CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1Â Â Â Â Â Â BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The word cultism refers to a popular way of life, an attitude, or a concept, as well as a small group of individuals that practice extreme religion. The origins of covert cult activity in Nigerian higher education institutions are diabolical. When cultism was first established in the early 1980s, it was for the purpose of intellectual responsibility. These groups were initially innocuous and had excellent intentions at several colleges. It has lately evolved into a terrible force that threatens to rip our campus apart. In recent years, campus has morphed into a type of slaughterhouse, with gun-toting hoodlums, generally teenagers, beset by identity crises(Laolu, 2002).
Wole Soyinka, Tunji, Tobi, Ralph opera, Aigmokluide, and Olamuyiwa established and headed the first Nigerian cult organization. They created the “National Association of Sea Dogs” (NAS), which was subsequently changed to pirate confraternity, when they were students at the leading institution (University of Ibadan) (PC) The admission to the pirate confraternity was limited to individuals who are serious about their academic goals and are willing to protect their honor and reputation on campus(Laolu, 2002). One of the group’s goals is to fight colonialism, ensure human dignity, and rid Nigerian society of elitism and tribalism. The pirate confraternity began as an anti-colonial pressure group among the early youths. Their regalia was red, and their symbol was a skull with two crossed bones with blood dropping.
