Implications Of Cultism Amongst Undergraduates
(Case Study Of University Of Science And Technology)
The issue of cultism among undergraduates is a pressing concern within the academic community, fostering an environment where academic pursuits are overshadowed by clandestine activities. The ramifications are profound and extend beyond the confines of educational institutions, permeating societal structures. The insidious nature of cult activities jeopardizes not only the safety of students but also the integrity of the educational system. The repercussions encompass a spectrum of challenges, including compromised campus security, erosion of ethical values, and hindrance to the holistic development of individuals. Moreover, the intertwining of cultism with academic pursuits introduces an unsettling dynamic, impeding the free exchange of ideas and fostering an atmosphere of fear and coercion. Institutions grapple with the intricate task of mitigating these challenges, necessitating comprehensive strategies that address the root causes, promote a culture of inclusivity, and fortify the moral fabric of the academic community.
This study was set out to investigate cultism in tertiary institutions; implications on the society. The area of study is Enugu State University of science and Technology (ESUT) situated at Agbani in Nkanu West Local Government. The Objective of the investigation was to expose the activities of cultists in tertiary institutions and the implications or negative effect it has on the society. Nine hundred (900) students were selected from the nine (9) faculties in ESUT, these (900) students were randomly selected and the order of selection is one hundred (100) from each faculty. The instrument used was a questionnaire which was divided into two (2) parts. Part (A) is the personal data while part (B) is a fifteen (15) item questions which was developed by the researchers from the research questions. Total of (900) copies of questionnaire were distributed, out of this number; eight hundred and seventy (870) were successfully completed and returned while thirty (30) were lost. From the result, it was found out that:
1. Cultism increase the rate of criminal activities and assassination.
2. Cultism leads to academic disturbance.
3. Cultism leads to denial of right and freedom of movement.
Bearing in mind that cultism has eaten deep into the fabrics of our nation; all hands should be on deck to fight against cultism in Nigeria. It was recommended that the parents, churches, teachers, guidance and counselors and the government should put hands together to eradicate this cultism.
Title page i
Approval page ii
Dedication iii
List of tables iv
Acknowledgement v
Abstract vi
CHAPTER ONE
Background of the study 1
Statement of study 8
Purpose of the study 9
Significance 10
Scope of study 11
Research question 12
CHAPTER TWO
Literature review 13
How the cultists organize their meetings 13
Reasons for joining cult 14
Peer group influence 14
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Design of the study 24
Area of the study 25
Population of the study 25
Sample and sampling techniques 27
Instrument for data collection 28
Validation of instrument 29
Administration of the instrument and collection 30
Method of data analysis 30
Decision rule 31
CHAPTER FOUR
ANALYSIS OF DATA AND RESULT
Table 1: research question 1 32
Table 2: research question 2 34
Table: research question 3 36
Summary of the findings 38
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION
Discussion of the findings 40
Implications of the findings 42
Recommendation of findings 42
Summary of the research work 44
References 45
Appendix I 47
Appendix II 48
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
In recent times, cultism in tertiary institutions in our country has increased tremendously; it is one of the social crimes committed in the institutions of higher learning.
Cultism according to Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary is defined as a small group of people who have extreme religious beliefs and who are not part of any established religion. Ogunade (2002) defined cultism as an enclosed organized association or group devoted to the same issue. It is an enclosed group having an exclusive sacred symbols he continued.
Secret cult members commit themselves to oath and allegiance which serves as their strong bond.
Maquet (2001 defined cultism as a close association and cult group with closed membership.
The salvation Army cry (2009) sees cultism as a society of sinful men that carryout sinful activities. This means that they commit such sins as murder, rape, greed, fornication, robbery, disobedience and the likes.
Abel (1994) defined cultism as a gathering or groups of people who share the same believes that are known only to the.
The Nigeria police crime report (2003) opined that cultism is a group of lawless hood lums who are bent on civil unrest highest institutions and the nations. Ogubameru (1997) equally saw cultism as any form of organization whose activities are not only exclusively kept away from the knowledge of others but such activities are allied out at odd hours of the day and key after clash with accepted norms and values of every day life.
The activities of these cult men and women are not only carried out at odd time but are deadly. According to Okorochca (2008), the activities of cultists in our society is speedily accelerating while ethnical, moral and other meads of restraining it seem static or accelerating showily. In our society cultism has become the roder of the day, kids ad adults are members of different cult groupsw which releases irreparable treat of disrespect, dishumility, intimidation and so on the youths, families and the society at large. The clandestine carried out by these groups are enormous and unacceptable by the society. The damage this act of satanic activities has on our society is better imagined than seen with its reign of terror. Also the activities or these cultists have caused a set back in the academic calendar of tertiary institutions.
There is no area of our education management that has not been deeply troubled by these cultists activities. Again the falling standards of education and solutions to examination malpractices have their bearing on the development and existence of cultism in tertiary institution devoted to human development stands fro.
Moreover, it is note of worthy as reported by Ikoku (1999) thus, a high percentage of, students suspected to belong to this organization came from a well to do families; they are not high academic performers but they seek for social power in the campus setting. Many of these cults are not officially recognized, most of their notorious activities are carried out in the night and because of this, it is difficult to identify members of the groups of their officials, they are equally under oath of secrecy, members are warned not to reveal their identify to others ( non members).
Unfortunately, tertiary institutions environment which is suppose to be a place of idea for the training of mind has surprisingly become war zones where cult groups unleash their terror in the community. These groups were banned by law of God and the land hence they are they are regarded as idol worshippers.
Cult activities pass a great threat to the educational, social, economic and overall development of this nation and when the things are destroyed, the national tends to fall.
Secret cult or secret cult activities did not just emerge in the tertiary institutions, it stared from some where;
Ognuade (2002) asserted that secret cult activities in the tertiary institutions started as fraternities with the sole aim of maintaining law and order of addressing acts of injustice, victimization and other issues capable of disturbing the peaceful atmosphere of the institutions and the society at large, one of the ways by which the achieved their aims is through their various vices in the campuses.
In 1952 he continued, the pyrates confraternity (also known as seadogs) was formed at the university of Ibadan as a protest student group.
According to Adigwu (1999), the students protests were against the coat and attitude of sigma. The pyrate, being the first known social club in any Nigeria university saw their mode of dressing as typical example of colonial mentality and therefore, adopted motto “swarn enemies of convention” a position which portrayed them as a radical student group. The group also acted as a corrective organs of students union. In this regard, they fought against all forms of injustice perpetuated either by the university authority or by the students union government. The pyrates have also done well in academics, apart from having the first Nobel Laureate from Africa, they produced distinguished academicians all round the globe. The university of Ibadan saw the confraternities as part of the university tradition. They actually made the Reg days” colourful.”
In Nigerian universities to day and in other tertiary institutions, there is a drastic change. This started in 1982 with the emergence of the Black Axe movement (also known as new black Axe movement) from the university of Benin. The group of this black Axe movement does exactly the opposite of what the groups of pyrate confraternities were known of thereby causing lots of damages in our tertiary in institutions.
Statement of problem
We observed that cultism prevails in our educational institution and mostly in tertiary institutions. Again cultism has eaten deep into the fabric of our youths including those in the secondary schools and those in tertiary institutions.
For instance, on February 2009, a law student of Enugu State University of Science and technology was killed by the members of Black Axe at Agbani, this makes law students not to study for about three weeks and police were located at every place to get information surrounding the incidence.
Again, a third year students of Imo State University was arrested with a syringe filled with acid, small axe and a locally made pistol.
Mr. Ugwu an evening program student of federal polytechnic Nekede was reported by his lecturer for pointing a gun at him. The student confessed that his girl friend threatened to kill him if he refuses to join her in the club which led to the expulsion of the girl from the school .
A final year student of Enugu State University of science and technology was killed at no 30 Amah streed Achara layout Enugu because he wanted to dissociate himself from membership of the cultism.
It is on this account of incessant assassinations of people especially the youths and the destruction of public properties and bridge of public peace that it becomes essential to investigate the implications of cultism on the society at large.
Purpose of the study
The study is set generally to find out the implications of cultism on the society; specifically the study intends to find out whether cultism;
1. Increase the rate of criminal activities and assassination.
2. Leads to academic disturbance and distractions.
3. Leads to the denial of right and freedom of movement.
Significance of study
The people that should benefit from the study are;
1. Students
2. Educational administrators
3. Members of the society
Each of them will benefit in the following ways:-
• The study will highlight the dangers associated with cultism and make students to void joining cult.
• The study report may serve as reference document to be consulted by students in similar research are topic, among other. Educational administrations;
• It will help the educational administrators to be on guard against cultism.
• It may be used as a useful material by educational administrators in developing policies that may discourage students from enrolling in cultism, and so on.
Members of the society
• The study will also help the members of the society to be on guard against cultism, and so on.
1.5 SCOPE OF STUDY
This study would have been better if carried out on a larger scale, but due to the limited of time and financial resources for the work, the study was carried out only on Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).
1.6 RESEARCH QUESTION?
1) To what extent does cultism increase the rate of criminal activities and assassination in ESUT?
2) To what extent does cultism lead to academic disturbance in ESUT?
3) To what extent does cultism lead to denial of right and freedom of movement in ESUT?
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Implications Of Cultism Amongst Undergraduates Students Of University Of Science And Technology
Cultism, also known as campus cults or secret societies, is a significant social issue in many universities, including the University of Science and Technology. These groups often engage in illegal activities and pose various threats to the safety, well-being, and academic environment of the university. Here are some implications of cultism among undergraduate students:
Violence and Physical Harm:
Cult groups are often associated with violence, which can lead to injuries and even fatalities among students. Rival cult clashes can result in shootouts, stabbings, and other forms of physical harm.
Loss of Lives:
The most severe consequence of cultism is the loss of lives. Cult clashes and reprisal attacks can result in fatalities, leaving families devastated and communities in mourning.
Fear and Intimidation:
The presence of cults on campus creates a climate of fear and intimidation. Students and faculty may be reluctant to report cult-related activities due to fear of reprisals, leading to a culture of silence.
Academic Disruption:
Cult-related violence and intimidation can disrupt academic activities. Students may miss classes, exams, or assignments due to fear or incidents on campus.
Deterioration of Campus Culture:
Cultism erodes the sense of community and trust among students. It can lead to a culture of suspicion and hostility on campus, hindering healthy social interactions and academic collaboration.
Degradation of Moral Values:
Cults often require their members to engage in immoral and illegal activities, which can erode the moral values of students involved. This can lead to a cycle of criminal behavior and social deviance.
Negative Public Image:
Universities with a reputation for cult-related issues may suffer from a negative public image. This can deter potential students, faculty, and investors, affecting the university’s growth and development.
Legal Consequences:
Cult activities are illegal, and members can face legal consequences if caught by law enforcement agencies. This can result in imprisonment, fines, and criminal records that affect their future prospects.
Psychological Trauma:
Students who are victims of cult-related violence or intimidation may suffer from psychological trauma, which can affect their mental health and overall well-being.
Impact on Future Careers:
Involvement in cult activities can have long-lasting repercussions on students’ future careers. Employers may hesitate to hire individuals with a history of cultism due to concerns about their behavior and ethics.
Drain on University Resources:
Universities may need to allocate resources for security measures and counseling services to address the challenges posed by cultism, diverting funds away from educational and research endeavors.
To address the implications of cultism among undergraduate students, universities must take proactive measures to combat these issues. This includes implementing robust security measures, promoting a culture of reporting, conducting awareness campaigns, and fostering an environment that encourages students to engage in positive and constructive activities. Additionally, collaboration between universities, law enforcement agencies, and the community is essential to combat cultism effectively.