Akeem Lasisi, the Ogun State chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), has appealed to the federal government to launch a campaign against cultism in schools across the country.

“There should be campaigns by government and non-governmental organisations to educate youth, parents, and other members of society about the ills and consequences of cultism,” Mr Lasisi said in an interview on Saturday.

He recommended that the campaigns be carried out through mass media.

“This can also be done by allowing those that have succeeded within the society, especially from their alma mater, to come back and give lectures to these students,” he said.

Mr Lasisi noted that the illicit act was already being introduced into both primary and secondary schools in the country by criminal elements.

The ASUSS chairman explained that taking necessary action was important before the act became uncontrollable.

“Similarly, there must be aware of the evils of cultism among these students. Let them know that anyone that engages in it will have to pay with their life,” he said.

He added that parents must also be good examples to their children, saying that children learn directly or indirectly from actions exhibited at home.

Mr Lasisi also suggested that anti-cultism should be included in Civic Education, being a core subject.

“Above all, the government should work to increase the standard of living in the society. When the standard of living is okay, the rate of involvement of these students hopefully will reduce to a certain extent,” he said.

(NAN)