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Cultism, Conflicts & Violence In Our Institutions Of Learning
by:
Mr. Lawrence Stephen Oboh
Executive Director /Founder
The Unarmed Youth (TUY)
A paper presented at the one-month seminar in
Secondary schools in Lagos and Ogun State.
November, 2004.

INTRODUCTION :
People come together as a group, or are connected in a particular way for the purpose of achieving a common objective. Our institutions of learning are groups set up to gain knowledge of ( a subject) or skill in (an activity) especially through experience and through being thought. Standard of behaviour are expected of the members of any group and same applies to our institutions of learning. The behaviour of a member is said to be appropriate acceptable and socialized, when the behaviour meets the set standard. But, when the behaviour of a member fails to meet the set standard, it is said to be abnormal, unacceptable, inappropriate or anti-social. The forms of behaviour that are acceptable to most groups include friendliness, co-operation, honesty, hospitality, integrity, justice, diligence, humility, self -control, modesty, transparency etc. In our institutions of learning today, the most unpleasant, inappropriate, anti-social behaviour are the activities of secret cults. The activities of these cult members, include examination malpractice, violence, destruction of property, murder, stealing, rape, arson, and illegal possession of arms ammunitions. For the purpose of this seminar, we shall limit ourselves to cultism, violence and conflicts as they affect our institutions of learning. Cultism:
A cult can be seen as a group of people that are devoted to a particular cause. In real sense, cult per se is not evil, it is rather the anti-social behaviour of its members that make it to be evil and cause concern to society. In Nigeria, cultism could be traced to the late 40?s.
The first secret cult in Nigeria came into existence in 1952 when a group of seven students of the University of Ibadan (UI) led by now renowned Professor Wole Soyinka, founded the Sea Dogs Confraternity (a. k. a Pyrate). When the cult was set up, the aim was to fight colonialism, ensure the dignity of man and to eradicate elitism in Nigeria. They were also involve in humanitarian activities such as blood donation to hospitals, to save life, presentation of gift to orphanages, motherless babies homes, etc. Cultism in Nigeria institution of learning since the 80?s has turned to something else. Due to disagreement and conflict of interest between members of the cult group, hatred and confusion overtook their objective. This led to division and formation of different cult groups. Today we have cult groups like: Buccaneer, Vikings, Malcom X, Black Axe, Eiye, Maphite, Daughters of Jezebel, Black Brassier etc. One of the founding fathers of the Pyrate Confraternity, Olumuyiwa Awe, once said, ?Everything we did then was healthy, firm, harmless and above board?. What we see now is different i.e. rivalry, violence, killing and blood shed in the Nigeria institutions of learning. It must be noted that one issue that has made it difficult to deal with cult members is the secrecy of the cult groups. Remove the stigma on cult and accept it as a legitimate group to hide their identity. Institutions should encourage secret cults to register like any other society or club in the University, operate openly and engage in legitimate activities. It is when this is done that cult members can be properly monitored and punished for anti-social activities without necessary handing them over to the law enforcement agent. As a member of these groups you are faced with: 1. Rustication, 2. Expulsion, 3. Death, 4. Bondage 5. Fear, 6. Drugs, etc. Conflicts and violence: We are going to look at these two subjects together, because conflicts can result to violence, if not properly checked. Conflict can be seen as disagreement or misunderstanding between two or more forces with each trying to assert their position over the other. It is also opposition or differences in interest. Violence is the use of extreme force in action or feeling that is dangerous, to assert position over another. The causes of conflict in our institution of learning are:
1. frustration,
2. Mistrust,
3. Different perceptions,
4. Lack of understanding,
5. Lack of information,
6. Communication breakdown (poor channels and lack)
7. Lack cooperation
8. Selfishness and greed.
9. Educational injustice
10. Human right issues
11. Ignorance
12. Struggle for (access to and control of) resources
13. Complex of superiority etc.
Violence in our institution of learning is usually in the form of violent protest, destruction of property, arson, illegal use of arms and ammunitions, campus terrorism and lawlessness, maiming killing spree etc. The best method of checking and controlling violence in our institutions of learning is by conflict resolution. The peaceful tools for conflict resolution are:
Mediation,
Consultation,
Negotiation,
Dialogue,
Education and Awareness,
Empowerment,
Forgiveness and Justice,
Reparation /Compensation,
Tolerance,
Good Governance,
Democracy,
Efficient and Effective Communication /Information,
Direct Confrontation, etc.
CONCLUSION:
Mr. Kola, A father of two, needed money to pay his children school fees because the kids had been sent home from school. He could not get from his friends and relatives and so decided to visit a blood bank. He went to the blood bank and told the medical doctor in charge, that he would like to donate blood so as to get some money to pay his children school fees. What more can our parents do for us than to provide the best for our education even to go to the length of donating their blood? What then do we have to pay them in return? If you are a parent and has gone to this length as Mr. Kola above, only for your child to come home one day and tell you he has been rusticated or expelled from school because of his involvement in anti-social activities, how would you feel? REFLECT on these and keep the answers to yourself. Let's make for ourselves a better future. Thanks.
References:
Owuamanam D.O. (1999) A Multi-dimensional approach to combating cultism and other anti-social behaviour in an African University. A paper presented at the symposium to mark African University Day celebration, University of Ado-Ekiti Nigeria.
Report on African Youth for a Culture of Peace Training - Conference, Franschhoek, Cape Town, South Africa: 30 June - 7 July 2001. Cultism in Nigerian Higher Educational Institutions. Report by Oboh Bonny in the Manager Trumpet, Official Magazine of NUAMBS, University of Abuja 2002 - 2003.
Oxford Collocation Dictionary for Students of English (2002).
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English New Edition.
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