Impact Of Radio And Television Campaign Against Cultism In Nigeria

The impact of radio and television campaign on cultism in Nigerian cannot be undermined. Instead, it has gotten enough recognition in our society and beyond, because the extent at which campus cultism is increasing in Nigeria.
Tertiary institution of learning is alarming and year always grip the heart of Nigeria students who lives with one eye closed and the other widely open in alert. all in the name of not waiting to fall victim of the menace.
This study examined the role(s) the mass media can play in the fight against cultism. It also looked at the factors that motivate students into joining secret cults. The study was anchored on the Broad Theory of Learning propounded by Edwin Southerland (1983-1950). The survey research was used. Three Hundred and Sixty-seven (367) copies of the questionnaire were distributed to five (5) selected secondary schools in Abakaliki Urban. The findings of the study revealed that the mass media with their report and campaign can stern the tide of cultism in secondary schools. Also, it was discovered that most parents are less concerned about the activities of their children in schools based on these it was recommended that proper orientation and awareness programme must be conducted frequently by the media such programmes must bother on the negative impact of cultism. Parents should desist from luring their children into cults. They should pay attention to their children and know their friends and activities at all times.

Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study

The impact of radio and television campaign on cultism cannot be undermined. Instead, it has gotten enough recognition in our society and beyond, because the extent at which campus cultism is increasing baffles.

Tertiary institution of learning is alarming and year always grip the heart of the students who lives with one eye closed and the other widely open in alert. All in the name of not waiting to fall victim of the menace.

Since the formation of secret cult in Nigeria by same group of people led by professor Oluwole Soyinka, believe that it would be used to propagate peculiar idea, while every of their plans are kept in secret without revealing it to anyone now, the story has changed drastically. The once secret keeping god had now turned to secret cult of blood intimidation of learning across is so rampart and has been extend to same primary and secondary schools in Nigeria.

The growth of cultism in Nigeria has taken another dimension; the federal government through the parents, teachers and institution has put in so much effort to eradicate or to control the menace of cultism.

It is evident that the desire of power, peer group and family background are the major factors that influence its growth.

On the 8th of June 2016, there have being a war with so much bloodshed in Makurdi; report has it that about 7 cult members were killed in federal university of agriculture makurdi and three female student were raped.

Cultism has become a threat to the well-being of the student of Federal University of Agriculture, the people and the society. There have always being a spill-over of tension in the university environment and the streets in Makurdi; cultism has become a thing of inheritance in Makurdi local government of Benue State.

There have been series of strike in Federal University of Agriculture ranging from 2012 and 2016 as a result of cult activities.

According to (Enejo 2002: 237), stated that it has been conjectured that enough efforts have been put in by Nigerians as far as the fight against cultism is concerned but the efforts prove abortive.

The effect of the cult activities has been seen not only among the student"s academic performance but also on the lives of the student. Student prefer come a long distance away from school than to stay close due to this cult menace.

In this case, Radio and Television have a major role to play in campaigning against this deadly monster in Ebonyi state. However all other media agencies are not left out. One can only rely on both the radio and television in curbing the existence of cultism in our midst, because they present all progammes, adverts or jingles and some other things that could give a thought to the youths and they all reach every nooks craning of the country in information dissemination.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The evil which the existence of secret cult has done on our institutions of higher learning and its widespread in our secondary schools, has no doubt, called for a rethink. The dimension and magnitude of this problems caused by secret cult activities has become the talk of everybody at tea table, the church and even in government circles.

School authorities have employed measures ranging from rustication, expulsion; suspension and severe punishment to stem the tide of cultism, yet the ugly trend continue to spread like wide fire in our secondary schools. What strategies can the mass media employ in the fight against cultism in our schools with particular reference to selected secondary schools in Abakaliki urban secondary schools in Ebonyi State? That is the major concern of this study.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to find out the strategies of using the mass media in the fight against cultism in secondary schools in Abakaliki Urban.

Specifically, the study will find out:

To ascertain the role of the mass media in the fight against cultism

To determine the impact of secret cult activities on the academic performance of students in Abakaliki Urban.

To determine the ways of improving the media messages for best result in waging war against cultism.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The result of the study will be of immense benefit to school authorities and policies makers in the fight against cultism in our schools. The findings on the role of the media will also help media practitioners and establishments to understanding the proper method of disseminating information in the fight against cultism to achieve maximum impact. The government will also see the need to enact laws that will adequately punish secrets cult members as well as mapping out strategies of bringing them to book. Future researchers on similar topics on cultism will find this study very beneficial since it will serve as a source of information needed by them.

1.5 Research Questions

The study was guided by the following research questions

What role do the mass media play in the fight against cultism?

What is the impact of secret cult activities on the academic performance of students in Abakaliki Urban?

In what ways of improving the media messages for best result in waging war against cultism?

1.6 Scope of the Study

This research work will look at the definitions of cultism, it effect and way forward.

The role how far have radio and television have played to make sure that this monster called cultism is stamped out on our various across the country will also be discussed.

Five selected secondary schools in Abakaliki Urban of Ebonyi State was chosen as my case study on this research work.

One of the limitations of this research work is the aspect of finance and this is why I limited my selves to Abakaliki Urban Areas why using it to represent other higher institutions. Also, the report of this research is limited to Abakaliki Urban.

1.7 Definition of Term

Cultism:

A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader

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