The father of Super Eagles and Fulham defender, Calvin Bassey, has appealed to Nigerians and his estranged wife to help him reunite with his children after being separated from them for 18 years.

 

Kingsley Ikenna Ughelumba, who identified himself as Bassey’s father, made the emotional appeal during a TikTok live session with influencer Hellen Ati, where he pleaded for forgiveness and public support.

 

“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 recounted an encounter with Calvin during the footballer’s time at Leicester City, saying he once drove from London to Leicester, not because of his son’s football fame, but out of a desire to see his first child.

 

According to him, he had no direct access to Calvin and did not have his phone number, claiming that his children’s mother had changed all their contact details.

 

“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,” Ughelumba said. “He then spoke with me and gave me an address. I went to his house, and when he saw me, he picked up the phone and called his mother.”

 

He alleged that Calvin’s attitude changed immediately after the call, saying his son became upset, asked him to say whatever he had to say quickly, and then leave.

 

Ughelumba further claimed that he has been denied contact with his sons following a prolonged family dispute that began after he returned to Italy several years ago.

 

His public appeal has since generated mixed reactions on social media, with some users expressing sympathy for his situation, while others questioned the accuracy of his claims and called for caution until all sides of the story are heard.

 

Neither Calvin Bassey nor his mother has publicly responded to the claims as of the time of this report.