Calvin Bassey reveals how his father abandoned the family
Channel: VNB Channel TV
Date: 05/02/2024

Did you know that Calvin Chinedu Ughelumba Bassy, the Super Eagles Defender, hails from Ihiala Town in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State?

His mother, Ebere, is originally from Mbaise and got married to Mr. Ughelumba, who is from Ihiala. The couple initially resided in Italy before moving to London.

Prior to her marriage, Ebere received training from her sister in Calabar. However, after the wedding, she had a falling out with Mr. Ughelumba in London and reported him to the police, alleging domestic abuse. Since Mr. Ughelumba possessed an Italian visa, he was sent back to Italy.

Following Mr. Ughelumba's departure, Mrs. Ebere assumed responsibility for their four children. She manipulated them into believing that their father was a bad person.

When Calvin sought to sign a professional contract with Leicester City, they removed the name Chinedu Ughelumba and added Bassy (which is the family name of Ebere's sister).

Currently, Mr. Ughelumba is in Ivory Coast, attempting to reconnect with his son. Whether or not he will be granted access remains uncertain, as Calvin Chinedu Ughelumba Bassy is reluctant to see his father due to the influence of his controlling mother.
Calvin Chinedu Ughelumba  (Calvin Bassey) reveals how his father abandoned the family when he was six years old

Fulham defender Calvin Bassey has explained why he no longer uses his fathers surname and chooses to represent his mother on the pitch instead.

Super Eagles defender Cavlin Bassey has revealed the regret of growing up without his father, after telling The Athletic the tale of how his family’s patriarch abandoned them early on.

Bassey was born in Italy to Igbo Nigerian parents and remained there, living with both his parents until he was six years old when the Fulham star reveals his father left the family, causing the burden of raising him and his brother to fall on his mother.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, Bassey was asked about his estranged father, and told The Athletic, “He’s just not in my life — we lived with him but that was when I was really young. Since I was six, it has been Mum and us boys.”

Bassey further revealed that he was grateful to his mother for her sacrifices in getting the rest of the family to England and working hard to give them a platform that has helped them flourish.

Although the former Ajax and Rangers defender has the name Bassey written on his jerseys, he also revealed that this has not always been the case since his father’s name, “Ughelumba” was the more commonly used surname.

Bassey revealed the reason why he decided to change his surname officially saying, “I knew that if I got the chance to put my name on the back of a shirt I wanted it to be my mum’s name — my way of saying thank you.”

The Premier League star also revealed that he bought his mother a house when he signed his first professional deal with Leicester City, and recalls her reaction to the gesture, saying, “She [his mother] was praying and jumping up and down. It was disbelief, but I was happy to put a smile on her face as she sacrificed a lot for us boys.”

Since making the ranks at Leicester City, Bassey has gone on to play for Rangers, Ajax, and Fulham, while also becoming a regular with the Super Eagles of Nigeria, no doubt bringing more joy and pride to his mother Ebere Bassey.