Kabir Olalekan Meshioye

Early Years

Mr. Kabir Olalekan Meshinoye born to Raji and Taibat Meshinoye on May 28, 1955 in Abeokuta spent his early years growing up in Lagos. During these formative years daddy had become the pride of his mother as he was her only child for over 1 decade before his mother would give birth to his siblings. This priviledge of being an only child for so long made him tough and allowed him to learn and value life skills such as cooking, cleaning, and even entrepreneurial skills. We can fondly remember him telling us stories of how he would help his mother sell her market goods, and not 1 kobo would go missing from the sales he’d helped her make. Daddy has always valued integrity and contentment.

Daddy attended primary school at Bishop Oluwole Memorial School in Agege. His parents had no intention on sending him to secondary school because they thought it best that he learn a trade. In fact his parents thought his physical stature was too small to start secondary school. However, his uncle would vehemently insist that he relocate to Abeokuta to begin his secondary school education. Though his parents had great apprehensions about allowing daddy to start secondary school, they eventually agreed but only if he would agree to repeat primary 6. This was done in order to stall his entrance into  secondary school to allow his physical stature time to mature.  Daddy would start off his secondary education school at Anwar Islam Boys’ High School in Agege, Lagos Nigeria, but finish at Molad High School in Jibowu, Yaba and finish in 1973.

Once he finished secondary school his uncle, late Chief M.K.O Abiola insisted that daddy come and live with him in Shofidia Close, Surulere, Lagos. While living with his uncle he set his heart on moving to Europe to pursue further education, but his uncle insisted that he stay put in Nigeria. After living with his uncle for three years daddy had decided that he’d still want to pursue further education in France. His earnest love for education and all things scholarly would later earn him the nickname “Scholly.” Before he was to relocate to Paris, France in 1977 he would meet the love of his life, Olayinka Meshinoye (nee Oyeshile) in 1976. Their meeting was one for the books. Mommy, happened to be the niece of an Aunty that he was sent to deliver a message to. Upon arriving to the address he was sent to deliver a message to he met the love of his life. Although he was already prepared to relocate to Paris, France he promised that he would come back to Nigeria to marry her. It’s been said that he knew when he first met her that this was the woman he was going to marry. Many testify that mommy’s conservativeness is what mainly attracted him to her. While in France daddy learned to speak fluent French and enrolled as a full time student at Paris VIII University in St-Denis, France and would finish with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. While occupied with his studies he would write numerous letters to his beloved Yinka promising not to disappoint her and praying that she wouldn’t disappoint him. In keeping with his promise daddy returned to Nigeria in 1979 to marry his “O-O” as he fondly called her.

Married Life/France/America

Daddy married mommy on December 22^nd 1979, and she would join him in Paris, France 1 year later. They welcomed their first born son, Olawale in 1981 and shortly after welcomed their first and only daughter, Olaide in 1982. Life was beautiful as daddy gladly worked many odd jobs while in Paris, France in order to finish school and feed his family. Upon completing his degree his desire was to relocate his happy family to the United States of America. I can remember him telling me how he and mommy first landed in New York City in the dead of Winter, and his first impression of New York was that it reminded him too much of the hustle and bustle of Lagos only in a much colder climate. He said the streets were paved with litter and he refused to make New York his abode. He would later be encouraged to settle in Houston, Texas where the weather was more favorable and the atmosphere much more welcoming. Daddy agreed and found himself loving Houston, Tx. After settling in Houston, he enrolled at Prairie View A&M University where he pursued a Master’s in Business. In 1985 he welcomed his second son Kunle. As his family expanded he realized just how much enjoyed spending time with them. He would later welcome his 3^rd son Tola in 1989 and 4^th son Junior in 1990. His family was now complete and his home never had a dull moment. Although he was a strict disciplinarian he was a very humorous one. One of our favorite things to recall about daddy is how accurately he could impersonate each one of his children.

One of daddy’s favorite past times with both his wife and children was just expressing the gift of laughter. Daddy’s laughter would resound in any place. One of his most loved hobbies was watching and analyzing basketball season with his family. I can remember how we celebrated when our Houston Rockets brought home back to back championships. Along with watching basketball,  he thoroughly enjoyed heated discussions about Nigerian politics. He could easily spend hours discussing Nigerian politics and he’d usually end up needed a glass of water and Tylenol afterwards.

Daddy lived a very simple life and held steadfastly to principles of integrity, honesty, generosity, and contentment. All who knew him could tell you how much he emphasized contentment. Daddy was not a man who was moved by material things, which is a virtue that he fervently instilled in his children. Daddy’s primary desire for his children was to raise independent, law abiding children. All of us children remember him telling us that if for any reason we’d ever put ourselves in a position where law enforcement ever had to knock his door looking for any of his children that he would point them directly to our rooms because as he’d always say “I will not harbor fugitives in my home.” As funny as it sounds now (my siblings and I laughed so many times when daddy would make such statements) we all understood his methods of tough love, and are now so grateful.

Daddy’s life was marked by generosity. He gave from his core. If he was aware of a need he would meet  that need. He was a father to all of his siblings before ever having children of his own, and this paved the way for him to make it a practice to take care of the people around him. Daddy was a very selfless man. He never cared if you had more than he did. He would still find a way to bless you with unexpected gifts. He gave as an expression of love and care.

Daddy was blessed to be a grandfather of three and one of his favorite things later in his life was spending time with his grandchildren.  He had nick names for each of them. He nicknamed his first grandson Samuel, “Baba Asaba.” He fondly called his second grandson “Baba Abeokuta” and lastly his only grand daughter Elizabeth “Iya Asaba.” I remember how daddy was the first person to buy his grandson his first “big boy” bicycle. He would tell them stories of how he used to carry his desk to school while walking miles barefooted. He mostly enjoyed their reactions, innocence, and opinions on all matters. Their vitality brought him much happiness in the last few years of his life.

One of the best gifts that the Lord blessed daddy with during his health challenges was the gift of a softened heart, which made way for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to penetrate his heart. I can remember how he would ask foundationally necessary questions about the meaning of salvation and redemption before he officially gave his life to Jesus Christ in 2016/2017. I can emphatically remember daddy telling me how his heart had been freed from the burden of unforgiveness and how he holds no offense towards anyone in his heart. For him to have gone through what seemed to be the toughest season of his life and yet be at peace is a testament to the faithfulness of our Lord. The very last words that daddy spoke in my hearing was “Amen and amen.” Daddy finished his race well. When I think of the totality of daddy’s life I am reminded of God’s amazing grace.

Daddy is preceded in death by his father Alhaji Raji Meshinoye (1991), his sister Mrs Sherifat Olaniyi (nee Meshinoye), and his mother Alhaja Taibat Meshinoye (2007)

He leaves behind his wife of 41 years Mrs Mufuliat Olayinka Meshinoye, sons Wale, Kunle, Tola, and Junior Meshinoye, his daughter Laide Ashiofu (nee Meshinoye), his 2 grandsons Samuel and Emmanuel Ashiofu, his grand daughter Elizabeth Ashiofu, his siblings Mrs Fatimo Ishadimu (nee Meshinoye), Mr. Saheed Meshinoye, Mrs Anifat Sotayo (nee Meshinoye) and a host of others including uncles, aunties, cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends

Services will be held at Beresford Funeral Services on Friday, September 11^th 2020 at 13501 Alief Clodine Rd. Houston, Tx 77082.

Visitation will be from 9am-10am and the funeral will begin at 10am.

Burial will follow immediately at Houston Memorial Gardens, 2426 Cullen Blvd, Pearland Tx 77581.