Calvin Bassey’s Father Begs for Reconciliation After 18 Years: “Please Forgive Me”

The estranged father of Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey has made an emotional appeal for forgiveness and reconciliation, nearly 18 years after losing contact with his children following the collapse of his marriage. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

Speaking in a widely circulated interview on social media, Mr. Ughelumba, who hails from Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, said he has endured years of silence and heartbreak while hoping for a chance to reunite with his son.

According to him, his first three sons — Elvis, Mathew and Calvin Ughelumba — were born in Italy, while his youngest son, Michael, was born in Ireland. The family later relocated to London, where marital challenges eventually led to separation.

Ughelumba explained that the separation occurred after unresolved marital disagreements, adding that the situation escalated suddenly while he was away at work.

“We had normal husband-and-wife issues. I went to work, and before I returned, she had left with the children,” he said.

He disclosed that communication remained completely severed for years until 2017, when his estranged wife allegedly reached out because the children required Nigerian passports.

“That was the first time she contacted me after many years. I sent all my documents and even paid for their flight tickets. When they stayed with me, I never spoke badly about their mother,” he stated.

He claimed that contact was cut off again after Calvin secured a professional football contract.

Ughelumba revealed that he has made several attempts since 2020 to reconnect with his children, particularly Calvin, but all efforts ended unsuccessfully.

He recalled travelling from London to Leicester during the COVID-19 lockdown in a bid to see his son when he was still with Leicester City.

“I wasn’t going there because he was a footballer. I just wanted to see my son,” he said.

According to him, officials of Leicester City assisted in reaching Calvin, who initially responded warmly.

“They called him by the childhood name I used to call him — ‘Biggy’ — and he responded immediately.”

However, the meeting reportedly ended abruptly after Calvin contacted his mother.

“He told me to say whatever I wanted to say and leave. He said he didn’t want to see me again,” Ughelumba recounted.

He further disclosed that he travelled from Italy to Côte d’Ivoire during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in another attempt to reconnect, and later moved to Abuja to pursue the matter, but was unsuccessful.

Calvin Bassey began his professional career at Leicester City before moving to Rangers FC in 2020, where he made over 60 appearances and won the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup.

In 2022, he completed a record €23 million transfer to Ajax, before returning to the English Premier League in 2023 with a €22 million move to Fulham.

The 26-year-old defender made his Super Eagles debut in 2022 and has since become a regular member of the national team, featuring at two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Earlier in his career, Bassey was listed under his father’s surname, Ughelumba, but later adopted Bassey, his mother’s name.

The footballer has publicly credited his mother for raising him and his siblings, stating that she played a central role in his journey.

“Since I was six, it has been just my mum and us boys,” Bassey once said.
“Putting her name on my shirt was my way of saying thank you.”

Speaking emotionally, Ughelumba said he harbours no resentment toward his children and pleaded for forgiveness.

“I have no problem with my children. Even if I am a devil, I cannot be a devil where my children are,” he said.

“I have been dying in silence, but I am still praying for peace.”

As of the time of filing this report, Calvin Bassey has not publicly reacted to his father’s renewed appeal.