CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The greatest and most embarrassing problem facing tertiary institutions in Nigeria today is the renewal of the menace and aggressiveness of cult activities.

According to Ogunade (2002) secret cult is an enclosed organized association of group devoted to the same cause. It is an enclosed group having an exclusive sacred ideology and series of rites cantering around their secret symbols.

Cult activities are sometimes laden with blood. It may be the blood of an animal or that of human beings. He claimed that during rival group clashes with the university, colleges, setting blood flows during which many life are last in the process.

Cultism can be defined as a ritual practice by a group of people whose membership admission, policy and initiation formalities as well as their mode of operations are done in secret, negative effects on both members and non members alike (Ajayi, 2015).

This project examines effects of secret cults in the Nigerian Universities, Colleges, Polytechnics, in multilayered manner.

Thomas (2002) asserted that confraternities operated at no degree of violence when emerged in the 1950’s. Unfortunately, they were later high jacked by military governments who were anxious to consolidate their holds on university students who might challenge their authorities. For example virile student unionism was perceived by military authorities as a threat of their power consolidation.

Consequently secret cults were used to neutralize student unions and their anti-government activities.

This project will look into the definition of secret cults followed by history of secret cults in the higher institution of learning in Nigeria moreso, the reason why student join secret cults as well as mode of recruitment into secret cults and the menace of cultism and the solution to it. However, attempts to examine the emergence of secret units from perspectives of those changes taking place within and outside the universities will be made.

According to Okwu (2006) as at September 2003, 5,000 students and lecturers have die on Nigeria campuses as a result of cult related violent clashes.

In 1952, the pirates confraternity also known as Sealord was formed at the university of Ibadan as a student protest group.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Violence has for long time been part of our political culture since independence started with the crises in the west. Even during the democratic government in the second republic, the military government also gave rise to extreme moral decadence in the society where honor and integrity were no longer virtues to be respected also university administration became autocratic and this encourage cultism which most time were used to settle personal scores, war in the communities that were traditionally fought at the level of the intelligent and scholarship become reduce to fight with stone eye ferocity accompanied by total disregard for the sound city of life.

What is even more baffling is the callous manner security student use sophisticated weapon of mass destruction among themselves. These problems are the Lauren of this research work. The paper intends to examine the extent of this menace with a focus of making useful suggestion for better academic communities in nation, the emergence of military rule in Nigeria when power was obtained as a result of violence. Politicians used cult members for reverse and for setting personal scores.

Cultism is a social crimes which is very rampant in universities, colleges of education and polytechnics all over the country, it is social menace which is not restricted to only the institution of higher learning but that which is a common phenomenon that characterized the entire society the secondary schools are not left behind. According to Ogunade (2002) cultist activities are something laden with blood. It may be the blood of an animal or that of human beings.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

This study will provide perspectives on cultism in Nigeria tertiary institutions and how to deal with its associated problems. It will also attempt to provide some right into the organization student secret cults suggest concrete way to deal with the violence associated with them, more so, the research will suggest steps to be taken to ensure a permanent end to this types of violence in the institution of leaning.

1.      To examine the relationship between cultism and violence among students in the tertiary institute.

2.      To suggest ways and means to prevent and or reverse cultist activities and practice in tertiary institution.

3.      To assess the impact of cultism on student and staff of tertiary institution.

4.      To identify the factor leading to cultist activities and practices.

1.4    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Cultism and secret cult word that are common place in contemporary Nigeria society. It is freely used by the elderly the middle aged the youth and even young children in almost all our cities and towns.

Secret cult is a terminology coined by a former military head of state-ibrahimBadamosiBabangidabetween 1983-1984. Before this period these gangs had always been referred to as fraternities.

Consequently, this study would be considered the significant on the basis of the fact that it is expected to shed more light on the necessity of curbing violence and way to slum cultism in all Nigeria tertiary institutions the researcher will also highlight ways of protecting student in the institutions.

In addition, this study would found useful for all students in all level of institutions sharing reason why they should curb violence and say no to cultism.

1.5     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research Questions have been formulated to guide the investigation

1.      What are the menaces of cultism in Nigeria tertiary institutions?

2.      In what ways has cultism affect the students?

3.      How can cultist activities beeradicate in our institutions?

4.      What are the factors leading to the high rate of cultism in tertiary institution?

5.      Does cultism have any significant and positive effect on student academic performance?

6.      What is the purpose, benefits derived as members of secret society?

1.6              SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study shall be within Abeokuta township basically Federal College of Education, Osiele Abeokuta.

This study has the motive in finding out on effects of cultism among students of tertiary institution in Nigeria and the possible solutions. Due to the fact that there are individual differences in our level of exposure. It is almost impossible to accurately and empirically document the amount of document and amount of crime resulting from violence and secret cult activities.

In Nigeria today the police men remain the major source of crime data, consequently, possible crime resulting from secret cults activities are diffused among such as rape, manslaughter and other based on education the number of institution in Nigeria today the number of cultist cannot be figured out.

1.7              DEFINITION OF TERMS

A.    Cultism: Thesaurus Dictionary defined cultism as a religious r religion sec generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guardians of authoritarian.

B.     Menace: Oxford Advance learner’s Dictionary defined menace as a person or thing that causes or may cause serious damage, harm or danger.

C.     Eradication: To remove or destroy utterly

D.    Institution: An organization, establishment, foundation, society, or the like, devoted to the promotion of a particular cause or program, especially one of a public, educational or charitable character.