OCCHIOLISM: WHEN THE EYES SEE, BUT THE HEART DOES NOT FEEL

Occhiolism: is that painful awareness of how small you are in the world. It is the sudden sadness of realizing your life is just one tiny story in a very big universe.

For many Nigerian youths today, this feeling is real. They scroll Instagram and see peers in Dubai, driving Benz, throwing money. They compare, and their heart sinks. That emptiness pushes some into dangerous social vices just to "feel big."

Some boys in Benin and Port Harcourt join cult groups because they want respect and identity they can’t find at home. Others in Lagos and Abuja get into Yahoo-Yahoo or drug abuse, chasing quick pleasure to cover the quiet pain of being unseen. Girls fall into exploitation, hoping money will give them value. The NDLEA reports show rising drug cases on campuses because youths are trying to numb this void.

But occhiolism is not a curse. It can be a compass. It should remind us: you are small, yes, but you are not nothing. Your life matters here.

The cure is purpose. Mentorship, skills, faith, and community. When a young person finds work, talent, or service — like in sports, tech, or volunteering — the emptiness fades. Programs like 3MTT, EdoJobs, and hockey grassroots in Edo show what happens when youths are given direction instead of despair.

"A man without strict rules for himself becomes the slave of anyone who offers him pleasure."

Set your boundary high. Don’t let appetite rule you. In a big world, be a big person with small ego and great character.