* Nikkei climbs 1.2 pct to above 9,800 * Heads for its best February performance in two decades * Panasonic climbs after naming new president By Dominic Lau TOKYO, Feb 29 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average climbed above 9,800 on Wednesday for the first time since last August on the back of Wall Street gains, extending a rally of more than 10 percent this month and heading for its best February performance in two decades. Banks were among the top performers as the mar