Abstract
The study finds out the role of Anambra broadcasting service Awka in the fight against cultism
in Nnamdi Azikiwe University. It looks at the degree, causes and ways of curbing cultism as well
as its implication on academic and other parts of life on the inhabitants in the campus. Survey
method was used to gather some information that helped in putting this project in order which
questionnaire was used as the instrument to collect data. Simple random sampling was used to
select each element involved in the study giving a total of 100 respondents involved in the study.
The findings got from the questionnaire show that Anambra Broadcasting Service are doing a
great work in curbing cultism in Nnamdi Azikiwe University. It is recommended that parents,
government of the state, law enforcement bodies and staff of Anambra Broadcasting Service
should take a giant step forward in helping eradicate cultism in Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Awka.
1.1 Background of the Study
It is always a tale of sorrows, tears and blood whenever cult members are on strike.
Inorderwords, they have no regard for laws and respect, any Authority or order. In some higher
institutions’ today, they have almost taken over control of activities even those who tried to cross
their bridge were wasted in a terrible manner.
Hanks (2003) in a paper titled “focus on the menace of student cult” raised an alarm on senseless
killings on the campus and mass acquiring of dangerous weapons by students for they are
gradually running the university into a theatre of war. In a further emphasis, the writer attributed
this act to inadequate parental care that gives rise to such violent groups of people. Instead they
are mostly concerned with their businesses leaving their children to attend late night parties,
watch pornographic video films, leading to negative values.
Cult members engage in many dangerous acts such as armed robbery, ritual killing, arson, rape,
prostitution, drugs, open conflicts, witch-hunting, assassination and host of other deviant
behaviors. In recent times, most of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University lecturers and students have
been battered upon and utimediated by cult members. Many lives have lost and properties worth
millions of naira destroyed. According to Mr. Gabriel Okpalaeze ( head of news department) in
Anambra Broadcasting Service Awka presently their managing director asserted, it is estimated
that twenty thousand student have been killed since cultism started at the institution in the 1990s.
It has equally been projected that absence of any radical action, another four thousand would die
in next twenty years.
There is no doubt that many serious minded students and lecturers on campus are under constant
fear of being attacked deliberately or mistakenly by members of secret cults.
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The frequency of cult activities in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka has become a source of
anxiety to educators, religious ministers, students, government, the professionally trained
guidance counselors and the general public hence the clarion call from all and sundry to find a
lasting solution to cultism among the youths in the university is necessary.
The number of secret cult members in the campus has not only increased but have also become
more instruments in recent times. In other words they no longer hide their identities; their
activities disrupt academic programs and anger, violence and social disorder as well as threaten
the security of lives and property in the school as they operate in broad daylight.
However, the fact still remains that the school was established with the basic aim of producing
students who are expected to take over the month of leadership in the nearest future.
To have a balanced education however, can only be given and received in the school with
conducive atmosphere that is the school that is not polluted by the activities of secret cult
members.
Nigeria television authority Awka which performs function like informing, educating,
entertaining, educating, entertaining, agenda setting etc need to be employed adequately in the
fight against cultism in the school.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Over the years, activities of the cult in Nnamdi Azikiwe University have created a poor
atmosphere that has prevented serious academic activities to be carried out. As a result many
serious minded students and lecturers who reside within the school premise are always on fear.
The constant fear of cult members in the school has hampered to a large extent the academic
pursuit of serious minded students.
However in order to resolve this kind of situation, there is need to employ the functional role of
television, such is informing, educating and entertaining the populace which will serve as the
relevance in this context.
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Therefore the aim of the study is to examine how Anambra broadcasting service Awka can help
to checkmate the activities of cultism in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1. To determine the existence of cultism in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka.
2. To find out the role of Anambra broadcasting service in the fight of cultism in the
institution
3. To determine the various methods Anambra broadcasting service uses to fight cultism
at UNIZIK.
4. To determine the impacts of Anambra broadcasting service roles in fighting cultism
at UNIZIK.
5. To find out if there is any identifiable problem confronting Anambra broadcasting
service Awka in her effort to fight against cultism at UNIZIK Awka.
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions were formulated for the study.
1. To what extent does cultism exist in Nnamdi Azikiwe University?
2. What are the factors responsible for the existence of secret cults in Nnamdi Azikiwe
University Awka?
3. In what ways could the activities of secret cults affect academic activities and social
life in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka?
4. What roles does Anambra Broadcasting service Awka play?
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5. What should be the problem confronting Anambra broadcasting service Awka in
curbing cultism in Unizik?
1.5 Scope of Study
The issue of cultism is very vast and diverse. An attempt to conduct study into all aspects of
cultism, May entails a lifetime investment of thousands of men hours and perhaps the research
may not be completed.
However, the researcher delimited his study to the role of Anambra broadcasting service Awka
in the fight against cultism which focused on the study of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka.
1.6 Significance of Study
The significant of this study lies in its potential to benefit the students, lecturers and workers in
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka in the fight against cultism. This study will help the board of
trustees in the school to know how best to employ Anambra broadcasting services Awka in
combating the vice
In the area of scholarship, the study is relevant in that its becomes another contribution to the
wealth of research already done on the subject and other related subject. Further research would
also benefit from it as it is potentially a stepping stone to them.
To the researcher as an individual, the study served in giving him a deeper insight into brooding
his horizon generally in the field of communication.
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms.
According to CICERO as cited by Okoro (1998; 29) “any systematic treatment of a subject
should begin with a definition, so that everyone may understand the subject of enquiry. Based on
the above, the major terms in this works defined below;
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CONFRONTATION: A situation in which there is angry disagreement between people or group
of people who have different opinion. In the context of my research, there are times when cult
members disagree with themselves and that causes problem among themselves.
CULTURAL HERITAGE; The values and norms, we inherit from our ancestors.
DELIBERATELY; Process of carefully considering or discussing something.
PROLIFERATION; Increase or growth in number of certain reality, for instance in this research
work it’s used as multiplication of number of cult group in Nnamdi Azikiwe university.
TERRORISM; The use of violent action in order to achieve political aims or t force a
government to act. In the context, the cult members use it to achieve some aims in the university
like rubbing and getting power.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; Doing what the society view best for the welfare of the people in
general or for a specific community of people. In this context, it is the responsibility of the board
of trustees’ disciplinary committee to carry out the duties required of them and students as well.
UNIVERSITY; An institution at the highest or territory level of education where you can study
for a degree. For instance Nnamdi Azikiwe is an institution of highest level in education as well
as known as university.