A Study of Public Relations as a Veritable Tool for Eradicating Cultism in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The aim of this research study is to use public relations management of conference to eradicate cultism and its activities in Nigerian tertiary institutions. In order to achieve this aim, the following objectives were formulated to:
- Investigate how public relations management of conference can be used to eradicate cultism in tertiary institution.
- Find out the extent to which public relations has been used in eradicating cultism in tertiary institution.
- Investigate the factors that can hinder public relations management of conference as a veritable tool for eradicating cultism in tertiary institution.
- Ascertain other means in which cultism can be eradicated in tertiary institution.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Conceptual Framework
Concept of Cultism
It has never been easy to give a comprehensive definition of the term ‘Cult’. This is because the term cultism could be applied to a wide range of groups and could convey different meaning by different users. Okwu (2006) cited Denga (1991) where the author defined cultism as a system of religious belief and practices or ideology. Also, Orukpe (1998) noted that ‘Cults are a group of people who share and propagate peculiar secret beliefs divulged only to Member’. Occultism or possession of mystical power is often associated with cults. The veracity of this is difficult to ascertain because of their secret modus operandi. Cult can be seen as a group of people that are devoted to a particular cause. In real sense cult per se is not evil, it is rather the anti-societal behaviour of its members that make it to be evil and a cause of concern to society. According to the Free Encyclopedia (2010), the literal and traditional meaning of the word ‘Cult’ is derived from the Latin word ‘Cultus’ meaning ‘Care’ or ‘Adoration’. To the sociologist of religion, the term is used to describe ‘a loosely knit organization not characterized by tolerance and open mindedness in matter of belief and practice, while in the media and everyday conversion the word suggests a spurious, secretive, sinister and harmful group’ (Albatross , 2006). Lalich and Langone (2006) made the following remarks about the behaviour of cultists – the group displays excessively zealous and unquestionable commitment to its leader and regards his belief system, ideology and practices as the truth. The authors noted that questioning, doubts and dissents are discouraged or even punished. Rotimi (2005) asserted that the secret cult phenomenon is not new in Africa. Citing Aguda (1997), the author observed that activities of secret cults, like ‘Human Leopards’ and ‘Human crocodiles’, have been recorded in Central Africa. Furthermore in citing Thomas (2002), the author stated that cultist groups enjoy subtle support and patronage from both government and school authorities. Cult members were sometimes used by politicians for revenge and for setting personal scores. He went on to state that in some cases, past members who had migrated to foreign countries some times remitted money to support their former cult groups.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
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 a study of public relations as a veritable tool for eradicating cultism in Nigerian tertiary institution
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)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, things the researcher is interested in getting information study of public relations as a veritable tool for eradicating cultism in Nigerian tertiary institution. 200 staff University of Uyo was 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 ascertain that the objective of this study was to investigate a study of public relations as a veritable tool for eradicating cultism in Nigerian tertiary institution
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 addressing the challenges of public relations as a veritable tool for eradicating cultism in Nigerian tertiary institution
Summary
This study was on a study of public relations as a veritable tool for eradicating cultism in Nigerian tertiary institution. Four objectives were raised which included; Investigate how public relations management of conference can be used to eradicate cultism in tertiary institution,find out the extent to which public relations has been used in eradicating cultism in tertiary institution, Investigate the factors that can hinder public relations management of conference as a veritable tool for eradicating cultism in tertiary institution, ascertain other means in which cultism can be eradicated in tertiary institution. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and four null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff University of Uyo. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up heads of department, secretaries, senior lecturers and junior lectures were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies.
Conclusion
- campus cults are motivated by some factors associated with adolescent, extension of societal corruption, lack of adequate counselling service, sponsorship of secret cults by some individuals/old standing members.
- Activities of campus cults also adversely have some impact on some education parameters. These include lecturers, students, facilities and human activities in the university.
- That the volatility of students is aided by the deterioration of the higher education institution in terms of infrastructure, academic standard and quality of students that is to say if students have good academic environment, the tendency towards crises would be reduced
Recommendation
- Parents should learn to love and discipline their children at home from childhood. Parents should also support university and government authorities in their efforts to check the menace of campus cults.
- The university authorities should beef up the security department and equip them with modern/sophisticated tools and also uphold the truth and be more sincere when handling campus cult issues.
- The university authorities should allow all clubs and societies in the university to register with them and highlight their objectives.
- At the beginning of every session, the guidance and counselling department should be assisted to organize an elaborate orientation programme for all new students; and during this programme, the ills of cultism should be spelt out and students cautioned not to identify with them. 5. Lecturers should make attendance to lecture compulsory and also take record of class attendance of students who fail to meet up the minimum percentage of attendance should not be allowed to do the examination, this will help to check other students.
References
- Aguda, A. S. (1997). The environment of secret cults, in Rotimi, Adewale, Violence in the citadel: THE menace of secret cults in the Nigerian Universities. http://www.njas.helsinkfi/
- Akingbade, T., Aiyebola, S., Denloye, G. and Emeanwa, A. (1992). “Cults of Terror.” Sunday Concord. December 6, 13 – 14.
- Akpan, U. (1990). “Secret cults take over campuses.” Sunday Champion. February 25, p. 1.
- Alemika, E. E. O. (2000). Management of student unions and anti-cult mobilizations in Nigeria tertiary education and institutions in Smah, Sam O, Perceptions and control of secret cult and gang induced living and learning in Nigeria Universities. http://ahero.uwc.ac.za/index.
- Aluede. Raymond O. A. and Hope O. Oniyama. (2009). “Secret cults in tertiary institutions in Nigeria: An Appraisal.” College Student Journal. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCR/is_1_43/ai_n314383/15/ Accessed 27 July 2009.
- Amachere, J. (1992). “Cult member dies in clash.” Daily Sunray. Wednesday, November 6, p. 11.
- Andah, N. W. (1990). Female labour force participation and marital happiness: A study of selected women in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State of Nigeria. Unpublished Ph.D Thesis, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
