It was a windy Sunday evening. Tertiary institution students had just returned home for a session break. Timi was seated by the entrance of his house when Oshuko – his neighbor’s son – returned from the University. Everyone in the compound who was outside greeted him and the kids ran to hug him. There sat Timi, who was smiling and admiring Oshuko as everyone adored him and was excited to see him. Timi waved his left hand to say his hello and Oshuko responded; “later make you show come my side.” Timi was really excited and looked forward to their tryst.

Timi had just finished his SSCE (Senior Secondary Certificate of Education), and had applied for the forthcoming university JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board) exams.

Later that evening, Timi went to Oshuko’s house to visit him.

Oshuko to Timi: “Timi you’re now a big boy oh, are you done with your secondary school?” “Yes Boss”; Responded Timi.

“What school will you be applying for?”; Asked Oshuko. “Bros Oshuko, e be like say na your school I go apply for. I really like Uniben and I go like make we dey the same school.” Responded Timi. “Okay, that won’t be bad. I will show you the other side of campus. You will have maximum protection, and have access to all the beautiful girls on campus.” said Oshuko. Timi laughed, and Oshuko told tales of campus life to Timi. When Timi returned to his house, he was day dreaming about all Oshuko had told him.

Six months later, Timi had successfully gained admission into the University of Benin to study Accounting.

As a 100 Level chap, it was really a dream come through. Meanwhile, Oshuko was truly showing him the other side of Campus. From partying with different girls, to hanging out with the so called “Big Boys” on Campus; Oshuko carried Timi along. This life was not only alien to Timi, he went home each day feeling too excited to go to bed early.

Then one day, while hanging out with Oshuko and his Campus Big Boys squad, he whispered into Oshuko’s ears. “Bros Oshuko, I go like be like this your friends oh.” Oshuko laughed and whispered back at him; “Are you sure you have what it takes?” Timi responded; ” I will try, I really like you guys.”

Oshuko smiled and said; “No worry, we go reason am later. Enjoy yourself.”

It was one of those Fridays in school. At some corners, students were planning the next party for the weekend. At others, students were discussing assignments; while others were talking about hangouts and movies. Just right there at the corner of the classroom, as Timi was about to step out, his phone rang. It was Oshuko. “Meet me now at Iya Joy’s restaurant in Ekosodi”. Timi responded; “Okay Bros.” And Oshuko hung up.

He found his way down there and he met two guys from the Campus Big Boys squad drinking and smoking some sticks of cigarettes.

Oshuko then told Timi; “Follow Pius when he is leaving, I will meet you later.” At that moment Timi felt the pit of his stomach tighten, he knew that there must be something different about what he’s about to experience. But at this point, there was no turning back.

When they got to Pius’s house, he offered Timi some drinks and told him to relax and feel at home. Although Timi felt uneasy, he had to pretend like all was well.

Hours had passed, when about five young lads – who looked as young as Timi was – entered into Pius room. They said hello to him and sat down on the available chairs in the room. Shortly, Pius walked in and told everyone of them to form a single file and head out, as they got out one after another, there was a bus waiting to receive them. As they all got into the bus, Pius occupied the passenger seat beside the driver and the bus zoomed off.

They drove for hours until they appeared in a deserted area only covered with bushes. The bus stopped and Pius asked them all to come down and keep walking, they walked into a space filled with other members of the Campus Big Boys, and they were asked to get on their knees. The procedure started.

Timi became a member of the Campus Big Boys that fateful night. Then all of a sudden, his whole world came crashing slowly. Timi began to lose focus on his academics, and got engaged in constant gang battles. He started finding it difficult to improve on his academics, and by 300Level, he had so many carry overs. His level adviser had to invite Timi to his office and talk to him about his academic performance. It was like all talk fell on deaf ears; as Timi had gone deep into his new life and had totally forgotten his primary assignment.

Timi struggled into 400Level, but couldn’t graduate with his mates as a result of excess carry over in his courses. He had an extra year, then another extra year, until he was advised to withdraw by the school authority.

This has been the sad case of many promising young men in our society today. A lot started with a promising future but ended up throwing it all into the wind because of this societal cancer eating deep into our society known as Cultism.

I’m sure many of you reading this must have one way or the other come across cult clashes, and heard about the tales of the massacre that come out of it. You may as well ask; What is the impact of Cultism on young minds?

The story of Timi is similar to that young man in your neighborhood, who is either in jail, or terrorizing the community. Can this cancer be stopped?

I won’t bore you with the types of secret society we have in Nigeria, as you are already aware. What we need to focus on is how to stop this menace in our society and re-engineer the young minds.

Recently, the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, signed the anti-cultism bill, which prescribes a 21-year jail term for convicted cultists, into law. This law stipulates 21-year jail term for convicted cultists and 15-year jail time for those found guilty of abetting cultism.

As you can see, the government is putting measures to combat Cultism but aren’t looking at nibbing the bud from the root.

Cultism has been a bane among the Nigerian youths since time memorial. Although cultism is practiced in other parts of the world, the Nigerian cultism experience is something worth having a critical look on. The evils of cultism have been felt in every nook and crannies of the country. And despite the obvious lack of gains in the practices, many youths still troop in to join.

One out of 10 persons belongs to a cult group or have association with cultism. Why hasn’t it been eradicated in the Nigerian life? If you look closely, the answer isn’t farfetched – Politics!

One of the major drivers of cultism is politics. In addition to this, it has become the new lifestyle among the Nigerian youth, such that it is gradually becoming a common trend.

How do we curb this menace and reduce any possible catastrophic effect in the future? A number of suggestions have been raised. Yet, the trends still loom in disparity.

Some solutions that have been shared are;

If the economy can attain new shape and reduce the number of unemployed youths, a striking balance can be reached at some point.

If the society shuns cultism and rejects the practice, many youths will definitely never dream of getting themselves involved.

At this junction, I want to leave you with this quote by Anyaele Sam Chiyson; “Nothing affects the youths like drugs, sex, money and cultism. Mentor your child very well.”

Article by: Onyei Charles