The Implication Of Ritualism On Moral Development Of Nigerian Youths

Project and Seminar Material for Sociology

The Implication Of Ritualism On Moral Development Of Nigerian Youths

Abstract

The broad objective of this study borders on the implication of ritualism on moral development of Nigeria Youth using Owerri metropolis in Imo State as case study. The research design adopted for this study is the survey method in data collection. It is used to obtain the peoples opinion through the questionnaire. The sampling technique adopted for this research is purposive sampling technique. A researchers purposively selected 150 respondent who are Youths in Owerri Mucipal, Imo State was drawn as the sample size for the study. Data was analyzed using simple percentage in frequencies and tables. Hypothesis test was conducted using Chi-Square Statistical package for social science (SPSS). Findings of the study reveals that youth involvement in ritualism has the potency of undermining their moral development hence they cannot uphold societal norms and values like hard work, honesty, respect for elders, cooperation, self reliance, decent dressing, among others. Additionally, the High rate of ritualism especially in Owerri Municipal contributes to moral decadence and societal deterioration thus becomes a matter that requires urgent attention in Nigeria Society. The study therefore recommends that there should be no sacred cows in terms of punishment for the ritualists. Government, Civil Societies and various Non-governmental organizations should identify ritual killing as a harmful tradition in its programs and campaigns should be carried out to expose the ignorance, superstition and rationale underlie the belief and practice of ritual killing in Nigeria.

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Moral education is an issue that is currently being widely discussed as a result of the moral decadence of youths. The Nigerian society particularly is now in serious crisis for the high level of immorality that prevails in our society perpetrated by Youth. Today so many adolescent and adults are delinquent and divided in character. These range from immoral activities such as rape, sexual violence, and deviant behaviours to dire criminal activities such as man-stealing, kidnapping, human sacrifice, murder, armed robbery, vandalism, and a host of others. Within the space of the last few years, Nigeria has recorded an increase in ritual killing.

Ritual killing is a common phenomenon in Nigerian daily life. It has become a regular event when hundreds of Nigerians lost their lives to ritual killers or what Nwakanma, & Abu, (2020) called, “Head Hunters.” The ritual killers go about in search of human parts – heads, breasts, tongues, and sex organs – as demanded by witch doctors, juju priests, traditional medicine men or women and/or occultists who require such for their dubious sacrifices or for the preparation of assorted magical portions (Igwe, 2010). In daily newspapers and magazines, many more Nigerians than ever before are declared missing, just as the incidence of ritual killings attains worrisome dimensions. Yet the authorities appear helpless (Aiyetan, 2003).

In the contemporary Nigeria, ritual killing has taken new dimension. Tell magazines describe the scene as the “Reign of the Ritualists” (Elesho2004). Many diverse means are used to kidnap people with evil intentions; especially for rituals. Many of those kidnapped for such purposes are long gone but there are a lucky few who actually live to tell the story of their encountered with the ritualists. Some of the kidnappers caught with their victims some time dead or half-dead also testified of their dubious acts (Aiyetan, 2003). There are all sorts of stories of various techniques of kidnapping; some people disappeared on picking or touching some items set as trap by ritualists or kidnappers. It seems obvious in Nigeria that ritual killers are more prevalent at certain seasons in the year – like the weeks leading to Christmas and during some yearly pilgrimages. It is generally believed that people engage in sacrifice of human beings to get money to spend at such festive periods. There are some known cases of people who killed their wives, husbands, mothers or even their children for money making rituals (Aiyetan, 2003).

Notably, Yahoo plus rituals is the latest on board which is an advanced development to that of normal Yahoo – Yahoo crime. Most yahoo plus boys do not need to defraud or fleece anyone in order to have money. In most cases, they just need to have sex with girls in order to take their destiny and make them look useless or died suddenly thereafter. Yahoo ritualists look for ladies‟ underwear for ritual. For the fear of Yahoo Boys, people in some parts of the country no longer hang their clothes on ropes outside in order not to fall victim of Yahoo ritualists (Ritualists, 2018).

According to Aghawenu (202), the crazy desire cuts across all geographical boundaries and social strata and the extremes Nigerians can go in their bid to satiate their appetite for cheap wealth and varieties of life are unprecedented which is deterimental to the moral development of these youths.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Inculcation of morality is the basic task of socialization process in every culture which includes the communication of moral standard, shaping and enforcing the practice of “good” behaviours in the development child. However, moral issues have been neglected in the present time which resulted into serious moral decadence. It could be argued that the neglect of moral education is responsible for the rampant cases of armed robbery, unwanted pregnancies, child abandonment, examination malpractice, cultism, drug trafficking, embezzlement of public fund, corruption, dishonesty etc. This negligence could be part of the explanation for the disorders, crisis and anxiety that are so common in our society.

With these recurrent incidences of ritual killings in the country, one is forced to ask why such brutal and barbaric act persists in spite of the level of civilization and globalization. Various explanations have been offered by scholars and many social scientists. While some blame the problem on the economic conditions in the country especially as ritual killings increase in periods of economic hardship; others argue that traditional beliefs in fetish and rituals have permeated the twenty-first century. Salisbury (2012) noted that those who practice sacrifice and ritual killings believe them to be acts of spiritual fortification. Motivations to carry out these acts include the use of human body parts for medicinal purposes and the belief that human body parts possess supernatural powers that bring prosperity and protection. In Uganda, for instance, researches have shown that human sacrifice is usually done by many wealthy persons in an effort to expand their fortunes. In Swaziland and Liberia, politicians allegedly commission ritual killings to improve their odds in elections ( Igwe, 2010).

In Nigeria, many people still believe that charms and ritual sacrifices can fortify them spiritually, enhance their fortunes in business and during elections, or protect them from harm, disease, poverty, accident, death or destruction. These beliefs have been identified to further encourage some youth to participate in ritual murders to appease deities, pray for supernatural favours, ward off misfortune or create mystical wealth hence endangering their moral development. Thus it is agianst this background that this study seeks to examine the implication of ritualism on moral development of Nigeria Youth.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The broad goal of this study borders on the implication of ritualism on moral development of Nigeria Youth. Specifically the study focused on the following precise objectives:

  1. To determine the nature of ritual killings perpetuated by Nigeria Youth.
  2. To ascertain the purpose of youth engagement in ritualism.
  3. To investigate whether youth involvement in ritualism undermine their moral development.
  4. To establish whether high rate of ritualism contributes to moral decadence in Nigeria Society.

1.4 Research Hypothesis

  • HO1: Youth involvement in ritualism does not undermine their moral development.
  • HO2: High rate of ritualism contributes to moral decadence in Nigeria Society

1.5 Significance of the Study

The result of the study will be of relevance to policy makers, Nigeria Youths and religious bodies. To policy makers, findings of the study will enlighten policy makers on the need to establish guiding principles to curtail ritual killing and establish punishment for those caught in this devilish act. To government, the study will also emphasize on the need to introduce poverty alleviation program, employment opportunities and support of entrepreneur as this will go a long way in reducing criminal behaviour among jobless youths. More the study will emphasize the need for to intensify teaching of moral education in schools, universities and as well encourage teachers/lecturers that teach moral education to be role model for our youths among others as this will reduce the rate of ritualism in Nigeria. Empirically, the study will add to the body of existing literature on ritualism as serve as reference material to scholars and student who wishes to conduct further studies in related field.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The scope of this study borders on the implication of ritualism on moral development of Nigeria Youth. The study will further discuss the nature and purpose for ritual killings perpetuated by Nigeria Youth. It will investigate if youths’ involvement in ritualism undermine their moral development and if high rate of ritualism contributes to moral decadence in Nigeria Society. The study is however delimited to South-East region with reference to Owerri Municipal, Imo State.

1.7 Limitation of the Study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scantiness of literature on implication of ritualism on moral development of Nigeria Youth. discourse. Thus much time and organization was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection. Also the study is limited in period as the study covered only South East region precisely owerri Municipal. Therefore findings of this study cannot be used for generalization for other regions or State which creates a gap for further studies.

1.8 Definition of Terms

Ritualism:

Also known as Ritual killings is a violent and extreme type of criminal homicide in which vital organs of the victim are excised by the slayers for use in “sacred” rites.

Moral Development:

Moral development focuses on the emergence, change, and understanding of morality from infancy through adulthood. Morality develops across a lifetime and is influenced by an individual’s experiences and behavior when faced with moral issues through different periods of physical and cognitive development.

Moral Decadence:

This means a gross reduction in the moral values in a particular society. It appears to be a fall’ in the moral standard of the society and a deterioration or a collapse in upholding our societal values, beliefs, norms and ethical standards.

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary

The broad objective of this study borders on the implication of ritualism on moral development of Nigeria Youth using Owerri metropolis in Imo State as case study. Specifically the study determined the nature of ritual killings perpetuated by Nigeria Youth. It seeks to ascertain the purpose of youth engagement in ritualism. It will investigate whether youth involvement in ritualism undermine their moral development. It will establish whether high rate of ritualism contributes to moral decadence in Nigeria Society.

The research design adopted for this study is the survey method in data collection. It is used to obtain the peoples opinion through the questionnaire. The sampling technique adopted for this research is purposive sampling technique. A researchers purposively selected 150 respondent who are Youths in Owerri Mucipal, Imo State was drawn as the sample size for the study. Data was analyzed using simple percentage in frequencies and tables. Hypothesis test was conducted using Chi-Square Statistical package for social science (SPSS).

5.2 Conclusion

Youths are considered the backbone of every society and are seen as the leaders of tomorrow. However, youths have remain at the center of immoral acts and other vices which are capable of destroying their future. Many Nigerian youths today have been lured into accepting dangerous life styles, involving the acts of smoking, cultism and the apex of it is the high involvement of youth in human sacrifices through ritualism. Therefore, moral decadence has continue to replace core values in the society. Youths now are not concerned with how their tomorrow will be better through innovations but rather focus on enriching themselves by any means necessary at a tender age even though it involves shedding of blood of innocent souls. The ritual killers go about in search of human parts – heads, breasts, tongues, and sex organs – as demanded by witch doctors, juju priests, traditional medicine men or women and/or occultists who require such for their dubious sacrifices or for the preparation of assorted magical portions.

Findings of this study reveals that those who practice sacrifice and ritual killings believe them to be acts of spiritual fortification. Other motivations to carry out these acts include the use of human body parts for medicinal purposes and the belief that human body parts possess supernatural powers that bring prosperity and protection, voodoo to be able to perform their yahoo plus enterprise, youths, try by all means to get rich especially through “ritual wealth” or “blood money”.

The study therefore concludes that Youth involvement in ritualism has the potency of undermining their moral development hence they cannot uphold societal norms and values like hard work, honesty, respect for elders, cooperation, self reliance, decent dressing, among others. Additionally, the High rate of ritualism especially in Owerri Municipal contributes to moral decadence and societal deterioration thus becomes a matter that requires urgent attention in Nigeria Society.

5.3 Recommendation

Base on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are proffered:

  1. Parents and Family, as the first agents of socialization, should strive to inculcate in their children the accepted norms and values of the society.
  2. The government should play the important role of improving the standard of living of the people because many individuals, especially youths, are engaged in immoral acts due to poverty and high rate of unemployment.
  3. Offences committed should also be dealt with accordingly which will serve as deterrence to others.
  4. There should be no sacred cows in terms of punishment for the ritualists. There is an urgent need for a national and an international campaign to end this inhuman practice.
  5. Government, Civil Societies and various Non-governmental organizations should identify ritual killing as a harmful tradition in its programs and campaigns should be carried out to expose the ignorance, superstition and rationale underlie the belief and practice of ritual killing in Nigeria.
  6. Last but not least, religious leaders should be included in the fight against moral decadence in the society, through their preaching especially because the two major religions do not condone any act of immorality.

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