FACTORS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF CULTISM IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION EKIADOLOR- BENIN

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Cultism is the state or phenomenon where persons are bound together with a common belief or cause usually through some rituals. According to Oxford dictionary of current English 5th edition the word “cult” mean a system of religions worship especially one that is expressed in rituals. 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 uplift 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. Additionally, the attention of the government and the society at large is the introductions of violent, savagery and terrorism into the present day cult a diametrical contrast to what obtained in yester – years. It is now common in or campuses that factors of naval cults violently clash even in broad day light and manta themselves down with dangerous weapons such as guns and daggers, nocturnal initiation ceremonies in which initiates are animalized and some of then die in the process making blood covenants and performing other occultic rituals, organized opposition against any kind of oppression real or imagined liberal consumption of alcohol, use of drugs, intimidation and use of violent, extortion, stealing, armed robbers, arson, sexual abuse and rape, examination malpractice, maiming, manslaughter and murder. The recent occurrence are the university of Ile-Ife, Benin Ekpoma, Ibadan and of the course college of education, Ekiadolor to mention but a few artist to these facts. This is what as led to the pubic to speak against the societal evil calling to its total eradication.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS

The fundamental problems of cultism are the uncertain and unsafe atmosphere in or campuses even to the activities of members of secret cult. Their manner of operation is both sinister and bizarre living behind them, a frail of wants destruction. Most distressing of the problems is the spate of killing in our campuses in recent times, many lives have been terminated permanently. In spite of measure put in place by the various arm of government and school administrators, aimed at combating the ugly trend of cultism, the phenomenon on our campuses has refused to be eradicated. Thus, the researcher intend to make an in-depth study into the factors which create the tearful climate that encourage the growth and spread of cultism in our institutions of higher learning with a view to proffer solutions to the problems.