Origin of Cultism in Nigeria

Origin of Cultism in Nigeria:

Cultism can be defined as an enclosed and united group of people bonded by the same belief and course.

An individual involved in cultism is referred to as a cultist; and such is said to belong to a cult. Since their meetings and other related activities are done in the hidden (and away from non-members), their members are thus considered to be in a secret cult.

Please read on the reasons why people join cults here.

It all began in 1952 when Wole Soyinka (now a professor and Nobel price winner) and six of his friends decided to distinguish themselves from every other student in the prestigious University of Ibadan.

They called themselves the 'pyrates' and 'magnificent seven'.

They had the motto 'against all conventions'; with the logo of a skull and two limbs bone crossed in the form of 'X'.

Please read on the characteristics of cultism here.

Photo of the Magnificent Seven

At that time, many of the students in the university were children of the elite. They showed this in their stylish and extravagant lifestyles. As usual, the poor students were always behind in terms of their dressing, fashion. and charisma.

In the course of distinguishing themselves, the pyrates (magnificent seven) also intended to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. In addition, they had the aim of promoting social justice within the university judiciary system.

You can read on the meaning and objective of social studies here.

The pyrates showed high standards and discipline in their actions; and for this reason, they became popular and respected.

Many students took interest in becoming a member of the pyrates but were denied acceptance due to their unbendable rules and standard; although a few male students with potentials were granted membership regardless their tribe.

Please read on values in civic education here.

For a long time, the pyrates were successful in regards to their vision and accomplishment until 1972 when a disagreement arose between the top members of the group. Eventually, one of the top members named Dr. B. Carew was expelled because he was considered to have gone against the standard of the pyrates.

Please read on conflicts and causes of conflicts here.

Due to the expulsion of Dr. B. Carew, the pyrates changed its name to 'National Association of Sea Dogs' by registering it with the ministry of internal affairs, Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Dr. B. Carew went ahead to establish the Buccaneers which he registered with the name 'National Association of Sea Dogs'. This is a similar name the pyrates had taken.

The National Association of Sea Dogs (that of the pyrates) maintained their academic and intellectual standard, thus were not able to recruit much students; although they still carried out expulsions on members who broke their rules and standards.

Please read more on reputation here.

These acts of theirs (expulsion of members) led to the formation of other groups.

• The Supreme Eiye Confraternity, also referred to 'National Association of Air Lords' was formed in 1975 at the University of Ibadan.

The Eiye had an aim of preserving the culture of the Yoruba land. They were considered to be a cultural association at that time.

They had the motto 'No Feather, No Bird'. The term 'Eiye' in Yoruba language means bird.

• The Black Axe Confraternity also referred to as 'The Neo-Black Movement of Africa' was formed in University of Benin, Edo State.

• It was in 1983 that students of the University of Calabar founded the Eternal Fraternal Order of the Legion Consortium (the Klan Confraternity).

• Within a year, the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also referred to as 'The Adventurers or De Norsemen Club' came into being.

Note: The military regime at that time encouraged violent activities from these fraternities.

Please read on dictatorship | military rule as forms of government here.

After General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) took over the government via a coup, tensions within the country were raised. As a result, these fraternities were used as agents to check on the Student Union Government (SUG) and staff of the various universities who were in opposition to the military rule during his regime.

Please read on pressure group here.

During this time, Wole Soyinke made an open declaration that the National Association of Sea Dogs should no longer operate within the campus of any Nigerian University.

Meanwhile, the various confraternities present at that time used the weapons that were granted them during the military regime to fight deadly battles amongst themselves with the ultimate aim of gaining supremacy over one another.

Please read on the consequences and solutions to cultism here.

After General IBB had left office as Nigeria's president, democratic rule returned to the nation. During this time, amnesty was granted to each cult member, with the aim of putting an end to cultism in Nigerian universities. Meanwhile, this seemed to have worked because cult activities appeared to be drastically reduced in various universities at that point in time. The few cultist around campus eventually moved their meetings outside the university.

Unfortunately, the exiled cultists returned to the university campus once again because the government and university authorities could not provide sufficient facilities to combat cultism in their universities.

Please read on the functions of government here.

Now those who had initially renounced their cult membership during the time of amnesty became more vulnerable. According to them, their best option of protection was to return to their respective cult groups; and many were accepted back.

Numerous cult groups became established within and outside various university campuses as a result.

Some of cult groups formed include:

1. Brotherhood of the Blood (also called the Black Beret or Two-Two)
2. Jurist Executioners
3. Mafia Confraternity
4. Trojan Horse
5. Second Son of Satan (SSS)
6. Black Scorpion
7. Red Sea
8. Dreaded Friend of Friends
9. Badoo
10. Snow Men
11. Black Bat
12. Kampus Killers (KK)
13. Fraternity of Men

Please read on the leadership qualities of Joseph that has transformed lives here.

Some female students came together with the intentions to create a feminine cult group.

Some of the female cult groups formed include:

1. Temple of Eden
2. Black Beret
3. Sisterhood of Darkness
4. Black Bra
5. Amazons
6. Daughters of Jezebel
7. Pink Ladies

At present, measures are being put in place by the Nigerian government and various tertiary institutions to combat cultism.

Please stay away from cultism because nothing good comes out from it.