ABUJA—PRESIDENT of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof O. Ibidapo-Obe  has  called for the use of science to drive the development of the nation.

He said biological science had unravelled the molecule of life – DNA, and that the success with the mapping of genome in genetic research would pave way for gene therapies in the nearest future.

Ibidapo-Obe, who spoke at the eminent scientists lectures at the on-going Junior Science Olympiad, described science as a counterpoise to the earlier pre-occupation with super-physical phenomena, adding that it had concentrated its experimental efforts on physical mechanism.

While acknowledging that science was a catalyst to nation building, Prof Ibidapo-Obe noted that science and consequently technology would make living exciting but not for reasons it was expected.

He, however, stressed that religion and culture could create an impediment to the development of scientific efforts in the society.

Former vice chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt and chairman, Board of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Prof. Mini Briggs, spoke on “Advances in medicine, implication for the training of young scientists” at the event.

The eminent scientists lectures are part of series of programmes drawn for the seventh edition of International Junior Science Olympiad, IJSO.