Abstract
Over the years, institutions of higher learning have come under intense pressure as cultism, which as brewed internal wrangling, frequent students’ unrest and industrial disharmony now characterize the higher education system. In spite of concerted efforts by government and institutional heads to arrest the drift engendered by these undesirable factors, not much success has been recorded. As the problems continue to Fester, many have reasoned that there is need for a more pragmatic public relations approach described as purveyors of knowledge, nursery of intellect and character rediscover their mission of inculcating proper value orientation for the survival of society as well as building individual and institutional capacities. It is against this background that the study was designed. The study identified the nature of crisis that has bedeviled the institutions and the strategies applied to manage the crisis and their level of effectiveness. The study we help to checkmate and manage students and staff related crisis on campus; Institution of administrative disciplinary measures-the rustication or expulsion of students caught in cult related activities that disturb the peace and tranquility of life on campuses.
KEYWORD; Public Relations Campaign, Cultism, Tertiary Institution, Tools.
Chapter one
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
1.1 Introduction
Public is as old as mankind. Public Relations affect almost everyone who has a contact with other human beings. All of us in one way or the other practice or experience public relations daily.
Public Relations are the planned and sustained effort to established a mutual understanding between an organization and its publics. According to British Public Relations as an art and social science analysis trend, predicting their consequence, counseling organization, leader and implement planned programme of action which will serve for both the organization and its public interest, the world assemble in Mexico City in August(1987).Public relations is the strategic management of relationship between an organizations and its diverse publics, through the use of communication to achieve mutual understanding, realize organizational goals, and serve the public interest(Flyn, Gregory & Valin 2008).
The term cult is a Latin word which refers to worship, religion and faith. A cult is a group of people who are adherents of a certain type of worship. In the contemporary context, it generally refers to a fraternal relationship between a group of people who are out to achieve set objectives for members, even through these objectives go against the interest and norms of the larger society(Ikudayisi,1998).Onyechere(1988) defines these cults as a group of people who share and propagate peculiar beliefs only to members.
Cultism is dated back to 1952, when Wole Soyinka winner of the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize for Literature- and a group of friends at the University of Ibadan formed the Pyrites ‘Confraternity with the motto ‘’Against all Conventions’’. The skull and cross bones were their insignia, cultivating a bohemian style that ridiculed the colonial attitudes mode of dress of the day. This caught on among students and over the next two decades, the fraternity, a non –violent body, became established in all the tertiary institutions that emerged in post- independence Nigeria.
In the mid- 1980s, reports had it that some of the cults have been co-opted by elements in the intelligence and security services serving the military government such that they were used as foils to the left- wing student unions which, along with university teachers, were among the only remaining bastions of opposition to military rule.
Cultism includes the activities of secret cults or societies that are very rampant in our institutions of learning today. This has not only created an atmosphere of insecurity in our campuses, it is also diverting attention from the primary purpose of the universities which is education.
Taiwo(2004) declared that’ ’What we are all witnessing today in the education sector is a sad reflection of corruption in the society and the low priority placed on standardization and improvement of the intellectual custodians of our time by those in governance’’. This is against the fact that most members of these cults are from rich homes and are never serious with their studies; thus prompting their venturing into examination malpractices.
1.2 Statement of the problem
The basic conditions for sustained academic culture have been eroded in tertiary institution. And it has been a negative impact in tertiary institution which little attention has been given to the consequence. Sometimes students are attacked, killing with acids, charms, machetes, Knives, guns, daylight and gang rapping, loss of life, property and harassing of female students. Obada –Obieh(2002).
There is no peace in campus, series of examination malpractice, killing of lecturers. Public Relations as problem- solving communication are expected to create strategies to enlighten the students and make them aware of what is needed of in an academic community .In order to tackle this problem successfully both the students and general public and the government should take the challenges upon themselves.
1.3 Rationale Of The Study
The Research of the study is carried out due to the high rate of moral decadence among student in tertiary institution. It focuses on the relevance measures in which public relations and any external body could adopt to solve social phenomenon in tertiary institution in Nigeria.
The study tries to portrayed the relationship and effect between the students and the cultism in Nigeria institution.
1.4 Objectives Of The Study
The aims of this study include the following;
1. To examine the different causes of cultism in tertiary institution
2.To examine the role of Public Relations as strategies tool to reach the audience
3.To study the various challenges the cultists group have caused on the school activities.
1.5 Hypothesis
Media relation has a significant effect in the fight against cultism in
Nigeria Tertiary Institution.
1.6 Research Questions
1.Why do students get involve in cultism in tertiary institution?
2. What roles does the Public Relations play to combat cultism in Nigeria tertiary institution?
3. What are the problems the cultists group caused on campus?
4. What are the tools put in place to mobilize and encourage students on cultism in the institution?
1.7 Significance Of Study
This research is chosen because it will enlighten the student about the risk of joining a cult or being a member of a cult, and help to excavate the evolution and the remote cause of cultism on campuses and proffer and enduring solution to it.
1.8 Scope Of The Study
The study focuses on public relations strategies and the fight against cultism in Nigeria tertiary institutions.
1.9 Definition Of Terms
Publics; Communication of people at large whether or not organized as group that have a direct or indirect association.
Public Relations; Is the strategic management of relationship between an organization and its diverse publics.
Strategies; A plan that is intended to achieve a particular purpose.
Cultism; This is an association of people that comes together to form a religious body having common belief, mode of worship and activities are done in an isolated and private place.
Institution; Is a social structure in which people co- operate and influences the behavior of people and way they live.
Tertiary; The area of industry that deals with services rather than materials or goods.