CULTISM 

Cultism is a ritual practice done by different groups of people whose activities are exclusively meant for its member and are done in secret. Everything about it operations is carried out at odd hours of the day. 

Cultism has become a major social problem in Nigeria especially in our schools. The youth are easy prey to the activities of these cult groups. Activities of these cult groups include initiation, ritual killing, rape, drug abuse, examination malpractice, armed robbery, etc. 

BRIEF HISTORY OF CULTISM IN NIGERIA 

Cultism in Nigeria has been traced to the pirate confraternity (sea dogs) founded at the Nigerian's premier university, (University of Ibadan) by professor Wole Soyinka and his friends in 1952. Their mission was not to kill, rather fight colonisation to find a lasting solution to the problems of tribalism and elitism to fight against the unacceptable convention of dress etiquettes and behaviour etc. Their discussions were done open and are based on dialogue. But today cult members have killed many people both within and outside our higher institution. 

CAUSES OF CULTISM 

1. Faulty upbringing 

2. Poor social life 

3. Peer group influence 

4. Social-emotional and psychological pressure 

5. Drug abuse and addictions. 

6. Social injustice resulting from bad leadership. 

EFFECT OF CULTISM 

1. The use and abuse of hard drugs

2. Murder and ritual killing

3. The use of firearms to intimidate and frustrated member of the public 

4. Breakdown of social values 

5. Increase in school drops out 

SOLUTION TO CULTISM 

1. Parents should train their children with the fear of God 

2. Parent should constantly monitor the behaviour of their children and the type of friends they keep 

3. The law enforcement agencies should prosecute confirmed cultist within a specific time limit

4. Government should ban every form of cultism both within and outside our schools. 

5. Schools authorities especially the private schools should be bold enough to dismiss any student or teacher found to be a cult member 

6. Government should ensure that those cultist granted amnesty are rehabilitated and engaged in  skill acquisition programme