The father of Super Eagles and Fulham defender Calvin Bassey has appealed to Nigerians and his estranged wife for help in reuniting with his children after 18 years apart.
In a TikTok live session with influencer Hellen Ati, Kingsley Ikenna Ughelumba, who identified himself as Bassey’s father, begged for forgiveness and support. He said: “Please Nigerians should help me. Wherever I must have wronged my wife, she should please forgive me so I can have access to my children.”
Ughelumba said he once drove from London to Leicester City while Calvin was playing for the club, not because of his football fame but to see his first son. He added that he had no access to him and did not have his phone number because their mother had changed everything about them.
“When I got to Leicester, the club welcomed me. I told them to call him ‘Bigi’, so he’ll know who was asking of him,” he said. “Then he spoke with me and gave me an address. I went to his house, and when he saw me, he picked up the phone. He called his mother, and then changed drastically. He got upset, told me to say what I had to say, and then leave.”
His appeal has sparked mixed reactions online, with some expressing sympathy while others questioned his claims. Ughelumba said he has been denied contact with his sons following a long family dispute after he returned to Italy years ago.