In Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, JEMASH Media, Ms Jemiriye Adeniji, has debunked the impression that casual jobs by young female graduates and undergraduates as ushers were synonymous with prostitution.

Ms Adeniji, an employer of ushers, said that the impression was wrong. Saying I run a model agency and source for ushers for organisations that want things to be well-organised.

“It is about helping people not to get up from their seats at events and giving them what they want at such events’’.

“It is just about people being helpful at event venues and I do not encourage the girls to collect complimentary cards from people or drop their phone numbers.

“I always tell them that they should maintain their dignity, know that they are there to work and not to romance anybody. “As for modelling, we know that they showcase wears,’’ she said.

Adeniji said that it was a dignified job and what people said about the job of ushers was not true.

According to source, she said that she usually screened the girls, monitored what they did and if she found any of them wanting, she would sack that person.

“I have lawyers and communicators that train them, sign bonds with them to be of good behaviour and what they should be paid.

“They earn as much as N5, 000 and above for any job, because they have to use the money for their education and to also take care of themselves,’’ she said.

Adeniji also said that if they worked late, up to 10 p.m., for instance, accommodation would be provided and they would all stay together, so there would be no way anyone of them could go astray.

“Even outside Lagos, accommodation is also provided, so the issue of anybody taking advantage of them is eliminated,’’ she said.

The Chief Executive Officer, Aries Usherettes Events, Chioma Peters,  also said that it was not true that girls serving as ushers were prostitutes.

“I am a Christian, and I bring in my Christian faith into everything I do. So, I cannot encourage all those bad things people associate with what we do.

“Many of them, with the lingering ASUU strike, are bored staying at home now and they want to work, so they call me most times to know if there is any job to be done.

“And if there is any ushering job, I call them up to do it and they are paid N5,000 each time they work,‘’ she added.