STUDENTS PERCEPTION OF ANTI-CULTISM MESSAGES ON CAMPUS (A CASE STUDY ON THE UNIVERSITY OF UYO)
ABSTRACT
This study sets out to determine University of Uyo student perception of anti-cultism messages on campus. The study is aimed at ascertaining the impact of these messages on the life of the student and academic. The survey was the technique adopted in conducting the study, with a questionnaire as a measuring instrument. Three hundred (300) students from five faculties were sampled, using multi-stage sampling procedure but mostly systematic and purposive techniques while the five faculties were randomly selected, the students were purposively sampled. Findings from the study show that the anti-cultism messages on the campus of the University of Uyo have a significant impact on the students’ academic and spiritual life. The study thus concluded that the student exposed to the danger of cultism manifested a positive change in their academic life. The study, therefore, recommends that interpersonal communication should be adopted to ensure effective communication, in addition to printing more books on the dangers of Cultism
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGES
Title page
Declaration
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgment
Abstract
Table of contents
List of tables
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objective of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Significance of the Study
1.6 Limitations of the Study
1.7 Definition of Terms
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.1Evolution
2.2 Recruitment
2.3 Activities
2.4 Theoretical framework
2.4.1 Cognitive responses theory
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Technique
3.2 Population of the Study
3.3 Sample Size and Procedure
3.4 Description of Measuring Instrument
3.5 Validity and Reliability of Research Instrument
3.6 Method of Data Collection
3.7 Method of Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.1 Data Presentation Analysis
4.2 Discussion of Findings
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary of Finding
5.2Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations
References
Appendix
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Secret cult in our societies could be traced down to the Egyptians. Their magicians in their quest for more power used some occultic devices. They formed a school of thought, which was mostly base on intellectual objectives, which is mainly to enhance their occultic prowess. This intellectual ascription to their practise was to give it a modern basis of argument and to give it a wider acceptability. For instance most secret cults are established on false platform of political emancipation and political empowerment whereas in reality it is a bondage and slavery to the cult group.
Secret societies have been existing in Nigeria even before the coming of the colonial masters or early colonialism. They were formed by a group of individual with the sole aim of seeking protection from their ancestors by conducting rituals. Initiations are conducted for people that want to belong to a particular set of masquerade. Once initiated, the secrets concerning the masquerade are observed thoroughly by its members. In the late 40s, the higher institutions in Nigeria were not associated with secret societies. The first secret cult in Nigeria came into existence in 1952 when a group of seven student led by Professor Wole Soyinka, founded the seadogs confraternity (a.k.a. Pyrate) in the university of Ibadan. The sole objective of founding the cult was to fight colonialism, ensure the dignity of man and rid the Nigeria society of elitism and tribalism. Its members engaged in humanitarian activities such as donation of blood to hospitals to save live and presentation of gifts to orphanages, to assist the helpless in the society. “Everything we did then was healthy, firm harmless and above board” recalled Muyiwa Awe, one of the founding fathers. Although they left school for different location, they remained members of the organization. Twenty years later, the Pyrates Confraternity witnessed a significant change.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
There is a growing concern on the part of every university governing body, polytechnics and other higher institutions of learning, parents, Government and well-meaning Nigerians on the menace and violence of cultism in our campuses. This concern is born out of the destruction and damage emanating from cult violence over the years.
In our Nigerian campuses, the last two decades going by research, has witnessed, a lot of bloodletting, massacre, maiming and killings. Cultism is a social ill that has placed so much debris on its victims. Innocent student suffer humiliations and molestations from cultism. It has left many others hopeless by way of amputating their legs, hands, arms, or even mutilating some part of their body. Ironically these cultists do all these in ignorance. To curb menace, many activities have been put in place. They include Tvs, radio, campaigns, billboards, messages, seminars etc. These messages are intended to create a change of altitude in these students this necessitated this study geared towards finding out how University of Uyo students perceive anti-cultism messages. Hence the question is how doUniversity of Uyo students perceive anti-cultism messages on campus.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The specific objectives of this study were
I) To find out if the students have heard of anti-cultism messages on campus
II) To identify the elements of the messages on anti-cultism
III) To examine the elements of the messages anti-cultism that Uniuyo students have heard
IV) To find out the impact of those messages on their life and academic.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The study has the following research question
i) Are university of uyo student aware of cultism on campus?
ii) What element of the messages have they heard on anti-cultism?
iii) Do the student understand the message on anti-cultism?
iv) What are the impact of these messages on their life and academic?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study would be of great value to students, lecturers and the school as a whole on the importance of the message about anti-cultism on our campus, the study would bring to the consciousness of the student the problems associated with cultism as such help them understand the ways that they can be deceived into cult and the possible way out. Like assurance of protection from intimidation, that once they belong to a fraternity they would be making good result, that the ladies would have access to the most fashionable clothes in town , that the can actually involve in examination malpractice without being cautioned or reported by examination invigilator.
Student must know that all the above mention terms are statement of deception meant and designed to put them into something detrimental to their academic, their spiritual life and their family and the possible way out of it is as a student we must have deep faith in God which is necessary to keep us and give us confidence under the vagaries and ordeals of mortal experience. Remember “until you are deceived you cannot be destroyed” because cultism is deceptive but education is the light which confess knowledge and knowledge is power, so education is the greatest legacy anywhere in the world
1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Perception: The degree Uniuyo students understand the true nature of anti-cultism message.
Message: an important moral or social ideas that is been communicated
Cultism: Is a group of people who have extreme religious beliefs and who are not part of any established religion. It is an enclose organized association of people devoted to the same cause.
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