The African Development Bank on Wednesday bid farewell to the outgoing Dean of its Board of Directors, Abdelmajid Mellouki, at a cocktail held in his honour.

The lively and cheerful celebration, which was hosted by the Bank President, was filled with warm feelings of friendship and appreciation shared by other board members.

President Akinwumi Adesina recalled Mellouki's support in helping advance the Bank's development agenda in Africa, particularly putting people at the centre of transformative projects.

"Your colleagues are all here - every single one of them. I think it is a mark of honour for you, both as Executive director and as the Dean. The level of appreciation and friendship that you have, and the relationship that you have built here are going to be enduring," the President observed.

In his response, Mellouki said how many people at the Bank had made lasting impact on him.

"The Bank has no right to fail. With the kind of leadership provided by the President, the quality of staff and its ability to mobilize resources, the Bank is top of its game."

Speaking earlier, the Bank's Secretary General Vincent Nmehielle said: "We are sad that you are leaving, but we also want to celebrate you. It has been 12 years, it is so difficult to say goodbye."

Executive Directors representing Italy (Federica Diamanti), the USA (Steven Dowd), Libya (Tariq Al Tushani), and Nigeria (Bright Okogu), also paid tribute to Mellouki. They shared further insights into the loving and kind- hearted man the ED is: "He is an ordinary man that we are happy to know."

Mellouki served as an Executive Director of the board for Morocco, Tunisia and Togo.