DHAKA: Many world leaders paid tribute to Malala Yousufzai on Friday after it was announced that she had been awarded Nobel Peace Prize, but Canadian prime minister offered the ‘ultimate praise’ by declaring that she would be granted citizenship of his country.

Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper said that Malala would visit Ottawa on October 22 and that she would be granted an honorary citizenship of Canada.

She is only the sixth person to receive honorary Canadian citizenship, reports dawn.com.

For his part, US president Barack Obama hailed the ‘passion and determination’ of Malala.

‘At just 17 years old, Malala Yousufzai has inspired people around the world’ with her efforts to ensure all girls can get an education, Obama said in a statement.

‘When the Taliban tried to silence her, Malala answered their brutality with strength and resolve,’ he said, adding that he and his wife Michelle were ‘awe-struck by her courage’ after a meeting in the Oval Office last year.

President Obama said the honour bestowed upon Malala ‘reminds us of the urgency of their work to protect the rights and freedoms of all our young people’.

BDST: 1658 HRS, OCT 11, 2014