Redefining Confraternities: Empowering Nigeria's Youth for Unity and Progress - By Taghogho Von Apochi
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A cult is a social group defined by its unorthodox religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs and practices, often centered around a charismatic leader and involving strict loyalty and control over members.
A confraternity, on the other hand, is an organized group or society often associated with a religious or academic institution, formed for mutual support and communal activities, typically focusing on charitable, educational, or religious purposes.
Let us see some examples:
In the United States, the most influential and well-known collegiate secret societies or fraternities, often with significant power and historical impact, include:
1. Skull and Bones - Yale University (Founded in 1832)
2. Scroll and Key - Yale University (Founded in 1842)
3. The Porcellian Club - Harvard University (Founded in 1791)
These organizations are known for their selective membership and influence in various professional and political spheres.
In Nigeria, the leadership SOME tertiary institutions was historically so corrupt that they feared what the confraternities could do to expose them. They embarked on a campaign to vilify these groups, using the media to distort the purpose and essence of confraternities like the Pyrates Confraternity, the Neo Black Movement, and the Buccaneers Confraternity. Parents were fed these falsehoods, and miscreants were recruited to infiltrate the noble confraternities. Soon, some of these violent infiltrators became leaders, desecrating systems built on nobility, accountability, and the fight against corruption and oppression. Many ignorant members of these confraternities now act as though they are cultists, further damaging their reputations.
Information is power. Confraternities help develop society, provide individuals with a sense of belonging, and offer members advantages in politics, the corporate labor market, and more.
Conclusively, I encourage each confraternity to review their inner workings and constitutions and reform their systems. They should be strict against violence and reprimand members who bring disrepute to them.
Taghogho Von Apochi, 2024.
Confran in my country is all about violence....in western world or civilised country might be different...still I don't support it....
ReplyDeleteYou have a point ✊🏽🤵🏽
ReplyDeleteSaliu Aruna
ReplyDeleteConfraternity in my country have been abused, mariad minded youths who where supposed to work with the original plan and purpose of confraternity which is primarily defence of human rights, we see this youths are now the once committing crimes all in the name of confraternity, killing themselves for reasons that doesn't worth it, engaging in various crimes and hiding under the umbrella of confraternity, for this reasons, the security outfits and the public now see confraternity as a huge crime
Information is power! Yes! But in the issue of the part of confraternity, it actually helps develop societies, provides individuals with the sense of belongings and offered members advantages of in politics and more. But today especially here in Nigeria, everything has turned to evil and the name referred to as a cult. Which made many parents and individuals scared from it as it's no longer a thing of the aforementioned benefits as all is now for violence.
ReplyDelete2322315260. ODUGBA LUCKY OKE. UBA
ReplyDelete2322315260. ODUGBA OKE LUCKY. UBA
ReplyDeleteA very apt submission but, turning the hand of clock back as regards cultism to fraternity as the both word applies in the Nigeria context is 98% reversibpole. As such, I advice the government to abolish fraternity in Nigeria. Fraternity is synonymous to corruption here in Nigeria.98% out of 100% is corrupt. It's like a "CULTURE" the way of the people.Thanks
ReplyDeleteI mean, irreversible..
DeleteConfraternity in recent context is synonymous to violence, some youths find it as a safe haven, a home of protection! Changing that concept is equally telling them to be vulnerable. The grooming of the mind must start from infantry and by personal actions. You can't tell a child cigarette smoking is bad when he constantly sees you in the company of smokers. If the youths can feel safe in their school environment, they won't be tempted to join or participate in violence. Teach them the value of Life! Let your lifestyle do the teaching!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you that confraternity was used to bring ideas and to develop the community but these present age has turned it upside.
ReplyDeleteIn my country, confraternity is headed by illiterate being that use it to terrorized the community, Town and country and also they are used by politicians to exhibit evil act to their enemies.
If you hear of confraternity in my country, the only thought that will run down my mind will be, they are the unbelievers
Shola Shonibare
ReplyDelete3048676372
First bank
Secret Cultism and confraternity has become a crucial issue in Nigerian higher institutions! To tackle the continual abuse the difference between confraternity and secret cults should be clearly outlined and the later frowned at. Nigerian society can take a few steps to curb the decadence and abuse
ReplyDelete_Education and awareness_: Organize workshops, seminars, and campaigns to enlighten students about the history and true purpose of confraternities, as well as the dangers of secret cults.Clear definitions to Establish and publicize clear definitions of confraternities and secret cults, highlighting their differences and the harmful activities of the latter.
._Regulation and monitoring_: Universities should establish and enforce strict regulations governing student organizations, monitoring their activities to prevent cult-like behavior.
. _Student engagement_: Encourage student participation in legitimate confraternities and extracurricular activities that promote social responsibility, community service, and character development.
Also Provide counseling and support services for students who have been influenced by secret cults or are struggling with related issues.
Furthermore, Universities should work closely with law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute secret cult members, while protecting students who report cult activities.
Alumni and parental involvement... Engage alumni in mentorship programs, encouraging them to share their experiences and guide students towards positive relationships.Encourage parents to be aware of their children's activities and associations, fostering open communication and support.
By implementing these measures, Nigerian higher institutions and even our society can draw a clear line between confraternity and secret cults, promoting a safer and more positive environment for our younger generation..
0221809098 GTB
Omena Edhughoro
Confraternity in Nigeria like all places and all things human has been abused..
ReplyDeleteIt is no longer news to hear of these cult related killing today because the critical small mass of leadership use violence as a means to an end.So why they publicly call for an end to these killings they Infact sponsor minions within their group to carry out these attacks.
DeleteIn Edo state recently;it was published that the governor gave out monies to these groups to share for a certain purpose.why was this money shared and who benefited most is a topic for another day.But the fact is that these groups thrive on violence to create awareness to garner favours for the hierarchy who in turn oils the machinery of violence.This trend can only be stopped if hierarchy needs it to but it never will because it's an oil well to those at the top.
Reorientation is possible and essentially important on a personal level but because of poverty,drugs and minions with low IQ levels these confraternites will never see an end to killings they can only be reduced.The hierarchy knows about major workings within it's minions.There is essentially no new tricks in their constitutions and can continue the blame game but the fire they sustain through monetary inducements,tacit approval and riding on the so called glories these minions continue to give them may someday devour them individually.It is only a matter of WHEN not It is no longer news to hear of these cult related killing today because the critical small mass of leadership use violence as a means to an end.So why they publicly call for an end to these killings they Infact sponsor minions within their group to carry out these attacks.
In Edo state recently;it was published that the governor gave out monies to these groups to share for a certain purpose.why was this money shared and who benefited most is a topic for another day.But the fact is that these groups thrive on violence to create awareness to garner favours for the hierarchy who in turn oils the machinery of violence.This trend can only be stopped if hierarchy needs it to but it never will because it's an oil well to those at the top.
Reorientation is possible and essentially important on a personal level but because of poverty,drugs and minions with low IQ levels these confraternites will never see an end to killings they can only be reduced.The hierarchy knows about major workings within it's minions.There is essentially no new tricks in their constitutions and can continue the blame game but the fire they sustain through monetary inducements,tacit approval and riding on the so called glories these minions continue to give them may someday devour them individually.It is only a matter of WHEN not IF...
Wolverine Victor 0067895622 sterling bank
The Sensitisation should begin, the perfect way to go!
ReplyDeleteI think you meant fraternity instead of confraternity.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, in Nigeria the other students secret societies were all offshoots of the Pyrate fraternity (Sea dogs) that was cofounded by Wole Soyinka. One struggles to understand their aims and objectives in these present times.
Also, I fail to see the helping hands they lend to their members who are in dire need of help not to talk of extending reasonable help to members of the wider society.
Your write-up is succinct, seminal and spot on. Add to your suggestions that political unity courses should be introduced by confraternities to educate their members on tolerance, patriotism and unity.
ReplyDeleteIn those days confraternity is a group of bodies organised and meant for a better purpose in
ReplyDeleteDeveloping societies and provides one with sense of belongings which also stands as a bedrock in instance of political bodies as protections with both religious and academic beliefs of old.
But in today's world, confraternity has become a thing endangering the lives of both students and citizens of the country as everything has been turned into violence whereby Young teen's would be equipped with dangerous weapons to harm one another in the name of being the strongest groups amongst the different confraternities.
In both tertiary and higher institutions today, the ways and measures on initiating members is so barbaric and condemnable to the society which sometimes even leads to death or being in coma.
You sometimes sees them especially the youths shooting sporadically in a broad daylight within the street making many scared and also got injured and even deaths.
Presently, anyone who got admission into any higher institution of learning, the first word from his or her parents always caution about confraternities which is termed a danger to every well bred up individuals. With the systems and ways of practicing confraternities now especially in this country whereby some people believed that they are mini God's and at same time above the law. I hereby by condemned it's existence and urges every citizens to desist from it. Thanks. 2322315260. ODUGBA OKE LUCKY. UBA
Your submission is well understood ; I quite agree with some of your observations... However, i disagree with the area where you claimed miscreants were recruited by the authorities to infiltrate confraternities...What i think befell confraternities in Nigeria, is the decadence paralysis strangulating the fabric of the Nigerian society ; it's trickle down effect... Corruption and the neglect of our value system brought about the downturn of confraternity in Nigeria...
ReplyDeleteTaghogho, you may have to Mark my word : Whenever the country starts experiencing systemic improvement, Confraternity gets better and would perhaps, serves its purpose in this clime...