Father Of Super Eagles And Fulham Defender
OpenLife Nigeria reports that in a heartfelt public plea that has captured the attention of many Nigerians, Kingsley Ikenna Ughelumba, who identifies himself as the biological father of Super Eagles and Fulham defender Calvin Bassey, has appealed to his former wife and his children to forgive him and allow him access to his family after nearly two decades of separation.
Speaking during a live broadcast on social media, Kingsley said:
“Please, I am begging Nigerians to help me. I am calling on everyone to come to my aid. Wherever I may have wronged my wife, I sincerely ask her to forgive me. I am human and not perfect.”
He went on to describe the emotional toll of the separation, saying:
“All I want is access to my children. They are my flesh and blood, and not being able to see them has been very painful for me. I have been suffering quietly and carrying this pain alone.”
Kingsley appealed directly to his wife and his sons, including Bassey, urging them to
“Please find it in their hearts to forgive me…so I can reunite with my children.”
The now‑viral video, shared widely across Nigerian social platforms, has drawn mixed reactions. Some viewers expressed sympathy for a father seeking reconciliation, while others criticised the timing and public nature of the plea.
BACKGROUND: FAMILY RIFT AND SEPARATION
According to accounts linked to the interview, the estrangement began many years ago amid a serious dispute between Kingsley and the children’s mother. This rift reportedly resulted in Kingsley being cut off from his four sons, with legal efforts to restore access having been unsuccessful.
The defender himself has previously spoken about his upbringing, noting that his father was not present in his life as he grew up; Calvin explained that his mother and brothers raised him and that he chose to use his mother’s surname on his football jersey as an homage to her sacrifices.
BIOGRAPHY: KINGSLEY IKENNA UGHELUMBA
EARLY LIFE AND ORIGIN
Kingsley Ikenna Ughelumba is identified as a Nigerian national originally from the Umunnamehi village in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria. While specific details of his age, early upbringing, education, and professional background are not publicly documented, available reports consistently link him to a long‑standing family dispute that has played out over many years.
FAMILY
Kingsley was married to Ebere Bassey Etim, a woman of Nigerian heritage whose family background traces to Oron in Akwa Ibom State. Together, they had four sons, of whom Calvin Chinedu Ughelumba (known professionally as Calvin Bassey) is the most publicly recognised due to his career in professional football.
Despite his role as father, Kingsley has largely remained outside the public eye, with his name emerging mainly through this personal appeal and earlier reports tied to his relationship with his sons.
FAMILY DISPUTE CONTEXT
According to Kingsley, the breakdown of his relationship with his children’s mother led to a prolonged denial of access to his sons an estrangement he claims began around 2008. Legal interventions in London reportedly failed to resolve the matter, and Kingsley ultimately returned to Italy, where he said he had worked and lived before the separation.
He noted attempts to reconnect with his children, including a visit to England in 2020 when Calvin was playing professional football, but said these efforts did not lead to lasting reconciliation.
Kingsley Ikenna’s emotional appeal highlights a deeply personal family conflict that sits far outside the public roles played by his son, Calvin Bassey, as a professional athlete. While Bassey’s success on the football field has made him a household name among Nigerian sports fans, this family story underscores the challenges of private life that can accompany public achievement.
At its core, the father’s plea speaks to a universal longing for reconciliation and familial connection a theme that resonates with many but remains deeply private. Without independent verification or a response from other family members, details of the account remain rooted in Kingsley’s own testimony.
Public reaction is likely to continue reflecting a balance between empathy for his emotional distress and scrutiny over the circumstances that led to decades of estrangement.
About Author
