I wish I am an influential person in my village if not in the world. Previously, when I was in elementary and high school, I desperately wished to be influential among my class mates. Those days, the most influential pupil was the class prefect.

If you are like me, probably you wish and pray tirelessly to become an influential person in the circle of your friends, your place of work, church etc.

Actually, you could be consciously or unconsciously devising techniques and methods that you think will make you influential. Some of the techniques that you are crafting include; adding certificates to your already starring CV, putting on expensive clothes, looking for promotion etc. Some are saving every coin to become rich and inturn  become influential. Everyone is designing his own way to become influential. The main issue, even if we deny it is that, we would like to be influential in one way or another.

What makes a person influential in the World?
In April this year, Time Magazine compiled a list of 100 most influential people in the World. One name that caught my attention is Didier Drogba. He is arguably the best football striker in Africa. Drogba who is popularly referred to as Drog sent my thinking into a spin. I wondered, what really made him an hero and for that matter appear in the same list with big names like Bill Clinton, President Barrack Obama and Oprah Winfey.

I was not envious of Drog, but I wished to pin down his traits so that I can copy them and as well become influential.

I humbly narrowed down few points that makes Drogba a Star.

1. He is Himself/Unique
When you mention Drogba he sends nerves of many people bulging. He has something that almost everybody admires. Probably it is his tall, dark and well build body posture. However, when you look closer, you will notice he has something admirable, doing things uniquely. This uniqueness makes him a darling of many especially kids.

His hair style, the way he celebrates goals, the way he pushes and shoves defenders etc. Drog remains himself, he is not a copy cat.

2. Stand up to be counted

It is said that he has done a lot to ensure there is peace in his war ravaged home country. In 2006 World cup, he single handedly steered his teammates to write a statement to his home country to allow peace to prevail. At that time, Ivory coast was in crisis.

If he is not fighting for peace, he is offering money to ensure there is healthy. When 22 Ivorians were killed scrambling to see their heroes play, Drogba donated all proceeds from his endorsement to build a hospital in his country.

This shows selfishness has no room in become influential. Actually such devotion of Dgroba and many others has inspired me to do a few small things. e.g. creating a website (www.joshuaarimi.com) to offer candidates in Kenya access to all past KCSE exam papers and their marking schemes absolutely for free. If they pass their exams, they will be successful and build a better Kenya. If you want to visit the website click www.joshuaarimi.com

3.Strength
One feature that makes Drogba a very successful striker is his strength. To be influential in the world you need strength. Not necessarily physical, but mental, spiritual and emotional. Example of heroes that have revolutionalised the world by their strength include Martin Luther King, Gadhi, Mandela among many others.

To be influential in the world, strength is necessary even in the face of death.

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I am celebrating one year as a father. It gives me pride and joy to share a few things that I have learnt as a father for that one year.

I am pretty aware that it is rare to see an African man, I mean real African man, airing things to do with babies openly. I am an ‘African warrior’, not of swords, rungus (clubs) and arrows but of the ‘TRUE VALUES’ that makes a man.

When I was single I always dreamt of being a father. However, I was really afraid. I mean very fearful of being unable to provide for my family. This could be a disaster for me. I felt no obligation to marry if I knew I could not provide for my family. This prompted me to work hard and study hard which got me where I am now. Check something small about me by clicking here.

Back to the serious matter and realities of being a father. Different men have different experiences once they cross the bridge to parenthood. Some dread the experiences, others cherish every passing second.

I cherish every passing second. So join me in the ship of experiences.

16 Things that I have learnt as a father.

1. Joy. I have known having a baby can create exactly what I see in movies and TVs; babies create joy, happiness, togetherness and instill sense of pride.
2. Member. As a father, I gained respect in the community. Other parents view me as a ‘member’, so I get chances to attend birthdays and christening events of other babies in my neighborhood (I am not living in Kenya at the moment).
3. First class treatment. I get special treatment in all means of transport that I use. When flying with my son, I am given the privilege to board the plane first, I get a special, spacious seat and air hostesses go out of their way to help us with the baby during embarking and boarding. In buses, I am given a special seat (please do not ask me whether I get special treatment in a matatu). It is great to be a father.
4. Responsibility. I am more responsible. Never leave the baby with someone you do not trust. One day, I saw a friend trying to give my son beer when he was 10 months old.I had  to yell and shout at her. Shame on her!
5. Sleepless nights. Babies can wake you up at ungodly hours of the night. Instead of firing fire works, the turn of 2010 came while I was in hospital. This is not something to regret about. It was a unique way of ushering in 2010.
6. Cut a corner. I used to hear Meru women sing that ‘a baby can make you negotiate a corner’, I understand the deeper meaning of that statement now. A baby can make you do some wonderful, silly but funny things. I know all toy shops in my town as well as their opening and closing times. By the way, as a father I know it is not wise to buy toys during Christmas. They are damned expensive. Plan well, buy them after the festive season (they are cheaper by far) and store them. Also avoid buying computer games and videos when they debut into the market. Wait for the price to subside.
7. Parents first. If I go to a party where we need to queue for food or something else, I hold my son. That way, I am ushered to be served first. Isn’t it wonderful to be a father?
8. Un-invited guests. As a father make sure there are enough drinks and bites in the house to avoid embarrassment. Respectable guests can pop in to greet the baby uninvited, especially if they come from my community.

Simple accessories you should have as a father.
1. Good digital camera
Moments come and go, never to be reappear. Capture those memories.

I use  Panasonic FS-62 (10 Mega pixels). I must say it gives me above average images. I like it and in future, I will stick with Panasonic for still images. Prior to buying Panasonic, I was using a 5 Megapixels Fuji digital camera. It was good at that time but not anymore.

A baby does a new and fascinating things every day. Captured moments will always create joy and fun whenever reviewed.

Ensure the batteries are always charged and the memory card has space. The camera should always be easily accessible wherever you are. The best place to put the camera is in the bag that carries the baby accessories. That way, you are sure it is always within reach.

I wish you can capture the first cry of your baby immediately after birth. It will remain memorable.

2. Diary
There are several appointments for the baby which must be honoured. A good diary will keep you on top of things. You will know whenever a vaccination or development check-up clinic is coming up.

Make sure to get an off day from duty or work to attend your baby’s developmental check-up. Never leave these check-ups to the maid or just the mother. Be there.

This is part 1 of 16 lessons I have learnt for being a father for 1 year. Look forward to part 2.

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