The speaker of the Student Union Government (SUG) of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Rt. Hon. (Amb.) Ekeyere Miracle, has stated that the student legislative arm will support initiatives against cultism and other vices in the university.
Miracle, who recently became the speaker of the 38th Assembly of UNIBEN, told LEADERSHIP that the university, which has a legacy of excellence, has resolved to rid the institution of cultism.
The speaker said students found engaging in such vices shall be dealt with according to the law.
To strengthen awareness and advocacy against this societal menace, Miracle noted that the student body must intensify campaigns to educate the university community about the devastating consequences of cultism.
He said, “The University of Benin is a legacy of excellence, but social vices dim our glory. Today, let us commit to decisive action through education, enforcement, support, collaboration, and technology to build a UNIBEN where every student thrives in safety and integrity.
“I call on every UNIBENite: report responsibly, support your peers, and uphold our motto, ‘Knowledge for Service.’ Together, we can make UNIBEN a model of academic and moral excellence in Nigeria and beyond.”
Cultism and related vices have become a societal menace, encroaching from universities to secondary and even primary schools, particularly in the southern part of Nigeria.
The student union also plans to collaborate with the Edo State Police and anti-cultism task forces to dismantle cult networks operating in Ekehuan and Ekosodin areas near the campus.
“Many UNIBEN students engage in vices due to academic pressure, financial stress, or lack of guidance. We must create a supportive ecosystem where every student feels empowered to succeed.
“Part of our plans in the SUG is to form a UNIBEN Anti-Vice Task Force, comprising SUG representatives, faculty deans, and alumni, to monitor and address issues like cultism and drug abuse.
We shall support student-led initiatives, such as anti-cultism rallies or ‘Exam Integrity Week,’ to empower UNIBENites as agents of change and partner with Edo-based NGOs, like the Cleen Foundation.”
Other action steps, he said include developing a UNIBEN mobile app with an anonymous reporting feature for students to flag cult activities, exam leaks, or harassment. He stressed that UNIBEN must uphold a zero-tolerance policy for social vices, backed by transparent and consistent enforcement.
“We confront a pressing challenge facing our beloved University of Benin, a citadel of learning and excellence. Social vices such as cultism, exam malpractice, substance abuse, and harassment threaten the safety, integrity, and academic prestige of UNIBEN. I stand here to outline practical, collective strategies to eradicate these vices and restore our campus as a beacon of scholarship and moral uprightness,” he added.
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