Cultism I SS1 Civic Education Lesson Note

Cultism is an extreme religious or social group or association that is not part of an established norm. It is an illegal association of people/groups whose activities are kept from the public. It is a secret practice by members of cult groups whose activities are violent and extreme.

CULT GROUPS IN NIGERIA

1. Pyrate confraternity AKA Sea Dogs aka, National Association of Seadogs
2. Buccaneers Association of Nigeria (BAN) aka National Associations of Sea Lords or AloraSealords

3. Aye aka Axeman
4. The Supreme Eiye Confraternity aka (National Association of Air Lords)
5. The Neo-Black Movement of Africa aka (Black Axe
6. Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC) aka De Norsemen Club of Nigeria
7. Mafia Confraternity aka The Family Fraternity
8. Two-Two (Black Beret) aka The Brotherhood of the Blood
9. Klansmen Konfraternity (KKK)

10 Second Son of Satan (SSS)

11. Night Cadet
12. Sonnen

13. MgbaMgba Brothers
14. Temple of Eden
15. Trojan Horse

16. Jurists
17. White Bishops

18. Gentlemen Clubs
19. Fame
20. Executioners
21. Dreaded Friend of Friends
22. Eagle Club
23. Black Scorpion
24. Red Sea Horse
25. Fraternity of Friends.
26. Red Sea

27. Mgbamgba Brothers
28. Black Cat
29. Snow Men

30. Black Cobra of Ife
31. Canary
32. Green Berets
33. The Blood Spot
34. Scorpion

Females are not left out in the formation of cult groups. Theirs include:

1. Black-bra
2. 2.. Black Berets
3. Woman Brassier (brave)
4. Daughters of Jezebel
5. Pink Lady
6. Amazons
7. White Angels
8. Lady of Rose
9. Sisterhood of Darkness
10. Golden Daughters
11. The Ten Wonderful Girls
12. White Ladies
13. The Royal Queens
14. Daughters of the Knight
15. The Knights of the Aristos
16. Viqueens
17. The Damsel

The Emergence Of Cult Groups In Nigeria

Cultism in Nigeria began as far back as 1952. The Pyrates Confraternity was started by seven students among which were the popular Nigerian Nobel Laurette, Wole Soyinka, Olumyiwa Awe, RaphOkpara, Aig-Imokhuede, Ben Egbuchie, Nathaniel Oyelola and Pius Oleghe at the University of Ibadan. They called themselves the ‘Magnificent Seven.

The purpose of the confraternity was to combat societal ills and conformist degradation, which were being exhibited not only by students but by society at large. According to the Pyrates, the first graduates of the University of Ibadan were elitists, as they were highly privileged since they were the first graduating class of Nigeria’s first university. Most of the university students adopted elitist behaviour, imitating the dress of the colonialists and mimicking their culture. Wole Soyinka, who was code-named “Captain Blood,” together with his colleagues felt that the pretences should be stopped. The activity of members was rigidly controlled and the group promoted non-violent dispute resolution. From 1953 to 1972, the Pyrates was the only confraternity on Nigerian campuses.

In the early 1970s, several confraternities emerged. In 1972, a member of the Pyrates Confraternity, Dr Bolaji Carew (code-named “Late Ahoy Rica Ricardo”), and other members were accused of not following the teachings of the confraternity and were unexpectedly expelled. As a result of this incident and other problems, the Pyrates pulled out of Eria’s universities. They then registered elves in Nigeria under the name of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS). Carew later took with him many elements of the Pyrates, including similar attire and symbols of the cult as well as its highly regimented and hierarchical structure.

The origin of confraternity violence dates back to Carew’s 1972 saga and the birth of the Buccaneers. After the Buccaneers, the Neo-Black Movement of Africa, also called Black Axe, was founded at the University of Benin in Edo state. After its creation, another confraternity, called the Supreme Eiye Confraternity, also known as the National Association of Air Lords, broke away from Black during this time, the splintered cult groups used a new dimension into confraternity tradition: before carrying out any activities, they would practice voodoo rituals.

WHY STUDENTS JOIN CULTS

1. Protection
2. Funding
3. To be on an equal plane with their lecturers
4. Negative Peer Pressure
5. For Power
6. Revenge
7. Watching crime-related
8. Films/videos/Exposure to Violent or crime-related films
9. Curiosity
10. Popularity
11. False impression/Ignorance
12. Fear and timidity
13. Family background
14. Hardship/lack of parental care
15. Sense of security
16. Social Identity
17. Academic Weakness/Academic Success
18. Fear of the future/unknown
19. Injustice
20. Get-rich-quick syndrome
21. Support from politicians and some members of staff of schools and colleges
22. Deception
23. Coercion/Intimidation/Extortion
24. Promise of employment
25. Frustration
26. Low self-esteem/Inferiority complex
27. Adventure