I.
DEFINITION
OF TERMS
Sometimes
there are some terminologies that have dual meanings. In this research work,
there is a possible need to define “Cultism” and “Higher Institution” in order
to refer them to the main context of this work.
i.
Cultism:
According
to A.S. Hornby in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, “Cult is a small group
of people who have extreme religious beliefs and who are not part of any
established religion” (Hornby 2006, 357). Hornby in this definition tries to
express cultism to be a group of people that has its own religion and offers
their wholehearted worship and devotion to anything or anyone other than every
other established or recognised and accepted religion such as, Christianity,
Islam, Hinduism etc.
Despite
the fact that Hornby proves that cult is a religious group, sometimes, they
differ because, there are some of the branches of cultism that is refers to
secret cult. In this aspect, R. Ogunade defined it as,
An
enclosed organized association or group devoted to the same cause. It is an
enclosed group having an exclusive sacred ideology and a series of rites
centering around their sacred symbols. The members of the cult commit
themselves to oath and allegiance, which serves as their strong bond. This
group of people is always violent when defending their course (Ogunade 2002,
59).
Following
Ogunade’s view, this particular association do their practices secretly, and
the orientation that characterizes the thinking is somehow exclusive and
sacrosanct. They expletively bound themselves together and are out to strongly
resist their course. His definition deeply exposed how tough this particular
association looks like. There may be some spiritual engagements attached to
their belief and practices. The word Cultism may be referred to as the
formation of a group of initiates or adherent round the figure of a god, a
saint or even a living being. It may involve the practice of a particular
doctrine within the body of religious belief.
Finally,
Ogunbameru and Daodu see this issues as, “any form of organization whose
activities are not only exclusively kept away from the knowledge of others but
such activities are carried out at odd hours of the day and they often clash
with accepted norms and values of everyday life” (Ogunbameru 1997, 13). So in
this case, Cultist tends to be isolationist, very possessive, involve bizarre
rituals, and follow a religious system instituted by a person with a very
engaging personality. They institute a religious system that is contrary to the
recognised ones. At the same time, they make use of particular rituals, signs,
symbols and forms of knowledge which are withheld from non-initiates and these
things are regarded as a special source of power though being kept private.
ii.
Higher
Institution:
Due
to the vast meaning of the term “Institution” there is every need to define it
according to the context of the research topic. It is generally accepted that
institution is an organization founded and united for a specific purpose. In
this context, it remains the same but looking at the introduction, the term is so
specific. Higher institution as an organisation in this research work refers to
as University of any category, which may be college of education, Polytechnics,
Undergraduate and post graduate schools etc. It is a school of education
generally begin after high or secondary school, usually carried out at a
university or college.
II.
ORIGIN
AND SPREAD OF CULTISM IN NIGERIA HIGHER INSTITUTIONS
It
is believed that whatsoever that exist in the world today has a day of its
beginning. Scripturally, it is only God and Melchizedek the king of Salem that
no one knows their beginning.
Though
so many authors have written about the origin of Cultism in Nigeria Higher
Institution, but the more expressive one is written by T. Edun. He said,
What
is known as secret cult in tertiary institutions started at University
College, Ibadan in 1952. It was formed by Nigeria’s only Nobel laureate, Prof.
Wole Soyinka, Aig-Imoukhuede, Pius Oleghe, Ralph Opara, Nat Oyelola and Prof.
Muyiwa Awe. Their main objectives included: To abolish convention, to revive
the age chivalry, to end tribalism and elitism. Although the philosophical
foundation of this group could be appropriately located in the tales
of Treasure Island and the renaissance period of the fifteenth
century, their ideas were both patriotic and altruistic as it was not imagined
as a secret cult, but simply known as the Pirates Confraternity or
the National Association of Seadogs. Their objectives which revolved around the
maintenance of polite behaviour among people of different background and chivalry
portrayed the dreams of the Founders (Edun 1999, 3).
Following
Edun’s view, Cultism started in Nigerian institutions of higher learning with
the founding in 1952 of the Pirate Confraternity at the university college of
Ibadan. The common ideology which the founding fathers held in allegiance to
was the promotion of the dignity of the black man, some authors expressed that
the black man’s dignity was then seriously threatened by the discriminatory and
oppressive practices of the Colonial government and expatriates.
This
cult was formed because, according to the history, Nigeria in the 1940s and
1950s was on the verge of gaining political independence. The nationalistic
favour in the country gave a warning signal to the colonialists that the sun
was about to set on the British empire. Political parties sprang up in the
major centres of the country which raised political awareness and questioned
the continued stay of the colonialists in the country. Nigerian students were
not left out of this social change. They questioned the conscription of Kings’
college students into colonial army to fight in the World war II and eventually
created a conducive background for the emergence of the popular National
Council of Nigeria and Cameroons (NCNC). The idea of students was to respond to
the demands of the time, enhance cultural nationalism and fight the
tribalisation of politics which was given a boost by the Richards constitution
of 1946.
Cultism
in Nigeria Higher Institution was not born with a bad motive or bad intention;
it was as a result of fighting for justice and setting a lasting legacy. Wole
Soyinka as a prominent person and a lover of this great nation would not
institute whatever thing he knew that would be so hazardous to the future of
this nation.
To
show that the founding fathers of this very group acted with the vision of
founding such an organisation, T. Edun wrote, “Pirate Confraternity commanded
the respect and admiration of many people. Some years after the graduation of
the founding fathers, internal wrangling and power tussle began to rent the organization
as other similar organizations were formed such as Buccaneers, Eiye
confraternity in 1968, Black Axe 1970 and others” (Edun 1999, 5). Edun’s
expression indicated the kind of successful this very group was as at
beginning, especially in the time of the founding fathers. But it is said that,
when a man with vision is not available, the visionless man may take the lead,
but the focus may not be the same.
The
vision changed immediately after the graduation of the founding fathers of this
very organisation, some kinds of power intoxication began to manifest, to the
extent that it later resulted to the creation of some of other similar
organisations. Some other issues and mindsets began to spring out of these new
groups, even some individual problems led to the creation of some of the secret
cults. As S. A. Aje tries to identify some factors that caused secret cult in
Nigeria Institution which include, “economic handicap of some students in school,
ticket to abuse education that is, abuse of quota system, examination
malpractices and others, students’ politics, social recognition, unfettered heartlessness
and group protection” (Aje 2001, 29).
Sequel
to Aje’s view, Ogunsanya reported that “Cultism on campus emerged as a result
of social unacceptable behaviour of media explosion, importation of foreign
culture, the internet and junk magazine inclusive which overwhelm the Youths so
that they fall prey to their effect” (Ogunsanya 2000, 79). So, these students
joined the secret cults on the campuses in order to carry out terrorist
activities, perpetrate drug peddling on campuses and may be to act as
god-fathers, providing security service to new inititates, and generally
shielding from oppressive students and the perceived aggression and hostility
of their wicked lecturers
But
then, how did this very organisation spread to the extent of having some
grievous effects to the nation itself? Gathering from many views, the research
shows that the early nineties witnessed a boom as every university was plagued
with cult explosion such as the Black Axe, Black Cats, Trojan Horse, Black
Panthers, the Twelve Disciples, Mgba Mgba Brothers, Eiye, Maphites, Temple of
Eden, The Jurists, Klu Klux Klan, The Executioners, Black Beret, Dreaded friend
of friends, National Association of Adventurers, Black Scorpion, Eagle Club,
Termites, Red Sea Horses, Knight Cadet, Sonmen, White Angels, Amazons,
Daughters of Jezebel, and the Black Brassieres. So the horrorful and worrisome
dimension of Cultism this nation is witnessing in her higher institution came
out in view in early 1990s which many criminal activities including murder
arson, armed robbery and rape are frequently linked to their members, and lack
of discipline. To that extent therefore, many of the purported Cultists are
actually Gangsters or members of crime syndicates hiding under the umbrella of
certain Secret Cults or societies.
III.
EFFECTS
OF CULTISM IN NIGERIA HIGHER INSTITUTIONS
Indeed,
the institutions of higher learning which ought to be ideal places for the
training of minds have become war zones where cult groups unleash their terror
in the community. Though, the emergence of cult groups in our tertiary
institutions was not a result of divine disobedience, but a precipitate of
socio-economic conflicts, conflicts that were energized by the capitalist
character of our mode of production. Now, this had led to some devastations of
life and properties, some futures have been terminated due to the menace of
cultism in Nigeria higher institutions.
According
to U. K. Ogbu, “Cultism is an evil association which puts bondage on its
members and denies them of personal liberty. The share imagination of cultism
is evil” (Ogbu 2001, 19). Of a truth, looking at Ogbu’s view, Cultists kill and
maim. They have no lofty objective, and the only language they express very
well is “violence”.
J. F. Egbule reported that,
In the event of fighting rival groups, they kill one another. Parents, relations and friends lose loved ones. Parents
who had spent all their resources to bring up their children and wards for
dependence at old age live the remaining part of their lives unhappy,
frustrated and full of regrets. Cultists when identified are rusticated for years
and in most cases are expelled from their institutions. All school authorities
and the federal government outlaw cultism. The expelled cultists end up as
drop-outs from school. Their lives thereafter are ruled by unfulfilled dreams
(Egbule 2006, 91).
Egbule’s report shows that Cultism in Nigeria institutions have
led to frustration of many lives despite the huge amount of money wasted for
their university training, some of
the drop-outs become armed robbers, prostitutes and drug-peddlers. The society suffers
in terms of fall in morals. Identified
cultists lose credibility in the eyes of the entire school community. Many
reasonable people may not want to identify with them. They are often isolated
and never given any position which demands a lot of trust and dignity. This stigma
remains with them for a very long time, even till death. Cultists apprehended
by security operatives are treated as criminals, like armed robbers. They are
killed like animals and their corpses displayed with no respect which a normal human
being would have deserved, and they lose their individuality and liberty to
live normal life.
Coming to the effects on the institution itself, it is
discovered that Some cult clashes are so catastrophic
that loss of infrastructure and other resources will be colossal and eventually
the funds that would have been expended on the provision of other facilities
and infrastructure on the campus will be used in replacing the damaged ones.
The concomitant result of the waste of capital is reduction of the quality and
quantity of education as there will not be enough money to purchase the
necessary learning equipment nor to cater for the education of many.
Furthermore, the news of such an evil practice destroys the image of the school
to the extent that people may be seeing it as a den of immorality.
A. Onodarho wrote on some influence on the nation as a whole by
saying that “Cult members in Nigeria Higher Institution seriously abuse drugs.
Indian hemp, cocaine, heroin, alcohol and so on are freely shared and used in
their meetings. It is under the influence of these drugs that they seem to do
all the killings without any human feeling and remorse” (Onodarho 1999, 30).
Sequel to what Onodarho wrote, rape and all forms of sexual abuses are common
practices among cult members. They expose themselves to HIV infection and also
spread HIV to innocent persons. This is because they frequently organise sex
parties.
Another
effect people do under emphasise is that cult problems like killing, extortion,
rape, and maiming, stealing and other social vices in our tertiary institutions
have permanently imprinted in the mind of the average Nigeria. Lecturers who
insist on merit for passing exams are openly attacked and disgracefully beaten
up or sometimes killed, thus paving way for the free reign of fear, violence
and a palpable feeling of insecurity.
IV.
THE
RESPONSES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHURCH TOWARDS CULTISM IN NIGERIA HIGHER
INSTITUTION
Cultism
is a social crime and the activities of cultists are sometimes laden with
blood. Through the cultist’s activities, many lives have been lost, many people
maimed and many students have been rusticated. Some people have openly declared
that cultism is as worst as armed robbery. Churches in Nigeria did not relax
over it, they have responded positively to it in order to eradicate it or at
least, to curb it. The church did not fail to teach the Biblical truth toward
cult practice and exposing the dangers that come after it.
According
to Monthly News Letter Magazine produced by the Anglican Diocese of Amichi
titled “Sure Anchor News”. A post by the Magazine editor on the topic “Eradicating
Corruption in Our Tertiary Institution” declares that. The editor tries to
convince the readers that Cultism is like devoting someone’s heart and mind to
the manipulation of the Devil. The editor wrote,
It
is not that our children in Higher Institutions are not aware that such evil
exists, but the god of this age has blindfolded their eyes... The enemy has
stolen their mind in order to frustrate their future... It is only when they
may allow the Spirit of God to penetrate and convince their heart, then their
deliverance is assured. It is the same Christ that died for us all (Chukwuemeka
2010, 3)
Churches
in Nigeria have followed and are still following other approaches in response
to the issue at hand. Some approaches like;
a. Creating
awareness in the institutions that Jesus alone is the way
Due
to the fact that many students join cult in order to guide and guard
themselves, and some thinking that it is the best solution to all their school problems,
Churches in Nigeria have been trying their possible best to convince the
students that Jesus alone is the way, the truth and the life. They do this by
writing and spreading fliers written on that subject. Pastor Iduko M. G. of
redeemed church of God Akure quarter responding to an interview by David
Madubuko on “the responses of the church towards some violence caused by Cult
students in Nigeria Higher Institutions” said, “It cost us over five hundred
thousand naira per year... but the joy in our hearts is that after everything,
we see the results more than we expected” (Madubuko 2006, 41).
This
indicates that the church, through this avenue create awareness to the school,
convincing them and winning many for Christ.
b. Church
Planting in the campuses and other areas.
Taking
Federal Polytechnic Oko for example; There are about four churches within the
campus and many churches and fellowship quarters in almost all the areas where
students live, at least one of us researchers who have served in one of these
churches confessed that indeed, those churches are doing marvellous works and
their denominational leaders do send ministers who are spiritually loaded and
highly intellectual having in mind that it is a big task.
Dr.
Marvellous Otubong decodes the secret behind his ministry in Federal University
of Port-Harcourt. He said
The
secret behind my ministry in Uniport is that, I was seriously tortured by the
cultist when I was a student of this institution. Despite all they could do, I
refused to give up because I had a covenant with my God on the day of my
matriculation. But on my graduation day, God spoke to me... that he is sending
me back to the institution as an instrument of revival...(Otubong 1988, 63).
Dr.
Odubong was one of the persons that planted an individual church in Uniport,
his book expressed very well the need that church of today and other Christian
organisations will rise against the corruption and other evil practices that
are in the high rate in Nigeria Higher Institutions.
c. Advice
the Government and Protest when necessary
The
church had responded positively in a more serious way, by putting their efforts
to advice the Government on how to handle the students of higher institutions
in order to desist from spoiling the image of this nation. In response to this,
in the communiqué from the standing committee of the church of Nigeria
(Anglican Communion), The Most Revd. Nicholas D. Okoh, Archbishop, Metropolitan
and Primate of All Nigeria, said,
The
ogre of corruption continues to roam free in Nigeria higher institution and has
taken virtually everything from us leaving us with little consolation. It has
taken from Nigerians the respect and honour that they deserve from other
nations... Corruption is pervasive in the lecture rooms, laboratory rooms,
school block or hostels, on the high ways, and even in the sports arena. We
must remove this monster from our land. We call Nigeria citizens, religious
leaders and levels of governments to resist this ogre and intensify the war
against corruption to save and secure a better and more fruitful future for
Nigeria. (Mgbemena ed. 2011, 56).
The
church will go ahead as this is one of her responsibility by advising the
government to make some laws against this evil practice. They should remind the
government to have a definite legislation that will give a death sentence to
anybody found guilty of cult activities in the campuses, or a very severe
punishment to the person. They should advice that moral education should be
made compulsory in the primary and secondary institution in this country
because it is believed that when someone’s faith is deep-rooted in God, he will
hardly accept to join such evil gangs. Finally, the church should put
suggestion that Cultism and its consequences should be treated in the General
Studies courses in all tertiary institutions in the country.
d. Organizing
seminars and other related gatherings for Higher Institutions by Christian
Association of Nigeria.
As
of this date, a lot of information manuals have displayed the input of CAN
(Christian Association of Nigeria) dealing with the issue of cultism in the
Nigeria Higher institutions and other organizations in order to safeguard the
future of Nigeria youths and the spiritual life of students. They have
organised some kinds of seminars and conferences teaching against it and alerting
the minds of the students on the dangers of indulging in such a game.
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