The effects of cultism on the Nigerian youth have been documented for decades. Cultism is a cancerous phenomenon plaguing the Nigerian society. Its effect has pervaded every corner of Nigerian society. Together with drug abuse and internet scam, the Nigerian youth can be entrapped by the negative influence of cultism.
The terrible menacing nature of cultism is palpable in localities, academic institutions, political arenas and the likes. This article will explore the major effects of cultism on Nigerian youths.
What is cultism?
According to Wikipedia, A cult is:
is a social group that is defined by its unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs, or by its common interest in a particular personality, object or goal.
And destructive cults, whose category Nigerian cults fall under, refer to:
groups whose members have, through deliberate action, physically injured or killed other members of their own group or other people.
Cultism began in Nigeria in 1957, and its spread knows no bound, as different levels in the Nigeria strata. have been affected by this menace. Nigerian cults have been known for their fiercely violent nature that has paralyzed academic institution and led to the loss of lives and properties. Other effects on society include vandalization, rape, gambling, bullying, drug abuse etc.
Effects of Cultism On Nigerian Youth
Ill-timed Death
A terrible effect of cultism on Nigerian Youth is the cheapening of life. Members can be maimed and killed at any time. The police, through its crime-fighting effort, constantly engage in serious crossfire operation that very usually leads to the death of members. Another channel in which members of cult die untimely is during cult-clash, lives are usually wrecked when rival cult battle.
A lot of lives have been lost as a result of being members of certain cult.
Immorality
Cultism thrives on the promotion of immorality. Sexual assault, drug abuse, violence, destructive behaviours are some ideologies in which most cults revolve around. These behaviours negate positive values, which are instrumental to societal growth. These negative values directly fuel the criminal behaviours of cultists.
Incomplete Education
Another saddening effect of cultism on Nigerian Youth is an incomplete education. A lot of cultists never get to complete their university or secondary school education. Most of them are expelled by universities, others are the victim of low grade due to their lack of zeal towards studying.
Cultism can be a serious obstruction to succeeding academically.
Drug Abuse/ Addiction
Cultists are exposed to several hard drugs, and a lot of them become addicted to it. Drugs like cocaine, marijuana, alcohol and cannabis have wrecked the lives of cultists since time immemorial. A lot of them have fallen to the effect of drug abuse which include death, permanent brain damage and violent behaviour.
Termination of life goals
A lot of cultists begin as ambitious youths, full of promises and potentials, but upon joining cults, they begin to deviate from those dreams and ambitions. Due to death, imprisonment or mental illness, they never reach their potentials in life.
This is a very pathetic Effects of Cultism On Nigerian Youth.
Fear
Cultist never lives a peaceful life. His very existence is made uncomfortable by fear especially during cult clash or after deadly operations.
He fears an unforeseen attack on his life, so he is always watchful and ready to run for cover.
Possible Loss of Family Members
Cultism can cause the death of innocent siblings and family member linked to cultists. There are scenarios where cultists go after members of the family of a rival cult member or defaulting member, leading to death and mortal injury.
In was reported in the news recently that an innocent man was a victim of a hapless killing by heartless cultists because his son belonged to a rival cult group and he (the son) had fled the state.
Spiritual Problem
A lot of cultism activities are mired in diabolic and occultic rituals that are bound to cause certain spiritual problems with the passage of time. The process of cultist initiation involves some diabolic rituals like blood-drinking, use of charms, oath-taking, bodily marking etc. Some cultists enter into satanic covenants that become a source of problems to them later in life.
This also causes a big challenge in breaking away from their occult group due to the mysticism and esoteric nature of these initiation and occultic activities.
Mental Illness
Cultism is linked to serious drug abuse. Frequent drug abuse can trigger mental disorder and psychological illnesses. Hard drugs are used by cultists to boost morale whenever they want to participate in their illicit activities.
Hard drugs like Indian hemp, cocaine, codeine and tramadol are regularly used by cultists. These substances can cause a destabilising effect on the mental health of youths, causing madness, schizophrenia and delusion,
Unrealizable Life Ambitions
Cultism can also truncate the possibility of creating value out of one’s life. A lot of cultists initially started out with the prospect of becoming something great in life and having a great future, but due to the negativity and vices that are associated with cultism, they end up failures.
Causes of Cultism
Inadequate parental training:
Any youngster who joins a cult is likely to hail from a dysfunctional family. It could be one of several factors: the parents split up, neither parent has enough time to pay attention to their kids, or the kids are not adequately disciplined, supervised, or looked after.
It needs to be noted that if parents fulfill their responsibilities effectively, their children will not end up with a negative company or feel more valued elsewhere. Psychopathic clubs will not provide them with security, affection, or certainty.
Pressure from peers:
This is a problem that has been widely discussed. Peer Pressure cannot be ruled out, particularly when it relates to young teens who are notorious for being unruly and seeking approval from their friends.
Besides that, most children are pressured to join despite their opposition due to intimidation from their peers who are already part of the system.
Insufficient student and public orientation:
90% of people jailed for murders, assaults, kidnappings, and other crimes are tied to cult activities in some way.
This is why a big number of young people are joining clandestine organizations. It’s because neither students nor the general public receive proper education and awareness.
The practice of Cultism will continue as long as there is no adequate education for students and young people in general about the perils of Cultism.
Another reason why young people join cults is a false perception of low self-esteem.
As a way to hide their fears, they try to blend in with their intimidating peers.
A lot of cultists end up dead, some run mad while others are in a tragic and pathetic state.
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