Gladys Nweke
Baby dedication is a tradition practised in many churches that include an infant or child, parents and/or grandparents, a minister and the church’s congregation.
Much variety is found in this practice yet baby dedications commonly seek to challenge parents to commit themselves to raise their child in a godly manner, ask for God’s blessing upon the child and ask the church congregation to commit to helping the family by providing a spiritual community to assist in the development of the child.
The idea of dedicating a child to God can certainly be found in the Bible. For example, Hannah was a woman unable to bear a child. She prayed for a child and promised to dedicate him to the Lord if He would give her a son (1 Samuel 1:11). Joseph and Mary took baby Jesus to the temple for a dedication (Luke 2:2)
Common Bible verses heard at baby dedications usually include Psalm 127:3: Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Journalists gathered as Emeka Otukar dedicated his child on Sunday at Redeemed Christian Church of God, Garment of Salvation Parish, Rumuoagholu, PortHarcourt.
Speaking at the event, Dr Anslem Iyama, the doctor whom God used to deliver the baby at the hospital, said that he knows the parents of the child that was dedicated to God were raised in Christian homes.
Emeka being a journalist and Stella are the epitome of integrity and God fearing. He prayed them to impact same to their daughter. Dr Iyama also encouraged them to imbibe the spirit of Godliness and love for their neighbours.
In the same vein, families, church members, colleagues, friends and well-wishers also commended Otukar’s family for the wonderful dedication done for their child, Olivia Chisom, to the altar of God and urged them to train the baby in the way of God and also asked God to protect the child and provide for the family.
