Kingsley Ughelumba, father of Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey, has once again made an emotional appeal, seeking help to reconnect with his four children after more than 18 years of separation.
Speaking openly about his long-standing estrangement, Ughelumba attributed the rift to unresolved issues between himself and the children’s mother, Ebere Bassey. He said the separation has left him heartbroken and “dying in silence,” despite repeated efforts to rebuild a relationship with his sons.
Ughelumba, who hails from Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, explained that his first three sons—Elvis, Mathew, and Calvin—were born in Italy, while his youngest son, Michael, was born in Ireland. According to him, the family later lived briefly in London before marital disagreements led to their separation.
“We had normal husband-and-wife disagreements,” he said in a recent interview. “I went to work one day, and before I returned, she had left with the children.”
He claimed the children’s mother only contacted him again in 2017 when Nigerian passports were required for the boys. Ughelumba said he provided all necessary documents and paid for flight tickets, adding that when the children stayed with him at the time, he never spoke negatively about their mother.
“She cut off communication again after Calvin signed for a football club,” he said.
Calvin Bassey rose to prominence after coming through Leicester City’s youth system before joining Rangers in 2020, where he won the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup. He later moved to Ajax in a record deal for the Scottish club and currently plays for Fulham in the English Premier League. Since making his debut for Nigeria in 2022, the 26-year-old defender has earned over 40 international caps.
Read Also;
AFCON Final: Pape Gueye Explains Senegal’s Walk-Off and Morocco’s Missed Penalty
Before his professional breakthrough, Bassey was initially listed under his father’s surname, Ughelumba, but later adopted his mother’s surname, crediting her as a major pillar in his football journey. He has previously spoken about growing up mainly under his mother’s care from a very young age.
Ughelumba recounted several unsuccessful attempts to reconnect with his son, including a visit to Leicester during the COVID-19 pandemic and another effort during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
“I wasn’t looking for him because he was a footballer. I wanted to see my son,” he said. “When I finally spoke to him, everything changed after he called his mum. He told me to say whatever I wanted to say and leave.”
Despite the repeated setbacks, Ughelumba insists he harbours no ill feelings towards his children and remains hopeful for reconciliation.
“I don’t have any problem with my children,” he said. “Even if I am a bad person, I cannot be bad where my children are.”
As of now, Calvin Bassey has not publicly responded to his father’s renewed appeal.
