Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and two university teachers at the weekend decried the increasing spate of cultism in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, urging students, especially the awaiting ones, to shun all forms of cultism.

The ex-military leader gave the advice at a valedictory service of Good Shepherd Schools in Lagos where he called all the stakeholders in the education sector to join hands together to put an end to the reign of cultism in the tertiary institutions. Gowon, who addressed the awaiting students at the valedictory service, lamented the rate at which cultism and secret groups were increasing in the country's tertiary institutions, which he said, was indeed disappointing.

He explained that it was sad cultism had risen in the nation's tertiary institutions, thereby urging the awaiting students not to join the band wagons and to desist from all forms of cultism because it has dire consequence for their future.

The former head of state, who was represented by the in-coming Chief Executive Officer of the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), Pastor Richard Ajiboye, said youths were the leaders of tomorrow and as such, they should lay good example for themselves when they get to the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.