His death was confirmed by his long time friend and colleague Abdisalam Hareri who spoke to HOL from Hargeisa.

Tributes have been paid to the "pioneering" journalist who once worked as a special reporter for the late Somali president Mohamed Siad Barre before his government was overthrown by warlords in 1991.

Born in Togwajale town near Ethiopia border, Mr. Owke has joined the national radio in 1972, and worked as a TV and radio reporter, as he also served as the president's spokesman.

Mr. Awkehas later moved to the BBC Somali service. During his long run at the station, he worked as a presenter, reporter and editor before he left the BBC and joined the VOA Somali Service followed by brief Somali TV stations' stints.

Mr. Owke is survived by six children, three of them by his former journalist wife as well as a colleague Sadiyo Abdullahi.

Thousands of Somalis took to the social media, describing the towering journalist's death as 'huge loss', with many of his childhood friends mourned his death, and said he would be deeply missed.

Stay tuned on Hiiraan Online for more updates, biography and the complete career of the Somali 'hero' journalist.