Mga magulang ni Divine Adili, may mabigat na hinaing sa sinapit ng kanilang anak

• Divine Adili’s parents are demanding truth and accountability following his death during a team-building activity
• His mother questioned the safety protocols implemented during the event, including swimming assessments and rescue preparedness
• The family said their primary goal is to understand exactly what happened before seeking further action
• The tragedy has sparked calls for accountability from both families and members of the Ateneo community

The parents of Ateneo student-athlete Divine Adili are calling for answers and accountability following his death during a team-building activity in Aurora, saying they continue to struggle with unanswered questions about what happened.

In an interview on 24 Oras Weekend, Divine’s mother, Ifeoma Adili, recalled the moment she learned of her son’s passing on June 8.

“That moment was the worst moment of my life,” she said.

“I've never experienced what I experienced that day.”

Despite their grief, Divine’s parents said they remain proud of their son and his achievements.

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“I would like him to know that I love him so much,” Ifeoma said.

“He will forever remain in my memory. I'll still be proud of him.”

His father, Elias Adili, shared the same sentiment, saying:

“We are proud of him. He is forever in our minds.”

While mourning, the couple stressed they are still seeking a full explanation of the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

“The justice that I want is the truth,” Ifeoma said.

"Explanation on how everything happened. There's no clarity at all.”

She also raised concerns about safety measures during the activity, saying her son did not know how to swim and questioning whether proper checks were done on participants’ abilities. She added that life jackets and trained rescue personnel should have been present.

Elias described the incident as negligence that deeply affected their family.

“The damage has been done, and it brought my family into a very big problem,” he said.

At present, the family’s priority is bringing Divine’s remains home.

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“Let his body come first in good condition,” Ifeoma said.

“That is our main priority.”

In a Facebook post, Elias also paid tribute to his son, describing him as an athlete who represented Nigeria internationally and played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

“I want justice for my Son Chukwuemeka Divine Adili who along with others stood in for Nigeria in the all Nation Tournament in the Philippines in 2024... he gave his all to Ateneo,” he wrote.

Divine passed away together with fellow student-athlete Rene Baterbonia in a drowning incident during the activity. The tragedy has led to growing calls for accountability as both families continue to seek answers.

In another report, Vice President Sara Duterte conveyed her condolences to the families of the late basketball players Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili. She recognized the deep grief and suffering the bereaved families are currently going through. She urged them to first prioritize the wake and burial arrangements of their loved ones. She also advised that legal assistance and the pursuit of justice may be addressed after the period of mourning.

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Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte voiced disappointment regarding what she described as the insufficient response of Ateneo following the deaths of the two student-athletes. She said that educational institutions should immediately reach out to and provide support for families during times of tragedy. She emphasized that the incident involved student-athletes and should not be treated as a routine or ordinary case. She added that both the school and the families should work together to fully understand the circumstances surrounding what happened.

Source: KAMI.com.gh