OLUMIDE A. SHOFOWORA: BLACK PAP FROM WHITE POT, THE CRIMINAL DERIVATIVES OF CULTISM IN NIGERIA ®™✓ INN Nigeria ©

Fundamentally, the existence of cultism and cultist activism could be traced back to pre – colonial period in some parts of our regional communities.

Specifically, in the south western part there was (and still) occultist group known as the “Ogboni Society”. In the south southern part, there existed “Ekpe Group”. While in the south eastern part, it was the “Aros Sect”. These aforementioned cult groups were originally created to serve as corrective, protective, and healing institutions in there respective communities.

Thus, they were highly regarded and honoured as important peace and security mechanisms for continuous societal existence. Therefore, their formalities in terms of membership, admission, policy and activities were done and operated in confidentiality and not just opened to common people with no valuable thoughts.

Progressivelly, when the socio-political and economic settings of Nigeria was in the autocratic hands of colonial lords, and there was need of self – determination and self – rule, the activism of nationalism was needed more than before, hence, there existed vibrant groups of nationalists demanding for Independence from the colonial government of Nigeria, particularly in the 1950s.

Consequently, some vibrant and young undergraduates from the University of Ibadan were not left out in this course of demanding independence from colonialism.

However, to achieve that aim, they made effort to organize a campus secret group known as “The Sea Dogs Confraternity popularly known as the “PIRATES” in the year 1952.

Basically, the chief proponents of the group were seven in number, namely; Wole Soyinka, Pius Olegbe, Olumuyiwa Awe, Aig Imoukhuede, Ralph Opara, Olu Agunloye, and Tunji Tubi.

Significantly, it must be known and understood that the creation of the said secret cult was with good intention and good faith, majorly to achieve the following through their activities:

1. To fight against colonialism and its attendant oppression.
2. To fight against injustice towards students on campus and in society.
3. To preserve our communal culture.

Unfortunately, forty years later, there was another campus secret cult that was created in the University of Benin in the year 1992, known as the “Buccaneers Association of Nigeria”. The creation of this secret group was a result of leadership problems that engulfed the Pirates at the University of Ibadan in the 1970s and 1980s. As a result, this metamorphosed into several other campus secret cults’ groups in Nigerian higher institutions; and unfortunately to even secondary schools. And the resultant effects brought uncountable criminal activities by these cult groups to our society today.
Alarmingly, as at present, there are not less than 21 secret cult groups in our higher learning institutions; no less than 14 female cult groups; and nothing less than 6 secret cult groups in secondary schools. Regrettably, these cult groups have diffused into our immediate communities.

For examples, on campuses there are:

1. The Sea Dogs Confraternity (Pirates).
2. The Buccaneers Association of Nigeria.
3. The Mafia Confraternity (Maphites).
4. The National Association of Air Lord’s (Eiye).
5. The Vikings Fraternity.
6. The War Lords.
7. Neo Black Movement Confraternity (Black Axe).
8. Black Stars.
9. Klansmen Konfraternity (KK).
10. The Myba Brothers.
11. The Red Devils.
12. Red Beret
13. The Scorpion
14. The Black Cat
15. The Trojans Horse, etc.

For females, there are:

1. The Daughters of Jezebel.
2. Supreme Daughters of Medusa.
3. White Angels
4. Dirty Virgins.
5. Fine Girls.
6. Black Angels.
7. Black Pants.
8. Royal Queens.
9. The Amazons.
10. Dirty Brassieres.
11. River Angels.
12. The Sharons.
13. Daughters of Eve.
14. Black Queens, etc.

In secondary schools, there exist:

1. The Armadas.
2. Cowboys.
3. Black Scorpions.
4. Game Boys.
5. Scar Boys.
6. Aso Rock, etc.

Notably, uncountable and devilish atrocities have been perpetrated by these so called secret cult groups, rendering hundreds of young people’s lives in untimely death; harrassing, raping, and killing of our virile youths, robbery, election thuggery, causing parents lot of pains and embarrassment, and other incessant chaotic activities that always disturbing the peaceful existence of our society.

Preventively, parents, government, institutions, and individuals have unavoidable roles to play, so as to curtail the menace of cultism and cultist activities in Nigeria:

1. Parents MUST PERSISTENTLY nurture, teach, and orientate their children about rules and regulations that are against cultism. They must not relent in ensuring proper and adequate care and support for their children, teach them moral and religious lessons. AND MUST SERVE AS GOOD ROLE MODELS for their children.
2. Learning institutions MUST consistently orientate their students about cultism and its endenger consequences. They must try and encourage students to join healthy clubs in schools; religious fellowships, student unions, debating society, human rights clubs, anti – drugs organizations, press clubs, peace on campus organizations, and so on.
3. Government MUST PROVIDE NECESSARY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES for its young populace. It must arrest and give severe punishment to any cultist regardless of the person social status. AND POLITICIANS MUST SEE THE NEED NOT TO EMPLOY YOUNG PEOPLE IN THEIR SELFISH POLITICAL AMBITION(S) AND ATROCITIES THROUGH THEIR CLIENTILISM OF ARMFUL EQUIPMENTS.
4. The individual young must have self – concept and self – esteem of who they truly are. They must strive to be knowledgeable, educated, enlightened, productive, visionary, and progressive. THEY MUST NOT ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BE BOUGHT OVER BY OUR DEVILISH POLITICIANS AND BUSINESS MEN WHO ENGAGE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THEIR QUEST FOR POWER AND MONEY WHEN THEY THEMSELVES ARE LEAVING THEIR OWN CHILDREN OUT OF SUCH ATROCITIES.

So, today, it is regrettable and disheartening that the secret WHITE POT of progressive activities of the 1950s are now producing BLACK PAP of criminal and acrimonious activities in Nigeria.