Biography

Vincent Ezikornwor Weli (FNIA) is a Professor of Atmospheric and Climate Science. He was born in the Elibrada-Emohua Local Government Area in Rivers State. He attended St Philips State School and graduated with a first school leaving certificate in 1986. Between 1987 and 1992, he attended the Government Comprehensive Secondary School Borikiri. Professor Weli gained admission into the University of Port Harcourt where he studied Geography and Environmental and graduated with a CGPA of 4.97 (Second Class, Upper Division) in 2001.

He was also the best-graduating student in the department and the faculty of social sciences. Professor Weli used the Walter Christler Model for his final year research in the Emohua Local Government Area. His findings, unravelled Eleven (11) Potential Service Centers that the Government can use in seeking developmental programmes.

These centers could trickle down developmental impulses to the adjoining communities commonly called hinterlands. This research paper was also published in the African Journal of Contemporary Issues. (Vol 8 No 2 Pgs. 178-187) Professor Weli also holds a Masters in Climate Services (2004) specialising in Urban Flood Prediction. His finding from his Master’s Research Paper titled Urban Flooding Prediction in a sub-Humid Tropical City: Implications for Urban Land Use Planning in Port Harcourt, Nigeria was published in the Journal Tropical Focus (Vol 9, No 2 Pgs. 211-220) In 2014, He obtained a Ph.D. in Geography specialising in Air Pollution from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. His research findings are also published in Local and International Journals. Professor Weli is a Google Scholar and web of Science researcher with over 350 citations, 423 downloads and over 22, 733 people who have read his journals worldwide.

Professor Weli’s extensive career includes:

1. Professorial Assessor, Delta State of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Delta State-2022

2. External Examiner, Under Graduate, Department of Geography and Environment, River State University (RSU) Port Harcourt-2022

3. Visiting Scholar – Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State -2020 to date

4. Adjunct Lecturer- Nigerian Meteorological Training School- 2019 to Date

5. External Examiner- Post Graduate, Department of Meteorology and Climate Science, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)- 2021

6. Visiting Research Scholar, Department of Geo-Sciences, University of Missouri, Kansa State, USA-2016 He began his working career as a Trainee Topographer (Surveyor Assistant) with P.G.H Limited in 1991.

He worked at the supervisory level at Osilosis Consult and moved to Uptonvill and Al Handasha Nigeria Ltd respectively. Between 2002 and 2003 he served his youth corps service at Idi Oso Local Government Area, Ekiti State. Professor Weli worked briefly as a projector officer and facilitator on a community-based Infrastructure Project from 2003 to 2004.

He returned to academia in 2005 and joined his Alma mata as an assistant lecturer in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management serving in varying capacities from Head of Department, Assistant Director and Acting Director, Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development from 2016 to 2021.

Professor Weli wealth of experience include working in various committees some of which are:

1) Member, Committee on the drafting of Practical Manuals for Physical Geography, Department of Geography & Environmental Management, 2014.

2) Faculty Coordinator, College of Continuing Education (CCE) Yenagoa study center. 2013-2015

3) Associate Editor, Journal of Geographic Thought and Environmental Studies, Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt.

4) Journal of Environmental Science and Toxicology, 2015

5) Member, European Centre for Research Training and Development UK, 2014

6) Member, College of Graduate Studies (CGS) 73rd PhD seminar assessment committee, 2014.

7) Editorial Board member; Journal of Social Sciences Research, 2015

8) Member, Academic Committee, College of Continuing Education (CCE), University of Port Harcourt 2014 - 2019.

9) Member, Academic Board Institute of Natural Resources, Environmental and Sustainable Development (INRES), 2015 till date 10) University of Port Harcourt Senate Representative in Delta Series Editorial Board (Science), University of Port Harcourt, 2017-2019.

11) University of Port Harcourt Council Representative in University Investment, 2017-2019

12) Member, Research Ethics Committee, University of Port Harcourt, 2017 till date.

13) Member, Academic Board, School of Graduate Studies, June, 2019 – February, 2020.

14) Member, Academic Board, World Bank Africa Center for Oil Chemical Research, June 2019- 2021.

15) Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Ecology and Natural Resources, USA. https://medwinpublishers.com/JENR/editorial-board.php. 2020 till date.

16) Member, Editorial Board, Advances in Hydrology and Meteorology (AHM), USA. 2021 till date.

17) Member, Climate Impact Research Capacity and Leadership Enhancement (CIRCLE), University of Port Harcourt Team – 2017 till Date. 18) Member, United States-West Africa Atlantic Coastal Resilience Research Consortium (CRRC) 2020 till date.

19) Member, United State of America Lagos Consular Office Air Quality Technical Working group in Nigeria, 2022 till date.

20) Member Editorial board, Journal of Geography, Geology and Environment. https://www.geojounal.net/board, India. 2022.

21) Member, Climate Change and Green Growth Thought Leaders Panel, Consultant to Climate Change and Green Growth Department of African Development Bank (AfDB), 2020.

22) Chairman, technical session of the 12th Annual conference and AGM of Nigerian Association of Hydrological Sciences (NAHS) with the theme: Climate Change: Issues and challenges for sustainable water management in Nigeria. Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. 10-14th October, 2022. Professor Weli has conducted various research in areas such as Human Bioclimatology, Climate Science and Air Pollution, Thermal Comfort Characteristics, Sensations of Air Temperature Variability and Mitigation Studies among others. He has over the years been involved in consultancy service both at the state and National Levels.

He has published over 120 peer reviewed papers in several reputable journals around the globe.

Some of which include:

1. He was the Principal investigator in the Post Endangerment Assessment of the Bomu Manifold Oil Pipe Explosion, Fire, Emission and oil spillage in K. Dere, Biara, Kpor and Deken by SHELL Nigerian Limited (2023)

2.Member, Federal Ministry of Environment’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Review Panel on the Environmental Impact of the Proposed Oil Palm Estate Development at Ovia North-East L.G.A. Edo State by United Foods Industries Limited (2019)

3. He was involved in the Third Environmental Post Impact Assessment Report of K.S. Endeavour (PANAMA) Rig Gas Well-head explosion of Chevron at Koluama, Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State. (2012) He was appointed Director, of Weather Forecasting Service in December 2023.