I have listened to several radio commentaries but never felt the urge to responds to any. Maybe because to me a commentary should be “A food for thought” meant for enlightenment. It conveys one's opinion on an issue or event, and is not a subject of debate. Nevertheless, when one listens to a commentary that sounds controversial, there is need to make a contribution in order to enlighten the larger society, especially when it falls within one's area of specialization or calling. It is on this note that I have decided to write on an issue raised on AKBC Radio commentary on Tuesday 19th August, 2008 and credited to Hon. Jack Udotta of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
In the commentary, the Honourable member condemned the practice by which people change their names stressing that “A Rose will still be a Rose, with the same scent and colour irrespective of what name is given to it”. He advised people to change their hypocritical tendencies and attitude towards God instead of their names.
I quite agree with the Honourable member that people should change their hypocritical tendencies and attitude towards God. I also agree that rose will still exhibit the same scent and colour even if it is called hibiscus. But, imagine calling it “elephant grass” in the first place despite the lovely scent it carries. That is the crux of the matter. How can a responsible and sensible parent look at their God-given child, with all the heavenly beauty and innocence and call him “Ekpo” i.e. Ghost or Masquerade by interpretation.
I don't think there is any reason or tradition so blind and wicked that will warrant naming one's child “Mkpa” (death), “Udongo” (sickness), “Usua” (hatred), “Ukut” (sorrow), “Utok” (quarrel) etc even when that innocent child is yet to utter a word talkless of quarreling with anyone. Sadly, those are some of the names one still hears in offices, communities and business environment in this 21st century. I am convinced no reasonable child will grow up with a beautiful and meaningful name like; Itoro (Praise), Idongesit (Comfort), Eno (Gift), Inyene (wealth), Idara (Joy) etc and decide to change it.
I must say here without any apology that some of the names given by our fathers were not only meaningless but also evil. For instance, what is the meaning of Effiong? Why not Ifiok (Wisdom)? Effiong, Edet, Atim, Okon, Affiong, Asuquo etc does not have any meaning. They were given simply because the person was born during a full moon or at night and so on. Also names like Ntuen (Pepper), Ikot (Bush), Utit (Last), Utere (Vulture) etc need a rethink. When you call your child Utit, would you be angry when he/she carries last position in their class examination? Why should you? These explain why many wise people change their names.
A closer look at the scriptures in the Holy Bible reveals that changing of names did not start with “today's Pentecostal churches” as the Honourable member put it but from God Himself who changed Abram's name to Abraham (Gen.17:5), Sarai's name to Sarah (Gen.17:15), Jacob's name to Israel (Gen.32:28). In the New Testament, Christ added Peter to Simon's name and also did similar thing to James the sons of Zebedee and John (James brother) Mark 3:16-17. in Like 1:63, the relatives of Zechariah wanted his son to be named after him, but the man who could not talk at that moment asked for writing material and wrote “His name is John” to the amazement of all as nobody answered such name in their family before then.
Every child of God should thank God for the wonderful and meaningful names we hear among believers today. Let us bear and also give our children names that will facilitate God's blessing. We should not give our children any name simply because it is a family name. Names should be properly screened to determine its source and meaning before it is given to our God-given children. We should recognize the fact that every child is a gift from God. Our parents may have done what they did in ignorance. What would we say of our generation who continue with such practice?
I therefore advise all those with beautiful meaningful native names to bear them with dignity. But, for those who cannot attach any good meaning to their names, I advise them to change it, because it is scriptural and has a lot to do with their destiny.

Pastor Wisdom Ekong is a Senior Pastor of Dominion Chapel Int'l Church Uyo