Civic Education SS 1 Curriculum Guides – Cultism

THEME – CULTISM 

TOPIC 1 – CULTISM 

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

1. Textbook

2. Photographs

3. News paper/magazine cuttings

4. Video clips

5. Resource persons

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define and explain the meaning of cultism.

2. identify the different cult groups and their symbols.

3. state the origin and reasons for cult groups.

4. explain the consequences of cultism.

5. discuss the preventive measures against cultism.

CONTENTS OF THE LESSON

FOCUS LESSONS 

1. Meaning of cultism.

2. Different cult groups especially those in the school e.g Black Axe, Buccaneers, Eiye etc.

3. Origin and reasons for establishing and joining cult.

4. Consequences of cult, e.g. expulsion, violence, murder, spiritual problems etc.

5. Preventive measures against cultism e.g abiding in rules and regulation, studying hard in school, faith in God as protector and provider.

LESSON NOTES

MEANING OF CULTISM

Cultism is the association of people whose membership and activities are done secretly.

Cultism is also known as secret cult.

The members are committed to their oath and allegiance as strong belief and faith in one another.

DIFFERENT CULT GROUPS IN NIGERIAN SCHOOLS

1. Black Axe

2. Buccaneers

3. Eiye

4. Pyrates

5. Buccaneer

6. Neo-Black Movement of Africa

7. Vikings

8. Mafia and lately

9. Daughters of Jezebel

9. Black Braziers

ORIGIN AND REASONS FOR ESTABLISHING AND JOINING CULT

The formation of secret societies is not a recent development in the annals of Nigeria history. In the world history, there were secret cults that had existed and operated in Egypt, Greece and Rome and other parts of the world. Also, there was historical evidence that there were secret societies in Africa before even the advent of colonialism.

What is common to all cult groups are oath of secrecy, clandestine activities and desperate pursuit of goals and unlawful possession of dangerous weapons.

Coming to Nigeria, history traced the origin of cultism in tertiary institution to 1952 at the then university college lbadan when seven students acted as the pioneers.

The story of how pyrate confraternity was formed at the University College Ibadan now university of Ibadan was confirmed by Prof. Muyiwa Awe, one of the seven pioneers of pyrate confraternity in The Punch Newspaper of Monday, 17th May, 2004 (P16).

As a matter of fact, pyrate confraternity which was pioneered and promoted by Wole Soyinka, Ralph Opara, Olumuyiwa Awe, Ikphere Aig Imonkuede, Pius Olegbe, Nathaniel Oyelola and Ifagbale Amater was known for intellectual approach to issues rather than violence.

The pyrates of Wole Soyinka’s days at The University of Ibadan were deeply involved in nationalist struggle. Indeed, the aim of pyrate at the initial stage was to fight imperialism, foster justice and to preserve Africa customs and traditions.

Shortly after independence, student confraternity become derailed from the original path of fighting against oppression, exploitation and social injustice.

Surprisingly, what started as intellectual platform eventually become known and associated with violence and members were deeply involved in drunkenness, excessive smoking, brutality, drug abuse, maiming, rape and killing of innocent students. No responsible person will love to be associated with cultists because of the dangers inherent in cultism.

Besides, Eiye confraternity also started as a mere friendship group at Nnamdi Azikwe Hall of the University of Ibadan in 1965 and the group transformed to Eiye confraternity after the founding members had graduated in 1972.

As time went on, more groups began to spring up and the development eventually led to bitter rivalry among student confraternities. Of course, this is the beginning of cult classes, maiming and killings in tertiary institution campuses. With the proliferation of cult groups, a lot of bad characters are being recruited and the objectives are no longer noble.

The battle for supremacy among the cult groups and desire to dominate each other are part of reasons why dangerous weapons are employed to settle scores by the cult groups. Some of the weapons used by the cult groups include gun, axe, bottles, knives, cutlasses, juju, rituals etc.

There is also a widely held belief that cult members are children of the elite or high ranking personalities. They normally have sponsors in government circle and among top politicians.

Reference – Cultism in Nigeria

REASONS FOR JOINING AND ESTABLISHING CULTISM

1. Protection

2. Power

3. Revenge

4. Low self-esteem

5. Peer influence

CONSEQUENCES OF CULT

1. Expulsion

2. Violence

3. Murder

4. Spiritual problems

5. Mental disorder

6. Temporary and permanent injuries, etc.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST CULTISM

1. Abiding in rules and regulation

2. Studying hard in school

3. Faith in God as protector and provider.

LESSON PRESENTATION

TEACHER’S ACTIVITIES

The teacher,

1. defines and explains cultism.

2. lists the different cult groups and their symbols.

3. explains the origin and reasons for cultism.

4. analyzes the consequences of cultism.

5. leads students on ways to prevent cultism.

 

 

STUDENT’S ACTIVITIES

The students,

1. define and explains cultism.

2. name the different cult groups and their symbols.

3. state the origin and reasons for cultism.

4. mention the consequences of cultism.

5. discuss ways of preventing cultism.

LESSON EVALUATION

Students to,

1. define and explain cultism

2. list the different cult groups and their symbols.

3. state the origin and reasons for cultism.

4. enumerate the consequences of cultism.

5. discuss how they will prevent cultism.