In the early days of the University College, Ibadan, Nigeria, higher education was a near exclusive right of children from wealthy homes. The products of this middle upbringing who were scions of business tycoons and colonial aristocracy, brought into the university college all their notions of class privilege and indifference to the social realities of the nation. 

The handful of the students from poorer backgrounds either stuck doggedly to their books, looking forward to the day when the prize of an academic degree would  ompensate their present indignity or strove assiduously to be admitted to the sophisticated circle of their flashier peers. But some played ignorance of their parents who made prodigious sacrifices to enable their children join the aristocratic sets, in appearance and acquisition at least. So thoroughly were they absorbed in their habits that in effect they outdid the "natural" elite of the university campus. 

Not surprisingly, students' clubs were a reflection of these ambitions; so also was the orientation of the Students' Representative Council, which often made demands on the rest of the Nigerian community as if it was a body of exotic strangers from outer space.

The 1950s also marked a heightening of the nationalist movement and the sad recourse to tribal alignments in the country. Being one of the two universities at the time, the University College, Ibadan, itself became a breeding ground for the worst kind of tribal thinking where all forms of students' activities, including sports became mere expressions of tribal pettiness.

It was against this background, and to combat these negative tendencies that seven students formed the PYRATES CONFRATERNITY (PC) in 1952 with their original scroll written and signed by the founding fathers: Wole Soyinka, Ralph Okpara, Pious Oleghe, Ikpehare Imoukhuede, Nathaniel Oyeola, Olumuyiwa Awe and Sylvanus U. Eghuche. Known as the original seven, their names remain a most valued item in the

pyrates treasure chest.

The exact death toll of confraternity- related murders is unclear. One estimate in 2002 was that 250 people had been killed in campus cult -related murders in the previous decade. However, these figures are of insignificance when compared with recent confraternity activities in Benin City, Edo state capital in 2008 and 2009 with over 40 cult related deaths recorded monthly. If one is to multiply this figure by 12, the result would be 480 and if this figure is multiplied by a decade the result would again be 4,800. Which means

approximately 4,800 people are lost to confraternity related violence in a decade. It is unfortunate that the goal for which most of these confraternities were formed is being deviated from. The Pyrates Confraternity, the first to sail the water of Nigeria universities is a role model for the rest including the Buccaneers. Although, the Buccaneers, to a large extent have tried in their own right. But more effort is needed. Thank

goodness that the cry to stop deck activities had been heeded by most decks. Before long, others will follow suit. For the rest confraternities, they need to trace their origin and see what they stand for. Many a dispute can be resolved without bloodshed and violence. They need not live up to the name TERRORIST as a certain paper termed them.

The Eiye Confraternity for instance, which originated from the University of Ibadan in 1963 started as a secret society known as the Eiye Group but later metamorphosized into Supreme Eiye Confraternity (SEC). The confraternity was established to make positive impact on the social-political mind, social cultural, physical and mental development of its members and was indifferent from other conventional confraternities. But it is sad to note that they and the Axemen are like cats and rats, always at each others' throats in Benin

City. And the Black Axe Confraternity or movement which was established in 1976, by seven young men, was formed for the motive of building a body to fight against the oppression against the Black race. Rumour has it that it was established in South Africa to fight against the Apartheid war when the whites were trying to dominate blacks in their own continent. Blacks had no choice but to fight since the oppression was too

much. That can be understood. But in Nigeria, there's no basis for fighting since there are no whites trying to oppress us. If they can focus their energy in trying to fight the ills of society and the ills of government, they would be doing a great job.

As for the government, they should forget about the idea of trying to wipe out confraternities in Nigeria universities. They should concentrate their energies on trying to reduce the violence in Nigeria universities. According to Mario Puzo (God rest his soul) crime started since when God was a boy. Crime and violence cannot exactly be totally wiped out but it can be reduced. One way is by getting these confraternities to register themselves in whatever institution they choose to operate in. Their activities should be drafted out; names of members should also be documented. If any crime or violence should be associated with any of them, then the appropriate punishment should be meted out for that individual or if possible to the members of that confraternity which the individual is affiliated to. Take for instance, the Junior Chambers International, Rotaract and Rotary club; these are social organization established to impart leadership skill in their members. They have their code of conduct which members are to adhere to religiously. And if they fail in carrying out their obligation or living up to their name in the society, a punishment is meted out to the erring member. With such a code of conduct guiding the members, it is difficult for a member to deviate from that code and do something so stupid as to warrant disciplinary action against him by the school authority or the government of the country. Social organizations like the JCI, Rotary and Rotaract club are more or less like a confraternity and they have been known to produce great leaders. Barrack Obama for instance is said to be from the Juniors Chambers International (JCI) and it is said that at least three presidents of the United States of America are member of the Skull and Bones Confraternity or society; a confraternity found in the Ivy League Universities of America. The thing is if such can happen in America it can also happen here in Nigeria. Who says the future president of our country cannot come from the Pyrates Confraternity or the Neo-Black movement of African or the Maphite's or Vikings Confraternity? All we need to do is stand aside, look into ourselves, and find those resources we are blessed with by God and channel it to the betterment of our country. When this can be done, there is no telling the height of greatness we will achieve.

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