (1996) almost everyday, there are new stories of devilish acts perpetrated by secret cults on campuses. In describing the situation of cultism. Eneji (1996) asserts from the universities to the polytechnics, college of education and other tertiary institutions and some secondary schools, come stories of violence. According to the Oxford Concise dictionary of sociology (1996) gives the anthropological definitions of a cult as a set of practices and beliefs of a group in relation to a local god. It also gives a sociological definition of it as a small group of religious activities whose beliefs and typical secret, esoteric and individualistic. Ogumbameru (1997) defines a secret cult as an organization whose activities as kept away from the knowledge of others. These activities are essentially covers, designed and are usually carried out behind closed doors. From this definition cults now popularly know as confraternities, have assumed a monstrous features in our institution of higher learning.

To this end therefore our various campuses, which were hitherto a mode of intellectual quest and social upli most have become citadel of violence and terrorism. The pertinent question that one may ask is the phenomenon of cult just entering our institution of higher learning? The answer is simply no. this is because international figure have been know t be members of the pirates confraternity in their college days or universities. Furthermore, when there was a violent clash between the Eiye confraternity and the Buccaneers at the universities of Ibadan in 1989 some notable professors and doctors at the institution were fond to the patrons and bankers of these cults. The implication is that these professors and doctors were members of these cults in their own college days. We find and disturbing trend of the proliferation of campuses cult in or institutions of higher learning, such cults are Viking the black axe, the morphine, the buccaneers, the pirates, the black arrow to mention but a few have become a familiar features in our institutions.