MOGADISHU, Somalia -                Somalia';s government announced on Monday, that it will award a prize in honour of a female journalist Hodan Nalayeh who was killed in an attack by Islamist militants.

The annual Hodan Nalayeh prize will be awarded to “outstanding” individuals from the Somali diaspora.

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

Hodan Nalayeh had posted on her Instagram on May 1 this year, in what she described as "her first Ramadan back home." "What a blessing to be back home in Somalia after 30 years away," she wrote.

But, eight weeks later, the nine months vibrant reporter lost her life, along her husband.

She was among 26 people who died after several gunmen stormed the Asasey Hotel after a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle loaded with explosives outside the hotel. The attackers battled with Jubaland';s security forces for 12 hours, authorities said.

Nalayeh has been credited with showing a different side to Somalia to the stories of civil war, militancy and famine.

Her desire to focus on the positive and ultimately inspire young Somalis around the world to help rebuild the country made her famous - and her death in Friday';s attack has prompted an outpouring of grief.

She was also the founder of Integration TV, an online platform with millions of views on YouTube which describes itself as “building a community of inspiring and uplifting stories for Somalis worldwide.”

Nalayeh  left behind her two sons from her previous marriage.

In honour of her “inspirational life” Somalia’s foreign ministry will “recognise an outstanding individual who made a positive contribution from the Somali diaspora”, it said on Twitter.