Ashiyanbi Michael Idowu: RIMCF ‘Project 3000Launch’ Fed 3000 In Ibadan, Lagos, Abeokuta Next
•How Friend Shattered Me Emotionally, Financially
•How I Pushed Through Rejection, Betrayal, Deep Confusion
Barrister Ashiyanbi Michael Idowu, popularly referred to as Barrister Hidy, serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Harvesters Homes and Properties Ltd. He is also the founder of the Renewed Impactful Minds Catalyst Foundation, (RIMCF). He possesses a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree and has obtained certifications in Media Presentation from the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and Bond FM.
In his quest of knowledge, he has successfully acquired numerous Information Technology certifications in the United States, which have enhanced his expertise in the digital realm.
His professional journey has been further enriched through participation in leadership studies and executive development programs, including Leading Change in Nonprofit Organizations, Leadership and Emotional Intelligence, Strategic Leadership and Management Specialization, and Social Sector Leadership.
Enjoy the insightful interview with CREEKVIBES OLUWADAMILARE DANIELS. Excerpts;
At what moment did the idea of establishing this NGO enter your thoughts and why?
The idea of establishing the Renewed Impactful Minds Catalyst Foundation (RIMCF) was not a sudden one, it was birthed from a place of deep personal conviction, molded by my early experiences growing up in poverty. My family and I endured severe hardship days when food was a luxury and paying school fees was nearly impossible. Those moments shaped me. From a young age, I made a vow that if God ever lifted me, I would use my life to lift others. I knew I was simply waiting for the right platform and opportunity.
So, long before RIMCF became a registered foundation, I had been actively involved in charitable acts. I gave friends free plots of land to build their homes when they had nowhere to turn. I paid school fees for countless children, supported widows, and quietly responded to people’s needs without fanfare.
These early sacrifices were driven by love, not publicity. Establishing RIMCF was my way of giving structure to what I had always done, so we could do more, reach more, and sustain the mission. To ensure our outreach remains long-term, I also donated acres of my personal land to the foundation specifically for farming.
The goal is to feed as many people as possible and support our outreach projects with home-grown resources. It’s our way of not only meeting immediate needs but building food security for the future.
This year’s Project 3,000 Vol. 2 is a 7-day humanitarian outreach designed to touch lives at every level, body, mind, and spirit. On Day 1, we gifted 1,000 students across six public primary schools with notebooks, restoring hope to many families who feared their children would go without. As the days unfold, we are focused on feeding 3,000 individuals, distributing uniforms and back to-school kits to 150 underserved children, and bringing community leaders and volunteers together in a shared mission of love and dignity. Project 3,000 is not just an event. It’s the continuation of a vow. It’s Volume 2 of a mission that began in the heart of a young boy who once knew hunger, and decided no one else should go through that without help.
Considering the millions of individuals enduring extreme poverty throughout Nigeria, what prompted you to select Lagos for the Project 3000Launch?
The decision to launch Project 3,000 Vol. 2 in Lagos was both strategic and deeply personal. It should be noted that Vol. 1 of Project 3,000 was successfully carried out in Ibadan, Oyo State, last year, reaching hundreds of families with food and essentials.
As someone originally from Oyo State but born and brought up in Lagos, I have witnessed both the opportunities and the overwhelming needs that coexist in this city. Lagos, being Nigeria’s most populous state, presents a pressing concentration of need. With over 20 million residents, many of whom live in marginalized communities, the poverty here is visible and urgent. Choosing Lagos for this phase of the project enables us to reach a broad number of people while also leveraging the strong network of volunteers, partners, and supporters we have here.
More importantly, Lagos has shaped my worldview. The streets of this city taught me resilience and stirred in me a passion for humanity. Launching this project here is my way of giving back to the place that raised me. However, with God’s help and the support of kind-hearted individuals, we will carry this mission of feeding, educating, and restoring dignity across every corner of Nigeria.
Which State is next?
The next location for Project 3,000 Vol. 3 is Abeokuta, Ogun State. We chose Abeokuta because many people there are still going through serious hardship. After doing this project in Ibadan (Vol. 1) and Lagos (Vol. 2), we believe it’s time to take the message of love and support to Ogun State. It’s also important to note that we do this massive feeding program twice every year, aside from other ongoing efforts like paying school fees, and helping people in desperate need. To make Vol. 3 a reality, we need sponsors and partners to join us. With your help, we can bring hope to thousands again.
Considering the proportion of individuals that your program, “Project 3000Launch,” has supported, what is your overall evaluation of the Nigerian population living below suitable life standards?
From what we’ve seen through Project 3,000, the number of people in Nigeria living below a good life standard is sadly very high. Many families struggle to feed themselves, and a lot of children go to school without books, uniforms, or even food. Even though we have helped thousands, it still feels like a drop in the ocean. This shows how serious and urgent the situation is. More support, unity, and action are needed to lift more people out of poverty and give them a chance for a better life. That’s why we are committed to doing more and calling on others to join us in this mission.
Do you intend to partner with other international agencies or the government to reduce poverty levels?
Yes, we do. We strongly believe that working together with international agencies, the government, and even other NGOs will help us reach more people and reduce poverty faster. We are open to partnerships and support from anyone who shares our vision. With more hands, we can do more and change more lives. It’s not a one-man job, it requires teamwork and collaboration.
A lot of funds have been channeled into this programme, how are you sourcing or generating funds?
To be sincere, Project 3000 Vol. 2 has cost us several millions of naira, and about 80% of that came from my personal money. I believe in what we are doing, and I’ve committed my own resources to make sure lives are touched. Thankfully, some of my friends and supporters from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and even within Nigeria who truly believe in this vision have also supported and partnered with us to make this possible. Their encouragement means a lot. However, to continue this mission and reach even more people, we still need more sponsors and partners to support us financially. The need is great, and with more hands, we can do much more.
Has your personal background and upbringing influenced your action in helping to ameliorate the vulnerable individuals?
I came from a very humble beginning, and my family went through serious hardship. I know what it means to be hungry, to lack school fees, and to watch your parents struggle just to survive. Because of what I went through, I made a vow that if God ever helped me, I would help others. So everything I do today to support the vulnerable comes from a deep place in my heart. I understand their pain because I’ve been there before.
What motivates you to continue to push yourself and strive for other people’s happiness even when it is not convenient?
What motivates me is the joy I see on people’s faces when they are helped, that smile from a child who receives school materials, the relief on a mother’s face when her family gets a good meal, or the gratitude from someone who never expected support. Even when it’s not convenient, I remind myself that I’ve been in that place of need before, and someone helped me too. I keep going because I believe that true success is not just about what you have, but how many lives you can touch with what you have. That fulfillment keeps me moving.
As a go-getter, have you considered going into the political terrain, from all indications you have all it takes to be a good politician?
Yes, I’ve thought about it. I believe politics can be a powerful platform to create lasting change and serve people better. However, the kind of politics we have in Nigeria today is sadly endangering lives instead of improving them.
That’s why I have chosen to focus on charity and direct empowerment through my foundation for now. But if the opportunity for genuine, value-driven leadership arises in the future and it aligns with my purpose and principles, then we shall see. For me, the goal has always been to touch lives and bring hope to the people, in any way possible.
I also truly wish that the Nigerian government would begin to give more opportunities to the youth, to allow them lead and bring fresh, positive ideas into the system. There are so many brilliant Nigerian youths, even in the diaspora, with impressive ideas and the passion to govern right. If we create space for them, this country can experience real transformation.
How do you stay grounded and connected to your roots and community, despite your high-profile status?
! stay grounded by never forgetting where I came from. I grew up in poverty and experienced what it means to lack even the basic things of life. That memory keeps me humble and reminds me every day why I do what I do. Spending quality time with my wife and children also helps me stay balanced and focused.
My family is my peace and my greatest support system. I stay connected to my community by always being among the people and not just during big events, but even in everyday moments. I listen to them, I share with them, and I walk with them. Titles don’t move me; people do. Knowing that someone somewhere is counting on me keeps my feet on the ground and my heart in the right place.
Can you share a moment when you faced a major setback or failure in your career, and how you overcame it?
Yes, I’ve had my share of setbacks but one that stands out was during the early years of building my real estate company, Harvesters Homes and Properties Ltd. There was a time I invested heavily into a major property project, acquiring several hectares of land with a trusted partner.
Unfortunately, along the line, that same partner attempted to set me up just to claim my entire portion of the land. It was a deep betrayal that almost shattered me emotionally and financially. He used lies and connections to push me out of the picture, but by the grace of God, the truth came out. Legal processes were initiated, and thankfully, justice prevailed.
That painful experience taught me a lot about trust, due diligence, and spiritual sensitivity. It also drew me closer to God, who truly came through for me when I was at my lowest. It was one of the biggest tests of my career, but instead of breaking me, it built me. I became stronger, wiser, and more focused. Today, I don’t just work with people because they are skilled or familiar, I look for integrity and shared values. And I carry those same lessons into my charity work, knowing how important it is to protect your purpose, even in the face of betrayal.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge you overcame?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve ever overcome was breaking free from the cycle of poverty that defined my early life. Climbing out of that situation wasn’t easy. It took years of hard work, sacrifice, prayer, and staying focused despite setbacks.
I had to push through rejection, betrayal, and even moments of deep confusion, especially in my career and business journey. But by God’s grace, I stayed the course. Overcoming poverty wasn’t just about having money, it was about changing my mindset, building a purpose-driven life, and creating opportunities for others.
That experience shaped who I am today and fuels everything I do, especially through the Renewed Impactful Minds Catalyst Foundation (RIMCF). It’s the reason why feeding the hungry, paying school fees, and supporting the vulnerable is not just charity to me, it’s personal.
Can you briefly share a moment when you had to take a stand or speak out on a controversial issue, and how you handled the fallout?
There was a critical moment in my leadership journey when I had to make a very difficult decision to remove certain members from my team. These individuals were active but carried a lot of negative energy that was endangering the growth and morale of the entire group.
Their focus was mostly on personal gain rather than the collective mission, which was detrimental to the progress we aimed to achieve. Removing them was not easy because they were like a caucus, but I knew that for the sake of honesty, integrity, and the positive environment I wanted to cultivate, I had to act decisively. Since then, those individuals have struggled to reintegrate elsewhere and often regret their attitude and the consequences of their actions.
This experience reinforced my conviction that I must surround myself with people who operate with transparency and selflessness. In another situation, I also had to publicly challenge a local policy that was adversely affecting access to education for underserved children.
Speaking out invited criticism from some local officials, but I prioritized the welfare of the children and community over convenience. I managed the backlash by staying focused on constructive dialogue and collaborating with community leaders to find alternative solutions. Both experiences taught me that true leadership demands courage to make tough calls and to stand firmly for what is right, even if it’s unpopular. Maintaining a culture of integrity and service remains my top priority.
What sort of legacy do you hope to leave behind?
I hope to leave behind a legacy of impact and a life that truly made a difference in the lives of others. I want to be remembered as someone who didn’t just talk, but acted. Someone who lifted others when they had nothing, and gave hope to the hopeless.
Through Renewed Impactful Minds Catalyst Foundation (RIMCF), the land I donated for farming, the countless children whose school fees were paid, the hungry people who were fed, and the families who got land to build homes. I want all these to speak louder than any title I’ve held.
My legacy should inspire others to use whatever they have, no matter how small, to make life better for someone else. That’s the kind of name I want to leave behind.
