Calvin Bassey’s Father Pleads for Reunion After 18 Years

• Jan 27, 2026

Calvin Bassey’s father, Kingsley Ughelumba, has appealed for help to reunite with his children after being separated for more than 18 years. The Super Eagles defender’s father says the separation began after a dispute with their mother in 2008, which led to him losing access to his three sons: Elvis, Matthew, and Calvin. He also has a younger son, Michael, who was born in Ireland.

Ughelumba spoke during a live session with Hellen Mutimu, a Kenyan woman who recently shared her own personal family struggles. He explained that while his children were born in Italy, the disagreements with their mother led to him being cut off from them entirely. “I have not seen my children for a long time because I had a little problem with my wife,” he said. “I relocated back to Italy after my stay in London ended, but she took the children away without my knowledge.”

He revealed that in 2017, the children needed Nigerian passports, and he assisted, sending documents and paying for flight tickets. However, after Calvin signed for a football club, communication was again blocked, and he has been unable to reconnect. “Since Calvin signed for a football club, she muted everything about me. She doesn’t want me to get access to my kids again,” he said.

Ughelumba also described attempts to meet Calvin in 2020, traveling to Leicester City, where the footballer was playing at the time. Though he was welcomed and given Calvin’s address, his son refused to meet him, saying he was fine with his mother. Further efforts, including trips to the Ivory Coast during the Africa Cup of Nations and to Nigeria, were unsuccessful. “Since then, I have been dying in silence,” he said.

He emphasized that he has no issues with his children and remains in contact with his eldest son. “It’s just their mum that’s making me feel bad. I want everyone to help me see my children,” he pleaded. Ughelumba urged Nigerians to support him and called for forgiveness from his wife so he can reconnect with his sons.

Calvin Bassey, 26, came through Leicester City’s youth system, later moving to Rangers, Ajax, and then Fulham. He made his Nigeria debut in March 2022 and has earned 43 caps, playing in the last two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Earlier in his career, he used his father’s surname, Ughelumba, but later adopted his mother’s name, crediting her for his support and success.