Hodan Nalayeh Prize: Somalia pays tribute to journalist murdered by al-Shabab

The Somali government has announced the awarding of a prize in the honor of journalist Hodan Nalayeh, killed during an attack by Islamist militants.

The annual Hodan Nalayeh Prize will be awarded to "outstanding" personalities of the Somali diaspora.

Nalayeh, who grew up in Canada, returned to Somalia last year to highlight positive stories about her country of birth.

She was one of 26 people killed by Al-Shabab militants in Kismayo on Friday.

Nalayeh, nine months pregnant, and her husband were killed when gunmen stormed a hotel where regional politicians and clan elders were discussing the upcoming regional elections.

Nalayeh has been attributed another facet of Somalia as civil war, militancy and famine.

His desire to focus on the positive and ultimately inspire Somali youth around the world to help rebuild the country made him famous – and his death during Friday's attack provoked a wave of sorrow.

In honor of his "inspiring life," the Somali Foreign Ministry "will recognize an outstanding personality who has made a positive contribution from the Somali diaspora," he said on Twitter.