Cultism in Our Higher Institutions By Bayo Adeniran

Bayo Adeniran

  Among social ills in our society is cultism, which unfortunately and, embarrassingly, thrives among pupils of primary schools and students in higher institutions of learning within the victim-society. Cultism breeds violence, drug addiction, moral laxity, intimidation as well as harassment of many innocent students and members of staff. This lawless and barbaric trend has gained much ground that, if it is not curbed headlong, it could successfully jeopardize the learning process in our institutions which is already suffering some reverses.

Whatever reasons or factors that might be adduced for the emergence of cultism in our society, what is pre-eminent is lack of good parental upbringing as well as evil communication among peers. Lawlessness and indiscipline are factors leading to this condemned act of cultism. Also, students who are victims of academic poverty, tend to seek ‘protection’ by enlisting their membership in cultism with the objective of harassing their teachers or lecturers, who might, eventually, be forced to award them pass mark against their conscience. In some cases, these dissident students resort to violence which would, invariably, lead to closure of their institutions. This would be to their joy because they are not prepared for the examination ahead of them.
It has also been established that quarrel over girl friends or boy friends lead some students to resolve to join this dastardly group of irresponsible cultists, possibly to take vengeance on their rivals. This ugly trend, which has deeply devoured the fabric of our society, should be brought under control in order to ensure a peaceful, progressive and sustainable society. As charity begins at home, there should be good parental upbringing of all children, with moral discipline ensured at every stage of their life. Parents, also, should be morally upright and abstain from any type of aiding and abetting their children’s misdemeanour. In addition, students’ learning system or process should be improved upon in order to allow learning to take place. Students should be, meaningfully, engaged in some of the institutions’ co-curricular activities, apart from academic work. Theses include debate, impromptu speeches and quiz competition.
This engagement will forestall creating any vacuum that might trap students in evil thoughts or deeds. It should also be noted that injustice in the school system, whereby victimization and malicious punishment thrive, could lead some students to find means of revenge. One of such means is joining cultism.
Finally, appropriate disciplinary measures should be meted out to erring students who are adjudged culpable for being cultists. Both authorities of the affected institutions and state government should be involved in prompt disciplinary measure so as to serve as deterrent to other students who might like to join the devilish and dangerous cult groups.