FACTORS INFLUENCING CULTISM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Abstract

Cultism is a small group of people who have extreme religious believes and not part of an established religion, which original object as turned into destructions? Cultism has destroyed so many lives, wasted so many families, aborted so many future makes our school or institutions of learning uncomfortable. Therefore it has to be completely eradicated totally from our society without knowing the cause of a problem, there is no way such problem can be solved. This study therefore focuses on the factors influencing the growth of cultism in secondary school using questionnaires administration, 40% of randomly selected secondary schools in Orhionmwon  Local Government Area of Edo State were sampled the findings revealed that parents, peer groups and power for protection, wealth are factors responsible for the growth of cultism in our country. Recommendations were made on how to totally eradicate cultism from our various secondary schools and society at large.

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page

Approval page

Dedication

Acknowledgment

Abstract

Table of content

CHAPTER ONE

1.0   INTRODUCTION

1.1        Background of the study

1.2        Statement of problem

1.3        Objective of the study

1.4        Research Hypotheses

1.5        Significance of the study

1.6        Scope and limitation of the study

1.7       Definition of terms

1.8       Organization of the study

CHAPETR TWO

2.0   LITERATURE REVIEW

CHAPETR THREE

3.0        Research methodology

3.1        sources of data collection

3.3        Population of the study

3.4        Sampling and sampling distribution

3.5        Validation of research instrument

3.6        Method of data analysis

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.1    Introductions

4.2    Data analysis

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1    Introduction

5.2    Summary

5.3    Conclusion

5.4    Recommendation

Appendix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the study

The last two decades have witnessed secret cult violence in higher institution in Nigeria. Cult activities involve blood sharing and waste of human lives; have reached an alarming proportion in Nigeria society today. Media reports blaze the coverage of cult activities in educational institution in Nigeria. These include the activities in the University of Ibadan, Nsuka, Almadu Bello University, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, University of Benin and so on. Coverage also include the polytechnic such as Kwara state polytechnic, Oko polytechnic, Auchi Polytechnic the other polytechnic are not left out. The colleges of education are no exception, cult activities have been reported at the college of education etc. Cult activities have continued to thrive in Nigeria due to the enormous impression of the seeming invisibility of cult and their members. A major factor working in the favour of cult group is mass ignorance on the part of students especially the new students who are hoodwinked and deceived to join them, secret cult societies could be traced down to the Egyptians. 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 known 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. In defining cultism, Azelama, Alude and Imhonda (2000) noted that “cult is an assemblage of people united by certain ideals, or symbols and whose rites and ceremonies of veneration are unique and shrouded in mysteries with a secrecy that cannot be broken ‘cultus’ which means ‘to worship or give reverence to a deity.’ Thus, in its original usage, it was simply applied to a religious worshipful group of people regardless of the object or person they venerated. Furthermore, Rotimi (2005) cites the anthropological definition of ‘cult’ by Oxford Concise Dictionary of Sociology (1996) as ‘a set of practices and beliefs of a group in relation to a local god.’ The same dictionary gives a sociological definition of a cult as ‘a small group of religious activists whose beliefs are typically secret, esoteric and individualistic.’ Aguda (1997), Ogunbameru (1997) and the Free Encyclopedia (2006) define cult in a similar manner. Langone (1988) indicated that cult leaders have absolute control over the members of the movement and as such they use force to subdue them under their command. The author concluded that because cults tend to be leader centred, exploitative and harmful, they come into conflict with and threatened by the rational open and benevolent system of members’ families and society at large and that it is an exploitatively manipulative and abusive group in which members are induced to serve the group leader(s). From these accounts, it can be deduced that cults and cultism have certain elements in common. They are esoteric, shrouded in secrecy, usually made up of a small group of people with a charismatic leader, and may or may not be religious in nature. Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria defines a secret cult as any association, group or body of persons (whether registered or not) that uses secret signs, oaths, rite or symbols and which is formed to promote a course, the purpose or part of which is to foster, the interest of its members and to aid one another under any regard without due regard to merit, fairness or justice; whose oaths of secrecy and, the names and activities are held in secret. The numerous and diverse activities of campus cults and confraternities have gained undue and unwanted popularity in institutions of higher learning and the society has borne brunt of their existence. In the tertiary institutions today, these cults are involved in activities that could destabilize the smooth running of academic work in higher institutions. In the tertiary institutions, there are reported cases of murder of students in clashes between rival cults. In some cases, non-cult members are murdered for reasons of provoking a cult member or group. Also female students are raped, disfigured for refusing to yield to love advance from cult members. It is now common in or schools 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 them 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. Despite the fact that many view cultism as abode of evil, where all manners of evil such as maiming, murder, examination malpractice, robbery, rape, arson, intimidation of fellow students and lecturers for good grades, forceful love (girlfriends) and clashes of rival cults groups, some students find it fashionable to blend or join cults groups for different reasons. For this reason, social problems associated with campus cult activities calls for further investigation. In the normal school situation, people feel comfortable as the academic environments in the campuses are usually very conducive without disturbances. As reported by Arogundade (1994), Amachere (1992) and Oriaku (1992), every student was supposed to know why he/she is in schools and as such his/her academic pursuit. They have been known to provide the social atmosphere which allows students, administrators and academics alike to enjoy peaceful coexistence and excellence in education. In the case of students, the existence of and participation in clubs and organizations on campuses ensure that they become well rounded and well adjusted individuals at the conclusion of their course of study. This scenario applied to institutions of higher learning in Nigeria until when cultism reared its ugly head on schools. Education is a crucial factor in the social, economic, political and technological development of a nation. The universities are abridged version of the larger society, as school is for academic excellence, which shapes an individual to the world of honour and dignity (Rotimi, 2005). Ones values and aspiration is conditioned and structured by his academic excellence. Before the 1970’s, the socio-cultural environment of Nigeria was conservative and non-aggressive. According to Hornby (1995), tertiary means third in the order, rank or importance while tertiary education (at university or college level). The greatest asset to any society is her citizens and their various abilities. These abilities can be acquired through quality education (Thompson, 2000). Unfortunately, despite all concerted effort by the Federal Government to provide its citizens with quality education, the reverse is the case. Nigerian educational institutions are beset by many social vices. 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 schools due to the manner of operation is both sinister and bizarre living behind them a trial of destructions most distressing of the problem is the space of killing in our schools in recent times. Many lives have been terminated prematurely. The human carriage of supposed leaders of tomorrow is what is causing a lot of concern to both the government and the entire citizenry. Inspite of measures put in place by the various arms of government and social administrators aimed at combating the ugly trend of cultism. The phenomenon seems to be gaining more popularity and prominence on our secondary schools. What could be responsible for students belonging to the secret cult could it be that they want to acquire power, wealth or influence? Could it be influence fro the peer groups, could they be acquisition for protection, could it be that their parents influence them. The following are the research questions drawn which will lead to proper investigation to find solution to the problems of cultism in our secondary schools.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS   

Does acquisition for power, wealth influence students to be involved in cultism?

Does the influence of peer group a significant factor for joining cult?

Does the parent’s involvement in cultism influence children to join cult?

RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

H₀: acquisition of power and wealth does not influence students to be involved in cultism

H₁: acquisition of power and wealth does influence students to be involved in cultism

H₀: influence of peer group is not a significant factor for joining cult

H₂: influence of peer group is a significant factor for joining cult

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

This project work will be help to create awareness on the evils of secret cults in our institutions of learning as well as providing solutions to the problems, the only necessary ingredients are determination and constituency of the part of the authorities concerned to fight and uproot this social evils of cultism fro the schools system.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY 

On the completion of this project work. It will serve the purpose of guiding the individual in higher institutions into the school authorities and the government on how to find solutions to the prevailing problems of cultism in our schools. This study will provide in expository terms the causative factors that create the healthy climate that encourages the growth and spread of cultism in our institution or school. This will therefore provide planners and implementers of policies with the factors that influence cultism in schools. Factors known will enable them to combat cultism squarely and help eradicate the malaise that has become a canker worm in our secondary schools.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY    

This study will involve the total population of College of Education Ekiadolor Benin that is both the staff and the students of the College.

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.

ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This research work is organized in five chapters for easy understanding as follows Chapter one is concern with the introduction which consist of the (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research question, significance or the study, research methodology, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study it’s based thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion and recommendations made of the study.

 

 

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