THE EFFECT OF CULTISM IN NIGERIA HIGHER INSTITUTIONS
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.
PURPOSE OF STUDY
The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that encourage the growth of cultism in our institution of higher learning with view to educate the public about the extent of the social problems.
It should be seen by those who could do something about it (educational planners, educational policy makers, the Nigeria University Commission (NUC), the government, parents, various university councils and senates, etc.) as something that did not just evolve overnight, hence, solution. It is should be as elastic as its evolution.
Firstly, cult association parade members that is not classifiable as normal personality types. Hence, the particular agoraphobic trait in them gives impetus to the desire to operate clandestinely need to located and attacked.
Secondly, university authorities should not frequently use threats of expulsion against cult members. Instead, effective means should be devised to draw out and register cult organization so that their activities would be made more open and easy to monitor. It is also psychologically defeating to expel students from an institution of learning, particularly for behavioral deficiencies, such as exercising one’s right of association wrongly. When a human organism is expelled from an establishment whose sole objective is to train and change behaviour.
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
This study will provide expository factors which encourage the growth and spread of cultism in our institution of higher learning. This will therefore provide planer and implementers of policies with the factors that influence cultism in schools. These when know will enable them to fight cultism squarely and help eradicate the problems that has become a canker worm in our institution of higher learning.
RESEARCH QUESTION
Does parental influence contribute to the growth of cultism in schools?
Does it really mean that peer group influences society, academic performance, power, ego, affection, menace of cultism, can sanctions also contribution to the growth of cultism in school?
Are some students are intimidated to belong to one cult or the other?
Is your friend intimidating or persuading you to be a member of his cult group?
Do you belong to cult group?
Do you think is good to be a cultist?
SCOPE OF STUDY
This study will involve the total population of the College of Education, Ekiadolor that is both staff and students.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Cult: A system of religions worship especially one that is expressed in rituals
Cultism: Is the state or phenomenon where person are sound together with a common beliefs
Hitherto: This means until now or until a particular time
Quest: The act of seeking or a long search or to find.
