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ORIGIN OF CULTISM IN NIGERIA

With the increase in violent cult clashes across the country in recent times, there has been a lingering question on the origin of cultism in Nigeria which many believe is alien to our culture. To help answer this question, www.selectng.com.ng has put this report together to explain how cult groups came about in Nigeria.

Though several traditional cult groups have existed in Africa for a longtime, their activities were based on African traditions and culture which was largely to help in organizing a peaceful society. For instance, in the Old Oyo empire, the Ogboni cult was a group of elderly men whose major duty was to put a checkmate the authority and activities of the Alaafin of Oyo (The traditional ruler of Oyo) to ensure that he did not abuse his powers as the king.

 

In modern day Nigeria, the Pyrates Confraternity is said to be the first established cult group which was formed at the University College, Ibadan, now (University of Ibadan) in 1952 by a group of students which include   Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Ralph Opara, Sylvanus Egbuchie and a host of others. Their objectives then were:

 

1) To compel the colonial government to stop imposing foreign culture on Nigerians, so that Nigerians could be themselves. I.e. live by their own culture, tradition and norms.

 

2) To work for Nigeria’s independence.

 

3) To correct the ills of the society by fighting corruption, indiscipline and tribalism.

 

4) To encourage humanitarian activities such as blood donation and collection of money for charity.

 

This group and its members carried out their activities peacefully in order to achieve their aims and objectives. However, personality clashes and rivalry within the group led to some of the members being expelled from the group. The expelled members went forth to establish other cult groups that were more radical and violent than the initial group; then the rivalry and battle for supremacy began.

For example, the Super Eiye Confraternity (National Association of air Lords) led by Adegoke Adeniyi was formed at the University of Ibadan in 1970 while Nolaji Carew formed the Buccaneers Confraternity at the university of Benin the same year. The Supreme Vikings was formed at the University of Portharcourt in 1982 and the at the University of Benin in 1984. Today, the number of cult groups in Nigeria is almost uncountable with every group always fighting others to show its supremacy.

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