The Role of Public Relations in Combating Cultism in the Nigerian Institutions
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
The aim of this study include the following:
- To find out the extent of non-information on cultism and its dangers to Osun State Polytechnic, Iree students.
- To ascertain the extent of adequacy of actualization and encouragement of the students to support the crusade against cultism.
- To examine the adequacy of policies and programmes of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree management on cultism to the students.
- To find out if there are laws that will help student resist joining of secret cults.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED AND RELEVANT LITERATURE
Cultism – A Historical Background
Secret cults or secret societies are organizations in which the members are usually bound by an oath of secrecy. They often require elaborate form of initiation and ritual, use of symbols, passwords and handshakes as a means of recognition among members (Encarta, 2005a). The incidence of secret cults dates back to the ancient Greece, when the Pythagoreans combined philosophy and politics. Mysteries, with unknown origin and purpose, were secret rites and ceremonies known and practiced only by people who had been duly initiated. In the 12th century, some Muslim sects were founded as secret societies, notably the Assassins in Persia (now Iran) in the Middle East and parts of Asia. Unorthodox groups practice secrecy to avoid persecution and for economic protection (Encarta, 2005a and b). Some secret cults were formed in the 17th and 18th centuries for scientific inquiry or political subversion. The Rosicrucian order (AMORC) mixed science and mysticism. Others became important centres of political dissent. The Sons of Liberty was created in the American colonies to resist British oppression. The revolutionary secret societies, such as the Carbonari in Italy, the Fenians in Ireland, and supporters of nihilism in Russia were important political forces. Other secret cults, notably the Mafia in Sicily, were established to organize criminal activities and to protect their members (Encarta, 2005a). Secret cults are common among peoples in Melanesia, parts of Africa, and Native American tribes of North America, particularly the Pueblo and the Plains people.
There is a long history of secret societies in China, perhaps partly because of strong state suppression of any openly heterodox movement. Secret cults were active in almost every major rebellion or dynastic struggle. Some secret societies in Japan were important in fostering militarism. The Japanese yakuza are among the most pervasive or criminal brotherhoods in any developed society (Encarta, 2005a). Some secret societies, such as the Knights of the Golden Circle and the Ku Klux Klan, were created in the United States of America (U.S.A.) in the 19th and 20th centuries for protection, terrorism, philanthropy and mutual benefits of members. The fraternal element is traditionally predominant in the U.S.A. Secret organizations are an important feature in university life (Encarta, 2005a).
Studies by the French political philosopher, Montesquieu, and his successors relate disorganization and criminal behaviour, such as the cultist activities, to the natural and physical environment. Many prominent criminologists attribute crime mainly to the incidence of poverty.
The incidence of crime tends to rise especially in times of widespread unemployment. The living conditions of the poor, particularly of those in slums, are characterized by overcrowding, lack of privacy, inadequate play space and recreational facilities, and poor sanitation. Such conditions engender feelings of deprivation and hopelessness and are conducive to crime as a means of escape. The feeling is encouraged by the example set by those who have managed to escape through criminal means to what appears to be a better way of life. The incidence of crime has also been related to the general state of a culture, especially the impact of economic crises, wars, and revolutions, and the general sense of insecurity and uprootedness to which these forces give rise. The crime rate tends to rise, as a society becomes more unsettled and its people more restless and fearful of the future. This is particularly true of juvenile crime, as the experience of the U.S.A. Since World War II has made evident.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
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The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to examine the role of public relations in combating cultism in Nigeria institutions, Osun state Polytechnic was selected as the study’s place of focus.
Sources of data collection
- Primary source and
- Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, or things. The researcher is interested in getting information which will aid to examine the role of public relations in combating cultism in Nigeria institutions. Two hundred (200) respondents were randomly selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133 (one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to reiterate that the objective of this study was to examine the role of public relations in combating cultism in Nigeria institutions.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in examining the role of public relations in combating cultism in Nigeria institutions.
Summary
This study was undertaken to examine the role of public relations in combating cultism in Nigeria institutions. The study opened with chapter one where the statement of the problem was clearly defined. The study objectives and research hypotheses were defined and formulated respectively. The study reviewed related and relevant literatures. The chapter two gave the conceptual framework, empirical and theoretical studies. The third chapter described the methodology employed by the researcher in collecting both the primary and the secondary data. The research method employed here is the descriptive survey method. The study analyzed and presented the data collected in tables and tested the hypotheses using the chi-square statistical tool. While the fifth chapter gives the study summary and conclusion.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
From Independence in 1960 till the early 1980s, when the economy of Nigeria was buoyant, little was heard of cultism in the Nigerian educational institutions. From the mid-eighties, when austerity measures and a number of economic reforms were introduced in the country in response to the global oil-glut of the late 1970s and the attendant dwindling petro-dollar revenue, economic stress-induced social vices, including campus cultism, multiplied. Cultism is not just related to socio-economic distress; it is a response by the youth to corruption-induced poverty in the land of abundant natural resources. Only iron political will can stamp secret cultism out of the Nigerian educational institutions and halt the untold tolls it wrecks on the lives of the citizenry, especially the youth and future generations. To stem the tide, the political ruling class has to mop up the courage and iron political will to reverse the trend. The matter has to be addressed from the top and the bottom will duly respond. The nation with its cake belongs to all citizens, and the ruling class owes accountability to those who have allowed them to occupy the public positions. Asking the citizenry to tighten their belts for reform measures to salvage the ailing economy, while the ruling class is neck-deep into corrupt practices and executive kleptocracy, will continue to court disorderly reactions from the youth. Some Nigerian leaders are dishonest and unreliable to the core: masses-oriented and people-centric only in their campaign promises, but oblivious of manifesto contract and thoroughly self-centered in their activities throughout their tenure.
This attitude ought to be reversed, if the conundrum of social vices, including cultism, must become anachronistic. Since cultism stems chiefly from the breakdown of campus traditional social norms and controls, giving rise to, among others, hunger and poor nutrition, poor hostel and recreational facilities, poor learning environment, unemployment, and economic crises, preventing cultism is a better approach than punishing it. Therefore, the government ought to initiate attacks on the conditions that breed cultism. The government can also support public relations in higher institutions to hosting awareness programmes to create an environment of knowledge amongst the students. Also the public relations should also serve as a mediating agent for the student. This can be effected by speaking up on behalf of students and making sure that victims of cult harassment get justice and the perpetrators punished for their acts.
REFERENCES
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